Congratulations
to all the winners and participants of our Shaolin in My Heart Art, Poetry and Essay Contest, for your creative and thoughtful works of art, poetry and essays. We are delighted to discover the many talents in our Shaolin family, and deeply moved by your devotion, interest, and the heartfelt expession of your connection with Shaolin Kung Fu Chan Culture.

At the Awards Ceremony on June 24, 2012, Master Shi Yanran, Executive Director of Shaolin Temple USA remarked:

“To celebrate this year’s Shaolin Temple Day, we held an art, poetry and essay contest with the theme “Shaolin In My Heart. Our goal was to offer our students an opportunity to collectively embark on a journey to experience the many facets of Shaolin culture.

Shaolin Kung Fu Chan means more than practicing Kung Fu. It is also a form of Chan cultivation. Likewise, drawing a picture, writing a poem or an essay are all meditative activities that enrich our spiritual life and cultivate the wisdom of Chan. Through Shaolin Kung Fu Chan training, our students experience Shaolin culture. On this occasion, By putting their wisdom, imagination and their heart into art and and writing, they have unveiled their own creative potentials. I believe the richness in content and the variety of styles we witness is but the edge of the iceberg. I urge all of you to continue your artistic and literary journey in the Shaolin. We expect the best is still to come!”

We have invited 6 distinguished artists and authors to review and critique over 100 pieces of original art, poems and essays. We wish to thank our honorable judges for their thoughtful evaluations and comments. Here are some highlights:

On the overall quality of entries:

Imbued with transcendent essence of our daily experience and vivid imagery, youthful perceptions and life’s exaultation, boldly or delicately threaded with personal connection with Shaolin.

Contest results are posted below. To view winning entries and selected works, please following links at the top of this page.