In this video, the narrator discusses a BBC Shaolin monk documentary while providing insights from personal experience as someone who trained at the Shaolin Temple. They comment on various aspects of the documentary, including the training, the spirituality, and the authenticity of the scenes. The narrator also shares details about specific individuals featured in the documentary and gives their perspective on the accuracy of the portrayal of Shaolin culture. They mention that some aspects are scripted for the camera but overall find the video to be one of the better representations of Shaolin.
1. The speaker is discussing a BBC Shaolin monk documentary that has been recommended to them.
2. The speaker spent three years at the Shaolin Temple training with the monks.
3. The video features two monks, one of whom specialized in Tiger and the other in Eagle.
4. The scene is filmed in the pagoda forest, which is about 200 meters outside of the temple.
5. The Shaolin Temple became world-famous as the home of kung fu after being discovered by Hollywood 50 years ago.
6. One of the students performing in the video is named Shu Young Dean, who is a master teaching a large group of people. His speciality is the monkey staff form, also known as the leopard form.
7. At the age of 16, Shu Young Dean came to the Shaolin Temple, and when he turns 18, he can decide whether he wants to become a full-on monk or a full-on Shaolin warrior monk.
8. The Shaolin Temple is a sacred place and the origin of Zen Buddhism.
9. Mastering kung-fu to the level expected at the Shaolin Temple takes years of dedication.
10. The speaker notes that the monks do have a lot of media experience, as camera teams are there at least every month.
11. The speaker discusses a form called the Chang women, which is one of the monks' favorite forms to perform.
12. The speaker mentions that if Shu Young Dean fails his test, he will have to wait three years before he can try again.
13. The speaker notes that most warrior monks rarely ever meditate.
14. The speaker discusses the marketing of Shaolin kung fu, stating that it is often simplified to being all about peace and health, despite the fact that it is also about war and conflict.
15. The speaker mentions that each monk chooses a specialism, and that Shu Young Dean's specialism is the whip and the sword.
16. The speaker mentions that the monks' training is often interrupted by the camera team, and that the training halls, which are outside of the tourist areas, are blocked off during filming.
17. The speaker discusses the test to qualify as a full warrior monk, mentioning that the abbot, who is head of the temple, will be judging along with three senior monks.