June 25, 2008
The Shaolin Temple not only teaches the secrets of Kung Fu, it’s also got stuff to sell.
Today’s Southern Metropolis Daily has an article reporting that Shaolin is now selling a series of books called”Shaolin Kung Fu and Medicine Secret” (少林武功医宗秘笈) for 9,990 yuan a set on its online store, “Shaolin Stage of Joy”.
The “Secret” series is allegedly compiled by Shi Yongxin, the celebrity abbot of Shaolin, who has been earned the moniker “CEO monk” because he runs Shaolin like a business.
Some have questioned the originality of the work; parts of the new series can be found in other, older books. In response to these accusation of plagiarism, Qian Xiangpeng, the superintendent of Shaolin online business, explains that throughout history, lots of Shaolin secrets were “leaked out and spread to the society”.
The books, which were published by Zhonghua Book Company, are also available on other online book sellers – and at much lower price ranging from 6,600 to 8,000 yuan. Actually, since May 22 when the site was launched, only a handful of inexpensive items listed on the Shaolin website have been sold. None the less, according to Qian, part of the profit from the store is donated to charity
- Southern Metropolis Daily via QQ (Chinese): Shaolin Temple caught in controversy for selling “Secret” at sky-high price