Martial arts need more followers

Many people know about Chinese martial arts from Kungfu movies and films about the famous Shaolin temple. Many young devotees go to the temple and martial arts schools to pursue their dreams.

Chinese Kongfu, with its marriage of style and strength, power and speed, is considered the main martial art around the world. Zhang Xiang has been crazy about it since he was about ten, influenced by stars such as Jacky Chan and Jet Li.

Zhang Xiang, Primary School Student, said, "I have learned many free-hand boxing skills and armed boxing skills here. I was eager to practice kongfu when I saw familiar stars on TV. Now my dream has come true."

Shaolin temple is considered the birthplace of Chinese martial arts. Master Xue Ming has been coaching traditional martial arts at the Southern Shaolin temple since 2008. He has trained more than 120 young students during the past 4 years.But he feels more still needs to be done.

Master Xueming, Guanghua Temple, said, "In order to promote our traditional martial arts and their culture, training here is limited. After all this is a temple rather than a kongfu school. But we hope for more support to carry it forward."

For these young followers, living a buddhist life style is another experience. Their understanding about kongfu is shaped by buddhist teaching. However, for those who want to be professionals, studying at a martial arts school is necessary. With modern sports facilities and professional training, this martial art school has attracted more than 400 students. They must practise for at least 2 hours every day.

Huang Weiwei, student of Putian Shaolin Martial Arts School, said, "I will keep practising martial arts and go to a sports university after graduating from here. In the future I want to be a martial arts coach, or be an actor in the martial arts movies if I can."

Besides keeping healthy and fit, these young students have learnt to be brave and persistent when facing difficulties. After all, their future will have a great impact on the spread of traditional martial arts.

Temples and schools have been playing an important role in cultivating the martial arts. Not all of these practitioners will go on to have a career in Chinese Kongfu, but they will have benefited from their years of training. As a unique aspect of China's culture, the martial arts need more young people to keep the tradition alive.