The First Westerner Branded at Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China
From the southern port town of Brindisi, Italy across the Mediterranean into Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China Franco Testini whose official title is Venerable Shi Yanfan became Shaolin Temple’s first appointed Western Ambassador in 2007.
Held by the Chinese government with the approval of the National Religious Affairs Administration and China Buddhist Association, Shaolin Temple in Henan partially revived an ancient ceremony that had not been practiced in over 300 years.
Venerable Shi Yanfan was at the helm of a long ceremony, in which after he officially elevated to the position of an abbot. On May 24, 2007 many highly respected and honorary abbots were called to witness the historical event. On the last day of the ceremony the Venerable Shi Yanfan was chosen to become the first non-Asian to receive the ancient ceremonial branding signs that consisted of searing nine circles on the head with sticks of incense.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 2,500 year old Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China has unveiled its secrets that help promote natural self-healing of the body, increase inner strength, and reduce stress and pain. An unprecedented tribute to the most ancient martial arts and Eastern philosophy in the world.
Today, in order to spread the legendary Shaolin Culture around the world the Venerable Shi Yanfan was commissioned to be the Cultural Ambassador of Songshan Shaolin Temple Henan Province, China’s to promote the understanding, the revival, and preservation of legendary Shaolin heritage on a global scale.
