Daphne, Alabama, USA -- Abbot Shi Yongxin, a world-famous leader of Shaolin Kung Fu and an advocate of the modern revival of Shaolin Kung Fu, was presented with an honorary doctorate at the United States Sports Academy 10 November.

Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, President, CEO and Founder of the Academy, presented the Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa, to the Abbot at a ceremony on the Academy campus, which was followed by a Shaolin Kung Fu demonstration from Abbot Shi Yongxin disciples outside the building.

"I would like to thank this great institution, the United States Sports Academy, for awarding me this Honorary Doctorate degree, which is not only an honor for me but also an honor for the Shaolin Temple," the Abbot said in his native language during his acceptance speech. "I believe the most important part of this award is that it promotes the Shaolin culture, and more broadly, a two-way dialogue between Chinese and American Cultures."

The Abbot promotes the belief that unless we respect each other's cultures, we cannot respect each other, and in his speech he referred to the fact that the Shaolin Kung Fu is a blend of Chinese philosophy and the Kung Fu taught at the temple.

"Shaolin Kung Fu, as a culture, has diminished not only in China, but also in the whole world," Abbot Shi Yongxin said. "The connotations of Shaolin Kung Fu and the way they are shown to people are severely distorted. Only if it is under the protection of the people around the world can Shaolin Kung Fu survive and develop. Shaolin Kung Fu is not simply a martial art. The more important value of it is the Zen Buddhism involved in it."

Japanese Judo, Kundo, Shotokan and Korean Taekwondo all have close connections with Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu. Judo and Taekwondo are both Olympic sports.

"Inheriting the Shaolin's tradition, we are more than willing to distribute the best of our culture to the whole world and to communicate with people from all around the world who are interested in Shaolin culture," the Abbot said. "We believe these kinds of communications will benefit both sides. By awarding me the Honorary Doctorate degree, the United States Sports Academy expresses the support of the spread of Shaolin culture and what Shaolin temple has done and is doing for the spread of Shaolin culture."

A 10-part certification program to teach Kung Fu and other martial arts is being developed as a joint effort between the Academy and the Abbot.

The Abbot's current campaign is to establish the Shaolin Temple as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site. There are currently 28 World Heritage Sites in China.

The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and the world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.