少林，作為中華武術的重要發源地之一，一直都在中華武術界里享有至高的榮譽。但當國際奧委會把武術作為特設項目，很多中國人都期待著少林武僧在2008年北京奧運賽場上一展身手時，少林，這個千百年來屹立不倒的中華武術巨人，卻保持“沉默”。

Kung fu is perhaps the epitome of martial arts and its growing popularity means that wushu will feature at the Olympics in Beijing in August next year. But the world's most famous practitioners, the monks of the ancient Shaolin temple, won't be taking part in the competition because they say their brand of martial arts is not about competition.[Agencies]

專題推薦：詞解十七大

The kung fu master's blind eyes as he puts his pupil through the graceful paces of martial-arts skills, the clash of a gong, you can almost smell the incense.

Kung fu is perhaps the epitome of martial arts and its growing popularity means that wushu, as it is known in China, will feature at the Olympics in Beijing in August next year. But the world's most famous practitioners, the monks of the ancient Shaolin temple, won't be taking part in the competition because they say their brand of martial arts is not about competition.

Olympic organizers say kung fu will be showcased at the summer games in August next year in a competition, though not as an official Olympic sport. "Chinese wushu belongs to competitive sports, whereas Shaolin wushu belongs to traditional martial arts. The two have different natures, standards and connotations," Qian Daliang, the general manager of Henan Shaolin Temple Development, told local media.

"Performance in Chinese martial arts can be quantified, but Shaolin wushu cannot be measured in that way as it contains Buddhist elements and showcases a harmonious combination of Buddhism and kung fu," Mr Qian added.

The Shaolin Temple in the city of Dengfeng, in the central Chinese province of Henan, was immortalised in the 1970s programme Kung Fu and has been transformed into an entertainment industry all of its own, even hosting its own martial arts reality television show.

The Temple has featured in scores of Hong Kong and mainland martial arts movies. The Shaolin style was expanded over the years from 72 basic fighting movements to 170 moves, divided into five styles named after the animal the movements were supposed to resemble or represent: the Tiger, Leopard, Snake, Dragon and Crane.

"In ancient times, people practiced Shaolin wushu to resist outsiders, not for competitive purposes," Mr Qian said. But, he added, the Shaolin would support the event "in a cultural and spiritual way" and they would definitely send martial-art monks to the opening ceremony of the Olympics if they receive an invitation.

Among the visitors to the Temple were the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and the Olympics chief Jacques Rogge. The temple has dispatched "standing martial monks" to more than 20 countries, whose function is to conduct training and exchange programmes there with the aim "to spread the word of Buddhism and the Shaolin culture".

There are more than a million learners of Shaolin kung fu around the world, and since it built its first centre of Shaolin culture in Berlin in 2001, the Shaolin Temple has established more than 10 centres and branches. Last year, central China made kung fu compulsory in secondary schools.

The Chinese Olympic Committee vice-chairman, Zhang Faqiang, confirmed this week that wushu will be featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Mr Zhang was quoted as saying that it will be neither a medal sport or a mere demonstration.

In March last year, the Temple hosted the K-Star Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition, which put 108 martial artists through their paces and offered the winners a shot at stardom. The martial arts enthusiasts are ranked by virtue, kung fu ability and artistry; 108 is an auspicious number, referring to the 108 heroes of the classic text The Water Margin.

The children at the monastery put themselves though a terrible time. These children, aged between four and 10, follow a strict discipline, with fitness training, stretching, weapons and wushu training from 5.30 in the morning until 9.30 at night, six days a week.

The children are handed over to the kung fu schools by their parents. It is a great privilege for them to do the three-year course because they are more or less guaranteed a job at the end of it. There is also the opportunity to join one of the Shaolin troupes touring the world. In some ways they have a better chance of getting a job with good kung fu skills than a university graduate.

（Agencies/China Daily）

Vocabulary:

epitome: 縮影，集中體現

in scores ：大批地

Leopard ：豹

stardom ：演員的身份

troupe：劇團

（英語點津 Celene 編輯）