Shaolin Temple in Berlin
Posted at Dec 01, 04 in Shaolin Temple News

The ancient order of the Shaolin fighting monks have a new home in the German capital after the largest Shaolin Buddhist temple outside China opened in Berlin on Thursday 25th.

Shaolin is a school of Buddhism, founded in the middle of the first millenneum in the Henan province of China. Over time, the form of kung fu practiced there became famous all over China and later, the world.

The new temple in Berlin, officially opened on Thursday evening with celebrities and stars in attendance, is the next step for the ancient order of fighting monks as they attempt to establish more houses of worship in Germany.

The construction of the temple is down to the dedication of a German, Deller Lehner. Lehner came alone to the Shaolin Temple in the Songshan Mountain in central China's Henan province 13 years ago to learn martial arts. During his time there, he became a Buddhist.

A team of 12 Chinese monks and ten employees will run the temple and provide instruction in the martial arts and Chinese medicine. They will also officiate at the Buddhist ceremonies which will take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m.