Kung fu dancing

"Path to Shaolin" is a documentary about a Canadian kung fu practitioner, Tim Mrazek, who wants to become a Shaolin monk. On YouTube it´s called "How to Be a Shaolin Monk". The documentary is somewhat peculiar, and there seems to be an entire culture war on the web about how "authentic" Shaolin really is. Although Mrazek´s trainer is a disciple of a Shaolin kung fu master, I have to say that "Path to Shaolin" gives plenty of ammunition to those claiming that the temple isn´t what it used to be. (In case you really don´t know, the Shaolin monastery or temple is a Zen Buddhist center in China famous for its "warrior monks" and martial arts. Not to mention the near-supernatural feats carried out by said monks.) 

At the start, we are told that Mrazek is going to Shaolin "to become a monk" and wonders whether the Chinese warrior-monks will accept him. Yet, he spends most of his time in China at various kung fu schools for children and teenagers. They teach "wushu", here interpreted as the competition form of kung fu, with little or no spiritual content. When Mrazek finally manages to visit the Shaolin Temple, it turns out to be closed...with only a bunch of kids in the temple grounds. In the end, Mrazek and his trainer simply take their picture with the children outside the "sacred" temple doors?! 

At a later point, the team visits the Pagoda Forest, where Mrazek´s trainer pays homage to his dead master, the former abbot of the entire Temple. He finds it difficult to do so, since the entire area is filled with pretty disrespectful tourists. The idea that the Canadian is going to be initiated into the "brotherhood" is quietly dropped somewhere along the way, and we are told that the old traditions died with the former abbot. Finally, the new master (?) gives a speech filled with commonplaces, and finally tells Mrazek that he might as well go back to Canada and spread Shaolin culture there!

I get the impression that the entire Shaolin concept is heavily commercialized these days, and perhaps also politicized. (Just watch what happens every time an MMA fighter beats up a Shaolin monk!) The wushu might be real, what do I know, but it seems Shaolin sensu stricto is just another legend we should lay to rest...