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Abbot: Shaolin Temple needs to keep up with times

By Jessie Tao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-10-19 15:50

When Shi took over the temple as abbot 20 years ago, it was a little-known ancient temple. Today, the temple has under its flag a special liaison office, a temple affairs office, a website, and two commercially-run companies, and the abbot is often hailed as the 'CEO' of Shaolin Temple.

Three years ago in a piece called 'The New Shaolin Abbot' that ran on the American 'Discovery' channel, Shi was dubbed the 'CEO' of the temple.

Shi, however, claimed commercialization is not a bad thing, adding that without commerce, he circulation of goods and services would not be possible, and society would regress into a primitive state.

"It is true that I am resorting to commercialization to promoting the Shaolin culture," Shi said. "But I believe people who concentrate on hard work can understand me."

Back in 1993, Shi Yongxin took a ham manufacturer to court for promoting the ham under the brand "Shaolin," which he claimed constituted a trademark infringement. It was the first case on brand rights in China's religious circles.

Recalling the lawsuit, Shi said, "a long time ago, communication and transportation were not as convenient as today, and products were circulated in a limited area, so trademark registration was not required. With globalization comes infringement. To protect the trademark, we have to register the brand 'Shaolin.' The registration is totally protective. "

However, the Shaolin Temple brand is being taken advantage of by other businessmen. About 200 meters north of the temple, the local tourist bureau has built the Shaolin Temple Martial Arts School, and right across from that is a Zen institute that is backed by a salt company.

Many suspect such commercial aspirations will disturb the tranquility of the temple. Shi, however, believed such establishment is a result of the interplay between business and brand, likening Shaolin Temple to the American Disneyland, which is a brand as well as a business.