June Dragon Tales PDF Downlaod
SHAO LIN INSTITUTE
DRAGON TALES
Greetings From The Master:
同学们
Dear Tong Xue Men, (which means “Students” in Mandarin Chinese),
Last month you began learning about the Shaolin “core values”, Honesty, Courtesy, Honor, and Respect.
I know that you have taken these lessons to heart and are applying them to your everyday life. I am very
proud of you for the Courtesy and Respect I see you extending to others when you are at the Institute.
“Please” and “thank you” are courtesies that not only express your appreciation and gratitude, but leave a
lasting impression of you as the respectful and honorable individual you are. I want you to know that I
consider it my privilege to call you my student and I thank you for how hard you are working.
I heard a story about two of our Kung Fu students who did a kindness that was a wonderful example of
everything Shaolin values. It was so special that I want to share it with all of you. I hold it up as an
extraordinary demonstration of Respect, Honor, and one of the core values you have yet to study –
Compassion (a feeling of sincere sympathy for another person’s suffering along with the wish to relieve it)
Last month each of you picked up a Zinnia (flower) to give to your mother in celebration of
Mother’s Day. Two children from the same family brought their mother two Zinnia’s. Then they
heard that a neighbor woman whose children are grown and have moved away was going to be
all alone on Mother’s Day. The moment they heard that they both asked their mother’s
permission to give one of her Zinnias to the neighbor. Their mother was proud and delighted by
their thoughtfulness. Of course, she gave them her permission. The children presented the
Zinnia to the neighbor, wishing her a happy Mother’s Day, and bringing her great joy.
This compassionate gesture was beautiful! Compassion is a human quality we learn by observation; by
example. Our parents guide and teach us by setting good examples for us over and over again. These
children demonstrated an important life lesson that is not easy to teach because it involves “feeling”. I am so
grateful to these children and their parents for giving us the perfect example of the Warrior heart. On behalf
of all of us at the Institute, I say “thank you”.
In this newsletter you are going to learn about some core values that go to the heart of who you are.
Strength of Character, High Moral Code, and Integrity are three very important Shaolin and societal
principles. They tell the world who you are as a person and predict how you will behave in the most
challenging of situations. As you read and learn about these values I ask you to apply them to your
everyday life. Every time you have an important choice to make, think about what that choice will say about
you. Do you choose to do what is right, good, and honorable? Every time you do, you set the example for
others to follow. Do you make the right choice when nobody is watching? Every time you do, celebrate the
honorable person you are. Do you do what is right, expecting nothing in return? Every time you do, you
show the world that you have the Strength of Character, High Moral Code, and unwavering Integrity of a
Shaolin Warrior.
You are special! Wear your Integrity like the Medal of Honor that it is. The choices you make to earn it will
not always be easy ones. In truth, it’s the hard choices you make in the face of temptation that build the
greatest Strength of Character and reinforce your Moral Code of conduct. That is what makes Integrity so
priceless; it is hard won; so, not everybody has it. Remember, it is what you do, not what you say, that tells
the world who you really are.
Only you can choose to give away (compromise) your Integrity. Please, never do that. Nothing in life is
worth losing your Honor over. We all make mistakes. If you make one, own up to it, apologize for it, and
take responsibility for the consequences. Most importantly, learn from it so you do not make the same
mistake again. It is the pattern of choices you make that shapes the adult you will become. Your choices
follow you like your shadow. Make your pattern a testimony to your incredible Strength of Character, High
Moral Code, and Integrity. Make your pattern your masterpiece and sign it again and again with every
honorable decision you make.
I make this promise to you in return; here at the Institute, you will always find supportive leaders who strive to
set the example they hope you will follow. If you choose to stay on the Shaolin path, practice your lessons,
and adopt the core values as your own, I will one day invite you to become a leader like them. You will be
honored with a membership in GBSC (Gold and Black Sash Club). I will present you with a gold and black
sash that identifies you as an exceptional student and holds you up as the example for others to follow.
Every time you put on that sash, you and your outstanding achievement will be celebrated.
You are already well on your way to earning that great honor. Every time you come to class eager to learn,
you advance along the path to GBSC. Each good decision you make builds Strength of Character. Each
time you choose to do what is right and turn away from wrong (especially when ‘wrong’ looks like more fun),
you reinforce your High Moral Code. Showing Compassion, demonstrating Honesty, being Courteous,
Respectful, and Honorable (worthy of distinction) – all these things make you a person of Integrity. Keep
working hard! I look forward to the day when we will celebrate your achievement together.
Peace,
Shifu 师父
有骨氣
STRENGTH OF CHARACTER
高尚之道德守則
HIGH MORAL CODE
個人正直
PERSONAL INTEGRITY
Last month, May, we began learning about the Core Values of the
Shaolin “way of life”.
“Core values” are at the heart of Shaolin and you. They are the
values or principles that guide you and eventually will come to define
you.
When you have reached the highest level of mastery you will be
awarded a gold and black sash that recognizes and honors your
achievement. It also tells people who you are and identifies you as the example for others to follow. But to earn
the gold and black sash you must do more than just master Kung Fu movements. You must understand, adopt,
and live by the “core values” of Shaolin. These principles are the foundation of the Shaolin way of life.
Shaolin Core Values Are:
Honor
Compassion
Respect
Loyalty
Discipline
Modesty
Focus
Courtesy
Integrity
Honesty
High Moral Code
Perseverance
Courage
Strength of Character
AND
The Indomitable Shaolin Spirit
(undefeatable)
Last month we learned about Honesty, Courtesy, Honor, and Respect. This month we’re going to study three
values that go to the core of who you are, Strength of Character, High Moral Code, and Integrity.
Strength of Character – having the inner strength to do what you know is right no matter the consequences.
High Moral Code – Morals are determined by our society. They are a social code of right and wrong. A code
is a guideline by which one makes the decisions that govern their life. People with a high moral code make
decisions based on what is good, right, and honest, and that conform to the acceptable code of behavior our world
dictates.
Integrity – The most valuable thing you will ever
possess. Nobody can ever take your Integrity
from you. The only way to lose it is for YOU to give
it away.
Adherence to moral and ethical principles (good);
strength of moral character based on good, honest,
universally prized behaviors
Having Strength of Character, High Moral Code, and Integrity is not
easy. Standing up for what you believe, being true to yourself, embracing
good, and doing what you know is right will always be challenged by being
and doing what we think will make us more “popular”. The decisions you
make in the midst of that challenge are what define you in the end. The
place within you where you find the answer and make the choice of what
you are going to do, that is your core; that is where your core values live.
Its next door neighbor is your conscience. Remember Jiminey?
The most valuable prize you will ever have is one you give yourself or deny
yourself…Integrity. Who are you? Are you determined to be a “good”
person? Is the prize NOT worth it to you if you have to lie, cheat, steal, or
hurt someone else to get it? Are you faithful and true to your word? Do you do what is right regardless of the
negative circumstances that might accompany that decision?
You don’t have to find a superhero to see a person of High Moral Code. Simply
look at your parents. They teach you good values and protect you from bad
influences. What values do your parents want you to live by? Who do they want
you to be?
People who have no Integrity, do not value it and cannot “teach” it. Your
parents have Integrity. They value it and they honor you by bringing you to
Shaolin. Like them, Shaolin teaches you a way of life that builds Strength of
Character, exemplifies High Moral Code, and helps you develop Integrity with
each choice, decision, and achievement. Your parents are the superheroes of
High Moral Code. Honor, respect and thank them for it every day by becoming
the example others will want to follow.
HIGH MORAL CODE
There are people in the world who are misguided. In
many cases they sacrificed their Integrity for a
“thing”…something they wanted and would pay any price
to get. They were good people who made bad
decisions…again….again, and again until they became
comfortable with a pattern of bad decisions. They no
longer have Integrity because they chose to give it away
when they made the decision(s) to get what they wanted,
no matter the circumstances. Misguided people devise
their own “Moral Code” to justify what they do, how they
live, and who they have become. Unfortunately, they often
look just like everybody else. But you can spot them by
simply paying attention to the decisions they make.
MISGUIDED
Have you ever heard someone say, “He is a man of his
word”? That is one of the greatest compliments
anyone can ever pay you. It says everything about who
you are. It says that you accept and embrace what is
good, right, honest, and socially valued. It says you have
Integrity !
There’s one story that really drive these lessons home better than any explanation can. Do you know the Dr.
Seuss story about an elephant named Horton, a crazy bird Mayzie, and an egg? “Horton Hatches the Egg”
provides a good example of what it means to have Strength of Character, High Moral Code, and to be an
elephant of Integrity.
Passing by the lazy bird Mayzie’s tree one day, the crafty bird asked Horton to give her a break by sitting
on her egg.
“Hello” called the lazy bird, smiling her best,
“You’ve nothing to do and I do need a rest.
Would you like to sit on the egg in my nest?”
“PL-E-E-ASE!” begged the bird.
“I won’t be gone long, sir. I give you my word.
I’ll hurry right back. Why, I’ll never be missed….”
“Very well,” said the elephant, “since you insist…
You want a vacation. Go fly off and take it.
I’ll sit on your egg and I’ll try not to break it.
I’ll stay and be faithful. I mean what I say.”
Now, if you know the story at all, you know that it doesn’t go well for poor, trusting, faithful
Horton
And he sat all that day…
And he kept the egg warm…
And he sat all that night
Through a terrible storm.
It poured and it lightninged!
It thundered! It rumbled!
“This isn’t much fun,”
The poor elephant grumbled.
“I wish she’d come back
‘Cause I’m cold and I’m wet.
But Mayzie didn’t come back as she’d promised. And it did not
get any better for the ever faithful Horton as he stayed firm and
true his word.
He was laughed at, and made the brunt of cruel jokes. He was
ridiculed, mocked, and labeled “crazy” for being an elephant of
his word and being faithful to Mayzie.
He was dug up and caged up and bagged like an elephant.
Yet Horton remained faithful one hundred percent.
Mayzie is misguided. Her decisions throughout the story demonstrate her “I”- centeredness. Mayzie
always does what is good for Mayzie.
Horton, on the other hand, exemplifies everything we are
learning about in this month’s newsletter:
1. Strength of Character by staying on the nest in the face of great
humiliation and suffering.
2. High Moral Code by sticking to his decision to protect the egg
regardless of the consequences.
3. Integrity by never compromising his word and staying true to
himself even when nobody was looking.
And for his courage, his strength, and his character Horton
received the greatest gift of all – Integrity with wings!
VALUE YOURSELF
BE TRUE TO YOUR WORD
CHERISH INTEGRITY
MAKE STRENGTH OF CHARACTER
AND HIGH MORAL CODE WHO YOU ARE
LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!
June 16th is Father’s Day and I propose we celebrate it by showing our thanks and appreciation to those who
“father us”. For those of you whose father is not in your life right now, we will celebrate the very special person
who has fulfilled that role for you in his absence even if it is your mother, grandfather or grandmother, brother or
sister, aunt or uncle, or even a very good friend.
You are very special, and in one way or another, your “dad” or your “dad figure” has helped (is helping) you to
grow and choose the “right path”. One of the ways that fathers guide and direct us is by the example they set for
us. Father’s are always doing things to help us. They provide for us, they make time for us, they fix what we
break, they do household chores, they coach our teams and/or come to our events to cheer us on. And every day
they support us in ways we don’t even know. They are true superhero’s. Let’s show our appreciation and gratitude
by honoring the superhero in our life in a very special way.
A. Get an 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper and fold it in half like a greeting card.
B. Think about your father (or father figure) and all the things he does for you and your family. If your father
were a superhero, what would his name/symbol be? On the front of the folded piece of paper, draw a
picture or find and print one from the internet that represents your father as the superhero you think he
would be. (If you print one from the internet, cut it out and glue it to the front of your folded piece of paper.)
C. Open the folded paper and on the left side of the fold write the following:
For all you are and all you do,
I’ve made this card to say “thank you”.
When I grow up I hope to be,
The Superhero you are to me.
D. Write these six sentences on the right side of the fold, leaving enough space between each one for its
answer.
1. When I grow up I want to be like you in this way:
2. This is my favorite thing you do that always makes me feel special:
3. Thank you for making time to do this with me:
4. I really love when you say this to me:
5. I have learned this wonderful thing by watching you:
6. You are my Superhero because:
E. Go to a quiet place, close your eyes, and take some deep breaths to quiet your mind, making it free
from all thoughts. When you are ready, carefully think about these questions, and when you have
considered each one, write the answer to it after the colon (:).
1. What do you admire most about them?
2. What is your favorite thing they do/did for you that makes you feel special?
3. What do you like to do most with them when they have the time?
4. What do they say to you that means more than anything else?
5. What lesson(s) have you learned by watching how they live their life (by their example)?
6. Why are they so special and important to you?
F. Close the card you have created and on the back write the following:
Please keep this in a safe place and show it to me on my 16th birthday.
G. On Sunday, June 16th, present this gift proudly to your father/father figure. You have not only created
a masterpiece, you have given your dad/dad figure something they will cherish for a lifetime.
JUNE BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS
In celebration of your special day, Shifu invites you to bring a friend to class during your
birthday week. Just get a “Buddy Pass” from Sarah or Shamain and have your friend’s
parents sign it before they come to class. THEN HAVE FUN CELEBRATING YOU !
Nico Chabis-Ergle 6/4 Nikki Watson 6/6 Dua Dua Yi 6/8
Dillon Jenkins 6/9 Jinny Lee 6/19 Taniyah Thomas 6/25
Brandon Williams 6/28
Integrity
