Shaolin Monks Worship Ancestors in the Winter Clothing Festival

On Nov 1, 2024, or the 1st day of the tenth lunar month in Jiachen Year, it was the Winter Clothing Festival when Shaolin monks followed the Chinese tradition heading towards the Pagoda Forest to worship ancestors, burning and sending winter clothes.

After morning reciting, Shaolin monks lined up to head towards the Pagoda Forest and then abbot Shi Yongxin burned incense and presided over the dharma assembly to worship ancestors solemnly. Subsequently, abbot Yongxin, together with all monks, recited, offered sacrifice and burned five-colored paper in front of the pagodas to express infinite gratitude and cherish the memory of ancestors and holy ones of all generations.

During the time, 34 overseas Shaolin disciples from Uruguay, Chile and Columbia attended the ancestor-worshiping rite. At the Abbot Hall of Shaolin Temple, abbot Yongxin also introduced traditional merits of filial piety in China to disciples, hoping that they could learn more about Shaolin culture and traditional Chinese culture when studying Shaolin Kungfu. (Report and pictures by Yue Long and edited by Zou Xiang)