PUBLISHER’S CORNER
Welcome to our 16th Shaolin Special. It’s been a while. As a sworn Shaolin disciple, it feels like coming home. Our last Shaolin Special was our MAY+JUNE 2014 issue. We had planned one for 2015 right after the 4th Shaolin Cultural Festival, which was held right in our own backyard, here in San Francisco California. But controversial circumstances led to the main guest of honor, Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin (释永信) cancelling his visit at the last minute. There was a nationwide corruption crackdown in China and all prominent leaders were examined. Once again, just like with all of the other misplaced accusations, the Abbot was exonerated, but the investigation stopped his trip and the Festival suffered for it. It’s sad when politics sully Shaolin. Many fantasize about Shaolin Temple, dreaming of an…