I Lived with Monks at Shaolin Temple for a Week
The Application
Getting accepted for a residential stay at Shaolin isn't easy. You need a reference, a health check, and a convincing letter about your intentions. My letter mentioned my 10 years of martial arts training and sincere interest in Chan Buddhism. It took three months to hear back.
Day 1: Reality Check
4:00 AM: A gong sounds. Not gentle. Aggressive.
4:30 AM: Morning chanting in a hall so cold I could see my breath.
5:30 AM: Kung fu training. Basic stances. My thighs were burning within minutes.
7:00 AM: Breakfast. Plain congee, pickled vegetables, silence.
I thought I was fit. I was wrong.
The Training
Modern Shaolin training blends traditional kung fu with Chan meditation. We practiced:
- Horse stance (holding for 20+ minutes)
- Basic forms and striking
- Qi gong breathing exercises
- Sitting meditation (three sessions daily)
The monks were patient but demanding. "Your mind wanders," one told me. "When you punch, only punch. When you sit, only sit."
What I Learned
Shaolin isn't about becoming a warrior. It's about discipline—the kind that transforms how you move through the world. By day 5, I stopped thinking about my phone. By day 7, morning gongs felt like friendly greetings.
The Hardest Part
Sitting meditation. Hours of stillness with a mind that wants to run. The monks made it look effortless. I struggled constantly. But somewhere in that struggle, something shifted.
How to Experience It
Short-term visitor programs exist but are limited. Research the temple's official website, avoid third-party "kung fu schools" in the area, and be prepared for genuine monastic life—not a wellness retreat.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Some experiences change you. This was one of them.