(oriental music) - [Narrator] Shaolin Temple. Home of an ancient sect of warrior monks, proud defenders of a
thousand-year-old tradition until now. (upbeat beat) Today, a new generation is
reinventing Shaolin Temple as the Kung Fu monks take on
a challenge like none other. (Bo grunts)
(metal breaking) Doing business in the 21st century. (indistinct) (monks grunting) (dramatic music)
(warrior grunts) The Kung Fu monks of Shaolin Temple. (metal clanging) For more than a thousand years, they've protected China's emperors and defended their nation with their dazzling fighting skills. (drum music) (monks grunting) A formidable legacy, (monk groans) and a lot to live up to if you're only 10 years old. (speaking Chinese) Welcome to boot camp Shaolin style. - Two hands on the foot. Straighten the body. - [Narrator] This is Lu Jen Jong. One of Charlene's youngest novice monks. Jen Jong lived with his
parents in Fujian province until he was selected for
a place at the temple. That was a year ago. Since then he's lived at Shaolin Temple with more than 40 other novice monks. All of them handpicked from
Kung Fu schools all over China. Training three hours in the morning. Two and a half hours in the afternoon. 365 days a year. Always under the watchful eye of Yan Chi. Shaolin drill sergeant. - Point your feet straight. - [Narrator] His job to
turn this bunch of kids into real Kung Fu monks. - Keep your back straight. Kick properly. Hurry up, hurry up. Faster, faster, faster. - [Narrator] The Chinese words, Kung Fu evoke honor and glory, but they translate into
English simply as hard work. (upbeat music) It's a punishing regime,
even for these boys The best of the best. (boys groans) That's why Shaolin calls
its novices the hopefuls. Back home each of these boys was a star, but now they're all
competing with each other. Each hoping he'll be one of the few who will eventually get
what they've come here for. (dramatic music) A place on the A team. Shaolin performance
teams travel the world, captivating audiences with
dazzling Kung Fu displays. (upbeat music) It's a ticket out of rural
China to a life of stardom. But there's only one way to get there. (gong toils) (oriental music) By coming here. Shaolin Monastery Nestled in the song Songshan mountains, 846 kilometers Southwest of Beijing And a long lonely thousand
kilometers from Jen Jong's house. Life at Shaolin's a big
adjustment for these boys. (indistinct chatter) And Jen Jong still adjusting. - When I first arrived here,
I missed my home a lot. I cried every day after
a while I got used to it. (keyboard clicking) I have a lot of friends
in martial art class. They treat me like a little brother. - [Narrator] One of Jen Jong's
big brothers at the temple is 18 year old Jo Jin-Bo. He's been here for six years and has his own plan to
make the traveling team. (suspenseful music) Jin-Bo specialty is iron Kung Fu. To master it a monk
must train to numb pain from a specific part of his body. And Jin-Bo has chosen his head. - It was very hard in the beginning. Every class we stood on our heads at least for half an hour. It hurts so much. I wanted to cry, but I didn't
want my teacher to see me. So I cried a night in my bed. - [Narrator] Jin-Bo's taken
the pain for a full two years of hard training. Hoping that mastering iron Kung Fu will help him beat the competition and to make an exhibition team. Seeking to fulfill his Shaolin quest by reaching deep into Kung Fu traditions. (Bo grunts)
(metal breaks) - I want to travel around
the world and perform. Make Shaolin Temple even more famous. - [Narrator] But another
of young Jen Jong's mate, Dong Dong is hoping he'll become a star by doing something never done before. (upbeat music) Dong Dong's extraordinary
talents have earned him a place in a very special touring team. (speaking Chinese) For the first time in
over a thousand years Shaolin monks are learning
movements created by outsiders. Western outsiders. - The other one has the (indistinct) - [Narrator] Belgian
choreographers, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Polish composer, Sherman Broska have spent two months here
developing a new Shaolin show for one of the world's most
prestigious dance venues. London's Sadler's Well. It's part Shaolin Kung Fu,
part interpretive dance, but it's all new for these monks. - It's very, very heavy
scene for them to do because they used to normally
do one little sequence and then say, thank you and go. And now they have to keep on moving and moving and moving until exhaustion. - [Narrator] As if
concept of marrying dance and Kung Fu wasn't radical
enough, Sidi just decided to introduce some new prompts. 21 very large boxes. - And with 21 boxes, you can
create an infinite number of constructions. You could create a temple,
you could create a graveyard. you can create a zoo with cages. There's so many ways. (indistinct chatters) - [Narrator] As they struggle
with the new prompts, the dancer monks a mindful
have got just two months left before they've got to
perform this never before attempted routine in
front of one of the most sophisticated audiences on earth. (laughing) (oriental dramatic music)
(indistinct chatters) And before they can leave for London they've got to please
and even tougher critic. (monks praying) Shaolin Senior Abbott, Shi Yongxin, looks as traditional as
any other Buddhist monk. Especially this morning. As he presides over one of
Shaolin's holiest rituals. Every year in March Shaolin
honors it's deceased Abbotts. At a cluster of 200 stone pagodas standing to the West of the temple, each a memorial to a former Abbot. Shi Yongxin's predecessor, Shi Xingzheng died in 2007. (monks praying) Shi Xingzheng pagoda is carved with images of the changes he saw in his lifetime. Jet air travel, computers, video cameras, icons of the modern world. But for Shi Yongxin coping with change is just a routine part of daily life. The Abbott is determined
that has China races into the 21st century Shaolin
temple won't be left behind. And to make sure that doesn't happen, he's changing Shaolin in
some radical new ways. Every day from dawn to dusk,
Shaolin transforms itself from Buddhist temple to Buddha land. (oriental music) One of China's top tourist destinations. For 100 Yuan, about $15 us dollars visitors get access to the inner
temples most sacred relics. And if they're willing to
part with more of their money they can take home some
officially blessed souvenirs. The chance to watch the
warrior amongst practice packs the house day after day. But the tourists aren't
the only ones watching Temple security's tight. Change has its price. - We face new challenges and missions being a tourist business. We came across a lot of
copyright infringement issues. Many businesses use the name of Shaolin without authorization. Some of them even register
it to be their own. So we have to resort a
lawsuit for the copyright. - [Narrator] As Shaolin's
apostle of change Abbott Shi Yongxin had to become more than
a spiritual leader. He's now also a brand manager looking after one of
China's best-known export, Shaolin incorporated. A multimillion dollar business with investment portfolios and property. Media, tourism and healthcare. And the brand's going global With links to temples in
Kung Fu schools in the USA and Europe. At it's corporate
headquarters, web designers and a business director
take direction from the CEO. (indistinct chatter) Despite his shaved head and saffron robes Shi Yongxin isn't like
any other Shaolin Abbott. (speaking Chinese) And the new Shaolin's worldwide fame is inspiring praise and criticism and lot of imitators. (students grunting) In the neighboring city of Deng Feng thousands of students
support a Kung Fu economy. (students grunting) Deng Feng's biggest martial arts school has two campuses and 25,000 students. All the school is promising instruction by bonafide Shaolin masters. The signs out front say "Shaolin Temple," but their huge western style buildings suggest that something's
very different and it is. These kids are learning Wushu a highly competitive
sport version of Kung Fu. Shaolin monks don't compete,
but Wushu students do. They can win trophies, but
they're not the real thing. (upbeat music) Only the most talented Wushu graduate can hope to earn a place on a
Shaolin temple display team. (crowd applauding) (crowd cheering) The best most of these
thousands can hope for is a job as a security guard or policeman. (gong toiling) (monks grunting) Even at Shaolin temple hopefuls who don't make
a traveling display team face a much tougher future. Working as martial arts
teachers at Wushu schools or hiring themselves out as bodyguards. Which is why this man's
opinion really matters. Yanda is the temple's Master
in charge of martial art monks. He decides who's got what it takes to join one of Shaolin's display team. (speaking Chinese) And he's not an easy man to impress. - There's a saying in Chinese good students come from strict teachers. The only way for them to
become successful in the future is if we are strict on them. - [Narrator] In only a few more days, Yanda and the other senior
monks will pick this year's traveling teams. All the hopefuls know that discipline will be the key to success. (suspenseful music) (indistinct chatters) Along with their teacher Yan
Chi, Jin-Bo and his mates never stopped practicing
the ancient routines. They hope will make them stars. Feets of power and endurance that defies rational explanation. (monk grunts)
(brick breaking) The monks can concentrate
their body's energy or chi into a force so powerful that over the centuries
they've dented holes in the temple floor. Only a perfect harmony of body and mind can generate that kind of power. Something the hopefuls know very well. As the big day approaches they renew their devotion to
Shaolin's Buddhist heritage. (monks grunting) (gong toils) (soft oriental music) Jin-Bo, and some of his
friends make a pilgrimage to the place where
Shaolin Kung Fu started. High up in the Songshan mountains. According to legend a Buddhist
monk called Bodhidharma Dharmo meditated in a cave
high above the monastery for nine years. Developing the world famous tradition the Chinese called Chan
and the Japanese Zen. If that's true, Dharmo would
have been all too familiar with the aches and pains
of prolonged sitting. Which is why the legends say he invented a set of body movements to
help relieve the strain. (upbeat oriental music) Movement that evolved into Kung Fu. Today, Shaolin Kung Fu has over 700 moves. You can't do things like this unless your mind has mastered it. (monks grunting) (dramatic music) Even a today's Shaolin
without spiritual commitment there's no success. (oriental music) - We choose people,
firstly by their ethics. They have to be able to bear hardships, respect their elders and
they have to be religious. If a monk in Charlotte is not Buddhist, we cannot call him a martial arts monk. - [Narrator] Today, Jen Jong is getting some religious instruction from one of the temples
oldest ordained monks. 60 year old Shia Yangchan spent
most of his life at Shaolin and offers his wisdom to young hopefuls. - [Shia] You study martial
arts as well as meditation. You need to integrate into martial arts. - [Jen] What is Chan teacher? - [Shia] Chan is everywhere. There's Chan when you lie and
when you stand, when you walk, and when you sit. Is quite magical and quite meaningful. - [Narrator] Jen Jong listens respectfully and tries his best to
practice Can principles as part of his Kung Fu training. But he and his friends aren't here just to become Buddhist monks. (dramatic music) - Come on get him! - [Narrator] Shaolin's roots
may be ancient and sacred but today Hollywood's
an effective recruiter. Hopefuls like Jen Jong dream
of being the next Kung Fu mega star. - My favorite Kung Fu star
in films is Jackie Chan. I watch a lot of his films - [Narrator] Today a
generation gap separates Shaolin novices from the older monks. Shi Yongxin didn't grow
up playing computer games and watching action flakes. And Jin Jong cannot imagine
what his teacher saw and survived. (blasting) The Wars and upheavals
of 20th century China nearly killed Shaolin For centuries, Kung Fu had
been a powerful defense against all enemies. But it was no match for
machine guns and artillery. (cannon shooting) In the 1920s battling
warlords tore China apart and Shaolin became a casualty of war. In 1928 a local malicious
set fire to its main halls. Destroying Buddhist icons
and sacred scriptures. Leaving a thousand year
old tradition in ruins. When Shi Yong Xian began his
life as a Shaolin novice, there were only 15 monks left. It was a time he remembers all too well. - When I first came here,
I worked in the fields. Everything was destroyed. It was a painful time, we all cried. - [Narrator] Shaolin
Temple seemed destined for a slow death. And then in the 1980s,
that destiny changed. Thanks to two men. (speaking Chinese) One was Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. Who proclaimed that to
get rich is glorious. (crowd applauding) And unleash China's boundless
entrepreneurial energy after decades of Marxist suppression. The other was Jet Li. (speaking foreign language) In 1982, Li was an unknown Hong Kong actor and martial arts expert. When he starred in "The Shaolin Temple." A cinematic tale of honor and revenge showcasing his dazzling Kung Fu skills. And lionizing ancient
Shaolin warrior monks. (upbeat music) Since the 1980s China's exploding economy and the worldwide rage
for martial arts films have lifted Shaolin out of the ashes and thrusted into the 21st century. (gentle music) Abbott Shi Yongxin's mission is managing his temples reincarnation
in the new China. And that's taking him
where no Shaolin Abbott's gone before. (indistinct chatters) The Communist Party's
National People's Congress in Beijing. (speaking Chinese) Shi Yongxin attending as a
delegate from Henan province representing Shaolin interests
in a sea of worldly power. (Speaking Chinese) (indistinct chatters) He's something of a star here. People know he's a mover and a shaker. And he's rumored to be
one of the country's more influential men. Star power, an open mind, and
the government's patronage have all helped sure Shi Yongxin to resurrect his ancient
temples fame and fortune. (upbeat music) Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui about to find out if his avant-garde dance routine will push the Shaolin
temple display team too far. Dong Dong and his fellow
monks have been working hard to realize their dream. A standing ovation from an
adoring London audience. And the temples always
encouraged its visiting renowned choreographer to do his thing. - Came here in May. I met Master Yanda who was
not at all what I expected of a monk actually. When I was telling him
that some of the monks the way they move reminded
me of some hip hop dancers that I knew. He was like, "Yeah but if
you want to work with them in a hip hop manner, go for it." And I was like, I was looking
at him like, are you joking? (soft music) And now this in. - [Narrator] Sidi is hoping
is never before attempted blend of dance and Kung Fu will really connect Western
audiences with a Shaolin monks. - I just hope it will
be a nice performance. And I think it's gonna be, I think it will be surprising in the sense that it will be surprising for some people how close they are to these monks - [Narrator] But will it
connect with Abbott Shi Yongxin? If he doesn't like it the London Premiere will be over before it begins. (all applauding) Iron monk Jin-Bo's pursuing
stardom the old fashioned way. But that doesn't make
his quest any easier. (speaking Chinese) (Bo grunts)
(metal breaking) Jin-Bo might be able to
break iron bars with his head but he needs more than one trick
to make the traveling team. Kung Fu stars must master one of Shaolin's traditional weapons. Staffs swords or chains. (upbeat music) Jin-Bo's specialty is
the broad sword in chain A potentially lethal combination, except that these weapons were
never meant to take lives. Buddhism, discourages violence, and the killing of any living
thing is strictly prohibited. If you take a closer look
at Jin-Bo's sword and chain you'll see they're made from wood, tin or some other non-lethal material. Shaolin signature weapon is
a wooden staff called a bung. (dramatic oriental music) Hundreds of years ago
during the Ming dynasty the martial monks disarmed
their opponents with it. In those days, they did plenty of fighting always with the emperor's permission against enemies who tried
to plunder Shaolin's riches and destroy its political power. (dramatic oriental music) (monks grunting) At one period, the temple standing army numbered 2000 warrior monks. (monks grunting) That's why weapon training
survives to this day as a prestigious part of a
Kung Fu Star's performance. And a commemoration of
Shaolin's fierce determination to survive. (drum music) In less than a week Yanda
will make his decision on who will make the A
squad and travel the world performing Shaolin Kung Fu. And who will have to go
back to basic training. - The mind, the breath and the strength must work together to win. (monks grunting) - [Narrator] Jin- Bo and
Jen Jong have high hopes, but just days before the big decision, Jen Jong suffers some seriously bad luck. - My foot is injured. - How did that happen? - I fell in a ditch when I
was jogging the other day. - Does it hurt? - Yes. - Jin-Bo, take Jen Jong to the doctor. (speaking Chinese) - [Narrator] The timing couldn't be worse. One word from the doctor
could keep Jen Jong off the display team
and cripple his dreams. - When did you twist your ankle? - A couple of days ago. - [Doctor] Take your shoes off. Let me have a look. - It hurts when I walk or run. (speaking Chinese) - [Narrator] The doctor's
usual prescription. Suck it up and get back to your training and prove that you're
a tough Shaolin monk. - The children here can endure a lot. Unless they are badly hurt, They will practice with injuries. - [Narrator] But Jen
Jong's ankle is badly hurt. He's going to be out of
action for at least a week. That could ruin his chances
of making the A squad and winning a place in this
year's touring display team. Suddenly Jen Jong year of hard
work could be for nothing. (ominous music) The day of decision begins
just like any other. (gong toiling) But for the novice Kung Fu monks it's the biggest day of their young lives. - Iron monk Jin-Bo is going
to need as much sustenance as he can get to prove to Yanda he's ready for selection in the A squad. But Jen Jong is going
to need more than food to help heal his injury. (monks singing) It'll take a miracle to fix
his ankle in time for practice. (oriental music) At morning training,
Jen Jong can only watch as the other hopefuls perform a routine Shaolin monks have
practiced for centuries. Seven star Kung Fu. It's the last chance to impress. (upbeat music) - The seven star routine is a required traditional
routine for every monk here. When we perform we do seven star routine because it is better looking. Wang Lu goes to South Korea. We Huchan goes to Australia? Is he on the list? (speaking Chinese) - [Narrator] Now comes the moment they've all been training for. Time for the teachers to
announce who's going back to the basics and who will
soon be packing their bags for the opportunity of a lifetime. - This afternoon, were
dividing you into two groups. (speaking Chinese) - Jin-Bo has made the A team. Soon he will realize his dream of traveling and performing
around the world. Helping make Shaolin even more famous. Jen Jong's ankle hasn't healed
and he hasn't made the cut, but Yanda and Yang Chi have
a special assignment for him. Teaching one of the new recruits. (speaking Chinese) (indistinct chatters) Today is also the day when
Shaolin's most radical new innovation will learn its fate. (suspenseful music) Shaolin's first ever
east-west dance collaboration could take the Marshall
monks in a bold new direction But first it needs the temples
official seal of approval. And that means a private performance for Abbott Shi Yongxin. The Abbott's just come back from Beijing and he's asked to see the dancers perform. If he doesn't like what he sees the rest of the world will never see it. The command's performance
is only minutes away. And Sidi's are a little anxious. - It's kind of a big thing
because he hasn't seen it except some pictures. He's seen some pictures
of the performance. I mean of the, of the ideas,
but he's never really seen which monks are in it
and what they're doing and stuff like that. So I'm very curious to
know what he thinks. (speaking Chinese) (soft music) (gentle music) (indistinct chatters) With just a simple gesture. The Abbott shows his
approval of Sidi's work. Everyone's relieved. Soon these monks will
be heading for London where there'll be footing it with the best professional
dancers in the business. Thanks to an Abbot who takes
chances and believes in change. Shi Yongxin transforming
Shaolin from cultural relic on the brink of extinction into a thriving capitalist enterprise. Some say he's ruining
Shaolin's spiritual integrity, but he's willing to take the heat. For him is Shaolin is change. - I believe our first
teacher Master Bodhidharma was alive today he
would have done the same to adapt to today's society. Only when you respect the reality and adapt to the present time
can you survive and develop. - [Narrator] Iron monk Jin-Bo
will soon be heading overseas to join the ranks of
Shaolin's top performers. (Bo grunts)
(metal breaking) (monks grunting) And young Jen Jong, his foot's healed and he's finally rejoined his friend. As they fight on for positions
in future display teams. - [Jen] I think I am not
very good at the moment. I will work harder and become better so that I can perform
all over the country. - [Narrator] Jen Jong and his classmate may not ever become fully
ordained martial monks, but after years of training
and meditation in this temple they will always take a little
bit of Shaolin with them. (gentle music) For over a thousand years it's kept its spiritual heart intact while surviving in a changing world. Now China's changing again and Shaolin is surviving, even prospering by changing with it. But for those who love this ancient place and devote their lives
to it, Shaolin Temple always will be what it always has been a fortress of enlightenment
and a sanctuary for the soul.
