Here is a possible concise summary:
This is a transcript of a documentary about Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist monastery in China that is famous for its martial arts monks. The documentary follows the lives of some young novices who train hard to join the temple's traveling display teams and perform Kung Fu around the world. It also explores the history and challenges of Shaolin, which has survived wars, fires, and cultural changes for over a thousand years. The documentary shows how the current abbot, Shi Yongxin, is transforming Shaolin into a modern enterprise that embraces innovation and adaptation, such as collaborating with a western choreographer to create a new dance show. The documentary portrays Shaolin as a place of spiritual and physical discipline, as well as a cultural icon and a global brand.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Shaolin Temple is home of an ancient sect of warrior monks who practice Kung Fu.
2. A new generation of Shaolin monks is reinventing the temple as they take on the challenge of doing business in the 21st century.
3. The temple has a senior abbot, Shi Yongxin, who is managing its transformation and global expansion.
4. The temple has different display teams that travel the world and perform Kung Fu for audiences.
5. The hopefuls are the novice monks who train hard to earn a place on the display teams.
6. The hopefuls have to master traditional weapons, iron Kung Fu, and seven star Kung Fu routines.
7. Some of the hopefuls are also involved in a new east-west dance collaboration with a Belgian choreographer and a Polish composer.
8. The dance collaboration needs the approval of the abbot before it can premiere in London.
9. The hopefuls face various challenges, such as injuries, competition, and discipline, to achieve their dreams.
10. The temple has a long history of surviving wars, upheavals, and changes in China.