| Zhōu persecution of Buddhism 577 - Shaolin Temple destroyed and closed. 580 - Shaolin Temple opened and reconstructed. |
| Táng persecution of Buddhism 845 - Shaolin Temple destroyed and closed. 846 - Shaolin Temple opened and reconstructed. |
| Later Zhōu persecution of Buddhism 954 - Shaolin Temple closed. 959 - Shaolin Temple opened. |
| 1553-1555 Expeditions against pirates (Wōkòu 倭寇). |
Shaolin Temple Democratic Management Committee
After 1950, the State Bureau of Cultural Relics (SBCR) was established to protect relics, archaeological sites, and assist in the development of museums. However, it languished during the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. SBCR's mandate was revitalized with the establishment of the State Cultural Relics Enterprises Management Bureau in 1973. As the Cultural Revolution ended, management authority of the Shaolin Monastery fell under the jurisdiction of a tiny department known as the Cultural Relics Preservation Institute (Wénwù Bǎoguǎn Suǒ 文物保管所), a neglected division of Dēngfēng (登封) Cultural Heritage Bureau.
The number of tourists visiting Shaolin Monastery each year, and the revenue they generated, was relatively minuscule from 1975 to 1982. The temple remained in a rather sad state of disrepair. Then in 1982, Wǔshù (武术) champion Jet Li appeared in the film "Shaolin Temple", which was filmed on location at the monastery. That film made Jet Li an international star and made Shaolin an instantly recognizable name worldwide.
Suddenly, multitudes of people were making the pilgrimage to Shaolin, from both China and abroad. The rapid increase in revenue created by the activity did not go unnoticed by government officials. As a matter of face, and financial gain, government bureaucrats deemed it wise to assist in promoting the continued growth and prosperity of Shaolin Monastery. Management authority for the temple was returned, from Cultural Relics Preservation Institute, to the monks of Shaolin Monastery on April 1, 1984.
By this time, the Shaolin Temple Democratic Management Committee (Shàolín Sì Mínzhǔ Guǎnlǐ Wěiyuánhuì 少林寺民主管理委员会) had been established. This committee included Venerable Masters Shì Sùxǐ (释素喜) and Shì Sùyún (释素云), two elderly and highly respected monks. They were among fourteen monks who returned to the temple, following the Cultural Revolution, with the intent of restoring Shaolin tradition. Sùxǐ and Sùyún entered Shaolin Monastery in the early 1900’s and studied with monks who's masters predated the 1900's, namely Shì Zhēnxù (释贞绪).
Venerable Shì Xíngzhèng (释行正) was officially inaugurated as abbot in October 1986. December 13, government appointed construction crews began major renovations of the Shaolin Temple. Subsequently, Xíngzhèng (释行正), retired from his position and appointed Shì Déchán (释德禅) honorary abbot. Xíngzhèng passed away on August 27, 1987, and was interred at Tǎlín (塔林).
Venerable Master Shì Déchán (释德禅), like Xíngzhèng, was an elderly and highly respected monk. He served as abbot from 1986 to 1993. Shì Déchán passed away in March 1993.
Following Shì Déchán, Venerable Master Shì Sùxǐ served as abbot and as director of the management committee in 1993. Dharma Masters Yìnsōng (印松) and Yǒnggān (永乾) served as deputy directors. Unfortunately, Sùxǐ was contending with the ravages of Parkinson's Disease. Aside from health concerns, it was never his wish to be more than a common monk. Administrative duties and leadership positions were not for him. Sùxǐ retired from these positions in 1998. Sùxǐ passed away on February 9, 2006.
Following Sùxǐ, Venerable Master Shì Sùyún served as abbot in 1998. However, he was older than Sùxǐ and was also falling ill. His tenure did not last long. Sùyún passed away in 1999.
Another member of the Shaolin Temple Democratic Management Committee was much younger. Shì Yǒngxìn (释永信) possessed the necessary qualifications, youth, and knowledge. A decree was issued by the Buddhist Association of China (Zhōngguó Fójiào Xiéhuì 中国佛教协会) in Běijīng (北京). Yǒngxìn would become the new director. In 1999, Yǒngxìn became director of the management committee and was officially inaugurated as abbot.
Honorary versus Official
Prior to Xíngzhèng, Shaolin Monastery lacked an official abbot for over three centuries. Before that, Venerable Shi Bǐàn Hǎikuān (彼岸海宽) was the last official abbot of Shaolin Temple. Hǎikuān was appointed in 1639. However due to an issue with a foot malady, Hǎikuān was not officially inaugurated until 1646.
In 1661, Hǎikuān passed the abbacy to his student, Chúnbái Yǒngyù (纯白永玉). However, Yǒngyù was never officially inaugurated. Hǎikuān passed away in 1666 and was interred at Tǎlín (塔林). Hǎikuān's pagoda still stands in Tǎlín, the last one before Xíngzhèng. Perhaps for political reasons, no other Shaolin Temple abbot was officially inaugurated under the Qīng Dynasty or the Republic of China. There have been a quite a few honorary "acting" abbots since Hǎikuān, but only Xíngzhèng and Yǒngxìn (永信) were official.
So what's the distinction between honorary and official? To the best of our knowledge, not much of significance. The essential difference is whether or not the person's name was entered into the official records as abbot. Additionally, an Abbotship Inauguration Ceremony is typically held for an official abbot. Other than these details, there doesn't seem to be much difference.
Traditionally, each abbot would appoint his own successor. Failing to do so, before retirement or death, would result in someone having to serve as an acting or honorary abbot until a candidate could be officially selected to fill the office. Although, depending on the era, appointment of an abbot may have been subject to government approval. Of course at times, abbots were certainly appointed by imperial edict without regard to the wishes of monks or the previous abbot.
Far as we're concerned, whoever performs the duties of the office deserves the respect, honor, and recognition associated with the title. Following that logic, every person who does the job should be recognized as an official abbot.
The number of tourists visiting Shaolin Monastery each year, and the revenue they generated, was relatively minuscule from 1975 to 1982. The temple remained in a rather sad state of disrepair. Then in 1982, Wǔshù (武术) champion Jet Li appeared in the film "Shaolin Temple", which was filmed on location at the monastery. That film made Jet Li an international star and made Shaolin an instantly recognizable name worldwide.
Suddenly, multitudes of people were making the pilgrimage to Shaolin, from both China and abroad. The rapid increase in revenue created by the activity did not go unnoticed by government officials. As a matter of face, and financial gain, government bureaucrats deemed it wise to assist in promoting the continued growth and prosperity of Shaolin Monastery. Management authority for the temple was returned, from Cultural Relics Preservation Institute, to the monks of Shaolin Monastery on April 1, 1984.
By this time, the Shaolin Temple Democratic Management Committee (Shàolín Sì Mínzhǔ Guǎnlǐ Wěiyuánhuì 少林寺民主管理委员会) had been established. This committee included Venerable Masters Shì Sùxǐ (释素喜) and Shì Sùyún (释素云), two elderly and highly respected monks. They were among fourteen monks who returned to the temple, following the Cultural Revolution, with the intent of restoring Shaolin tradition. Sùxǐ and Sùyún entered Shaolin Monastery in the early 1900’s and studied with monks who's masters predated the 1900's, namely Shì Zhēnxù (释贞绪).
Venerable Shì Xíngzhèng (释行正) was officially inaugurated as abbot in October 1986. December 13, government appointed construction crews began major renovations of the Shaolin Temple. Subsequently, Xíngzhèng (释行正), retired from his position and appointed Shì Déchán (释德禅) honorary abbot. Xíngzhèng passed away on August 27, 1987, and was interred at Tǎlín (塔林).
Venerable Master Shì Déchán (释德禅), like Xíngzhèng, was an elderly and highly respected monk. He served as abbot from 1986 to 1993. Shì Déchán passed away in March 1993.
Following Shì Déchán, Venerable Master Shì Sùxǐ served as abbot and as director of the management committee in 1993. Dharma Masters Yìnsōng (印松) and Yǒnggān (永乾) served as deputy directors. Unfortunately, Sùxǐ was contending with the ravages of Parkinson's Disease. Aside from health concerns, it was never his wish to be more than a common monk. Administrative duties and leadership positions were not for him. Sùxǐ retired from these positions in 1998. Sùxǐ passed away on February 9, 2006.
Following Sùxǐ, Venerable Master Shì Sùyún served as abbot in 1998. However, he was older than Sùxǐ and was also falling ill. His tenure did not last long. Sùyún passed away in 1999.
Another member of the Shaolin Temple Democratic Management Committee was much younger. Shì Yǒngxìn (释永信) possessed the necessary qualifications, youth, and knowledge. A decree was issued by the Buddhist Association of China (Zhōngguó Fójiào Xiéhuì 中国佛教协会) in Běijīng (北京). Yǒngxìn would become the new director. In 1999, Yǒngxìn became director of the management committee and was officially inaugurated as abbot.
Honorary versus Official
Prior to Xíngzhèng, Shaolin Monastery lacked an official abbot for over three centuries. Before that, Venerable Shi Bǐàn Hǎikuān (彼岸海宽) was the last official abbot of Shaolin Temple. Hǎikuān was appointed in 1639. However due to an issue with a foot malady, Hǎikuān was not officially inaugurated until 1646.
In 1661, Hǎikuān passed the abbacy to his student, Chúnbái Yǒngyù (纯白永玉). However, Yǒngyù was never officially inaugurated. Hǎikuān passed away in 1666 and was interred at Tǎlín (塔林). Hǎikuān's pagoda still stands in Tǎlín, the last one before Xíngzhèng. Perhaps for political reasons, no other Shaolin Temple abbot was officially inaugurated under the Qīng Dynasty or the Republic of China. There have been a quite a few honorary "acting" abbots since Hǎikuān, but only Xíngzhèng and Yǒngxìn (永信) were official.
So what's the distinction between honorary and official? To the best of our knowledge, not much of significance. The essential difference is whether or not the person's name was entered into the official records as abbot. Additionally, an Abbotship Inauguration Ceremony is typically held for an official abbot. Other than these details, there doesn't seem to be much difference.
Traditionally, each abbot would appoint his own successor. Failing to do so, before retirement or death, would result in someone having to serve as an acting or honorary abbot until a candidate could be officially selected to fill the office. Although, depending on the era, appointment of an abbot may have been subject to government approval. Of course at times, abbots were certainly appointed by imperial edict without regard to the wishes of monks or the previous abbot.
Far as we're concerned, whoever performs the duties of the office deserves the respect, honor, and recognition associated with the title. Following that logic, every person who does the job should be recognized as an official abbot.
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