Li Qiang
I feel like people have forgotten what is truly important. It seems that today people only care about what they want in terms of material possessions. What is important can’t actually be bought with money. When one discovers true self in life, he/she always finds sufficiency in both spiritual and material life. However, today, people have too much desire in the material world. They have lost nature.
It seems that the important things that can be found in traditional Chinese culture are being lost and forgotten. The Shaolin Institute is important because it teaches valuable lessons from ancient Chinese wisdom. The words of the week, “courtesy, discipline, humility, loyalty, integrity” are all very important because they show the important aspects of traditional Chinese culture. They teach everybody to open his/her heart and to reach out beyond oneself. If you are beyond yourself, you can win yourself. You can be successful in everything.
Spirit is very important, and it is taught in old Chinese culture. Shaolin spirit is different because it teaches you how to pursue a pure mind, a healthy body, and an open heart. If your heart is clear, you can see everything; this is the true nature of our being. Shaolin spirit teaches how to clear your heart and helps you with everything in life. This is why the Shaolin Institute and its teachings are so important for everybody.
For example, Shaolin Institute students are behaving well in testing. They salute to their teachers and they give their cards with both hands to show their respect. The teachers show their mutual respect back to their students by returning their salute. However, at South Alabama, the students in class show no respect to their teachers. They hand their papers with one hand, and they don’t even look at their teacher. It is very disrespectful. Everyone would benefit from studying the Shaolin way.
