THE head of China’s Shaolin Temple has responded to criticism that its planned Australian outpost will be overcommercialized.

    Abbot Shi Yongxin told Xinhua that Shaolin will develop facilities for meditation, farming and martial arts, known as its “Australian culture center” in southeastern Shoalhaven, Australia.

    Australian media has reported that the center, to be built on 1,200 hectares of land bought by Shaolin, will include not only a temple and kung fu academy, but a hotel and a golf course, commercial activity deviating from the spiritual essence of Buddhism.

    “Many friends from the media were curious about how the Shaolin Temple could get so much money to build a golf course and a resort hotel. But the investment and planning [for the golf course and hotel] have nothing to do with Shaolin,” said the head monk.

    The land has been opened up for lease to investors wishing to build their own developments, while Shaolin will be responsible for its part, according to the abbot.

    “If entrepreneurs see business opportunities and want to build a new community of Sino-Australia cultural cooperation, as long as the Australian Government, the public and the investors are willing to do it, I just say it is destiny,” he said.

    Shaolin has established more than 40 culture centers around the world. Shi claimed his motivation for this expansion is “respecting religion, culture and lifestyle... promoting dialogue about culture and strengthening international understanding and cooperation.”

    Shi said he expects the center to open next year. He presented a check for A$4.16 million (US$3.26 million) to Shoalhaven’s mayor Feb. 23, the first concrete step to establishing Shaolin’s first center in Australia.

    The Shaolin Temple, built in the late fifth century and located in central China’s Henan Province, is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Chinese kung fu. Shi became the temple’s abbot in 1999. As one of the first Chinese monks to earn an MBA, he has courted controversy for developing business operations including lucrative kung fu shows and merchandise. (Xinhua)