The Big Picture: Urbanization drive expands in China

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They say change is the only constant in life. And change, in the form of urbanization, has swept itself into China, disrupting even religious sites such as the once-isolated Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan Province.

Whereas previously it was a scarce home for warrior monks to practice kungfu and find peace, the temple is now open to tourists, to whom kungfu shows are being showcased.

Has this affected the monks' duties and goals to seek solace through self-cultivation and control?

CGTN correspondent Han Bin paid a visit to the temple and had a chat with two monks to get their insights.

Monks practice martial arts at Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan Province, January 20, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

"Without urbanization, Shaolin Temple would still be unknown to the outside world. I think there's nothing wrong with so-called commercialization, as it helps promote the temple," said Chang Tianci, a 17-year old Shaolin Temple monk.

Chang's master, Shi Yanzhuang, head of Warrior Monk, concurs, saying gifts like practicing kungfu should be shared by all.

"At the Thousand Buddha Hall, only the senior warriors could practice here. I don't see anything wrong with its opening up to tourism. Shaolin kungfu helps people understand themselves and others. It's a noble merit to enable more people to accept such physical and spiritual cultivation achieved by the ancestors," Shi said.

Perhaps it's through the years and years of practicing the martial art that Shi has also found wisdom.

"We can't refuse urbanization. We have to accept the reality of what's happened and what's to come. The only thing that doesn't change is change itself," he quipped.

The first direct cargo train leaves from Zhengzhou to Europe at the railway container center in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, July 18, 2013. /Xinhua Photo

In any developing country, commercialization is bound to happen.

Decades ago, 80 percent of China's population lived in the countryside. That number has more than halved today.

In the pursuit of growth, one needs to be mindful of having checks and balances – to ensure that one's heritage, history, and values, are not lost. For example, it is crucial to ensure that the temple's ritual of morning call to prayer at 4 a.m. every day is not disrupted.

This is especially so when Henan Province is set to become the regional logistics hub of central China, and Shaolin Temple is at the heart of the province's growth.

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