Scholar Project 2010

[Joan]

My Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon readers,

If there is anything that you wish to discuss on the Scholar Project or from the course announcement

http://www.wongkiewkit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9360

please feel free to do so on this thread.

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Kevin_B]

Dear Sifu,

This is wonderful, all wonderful news. Aspiring to the scholar-warrior ideal is a noble and courageous journey and we are very blessed to be guided on the path by Sigung, Sipak Darryl, Sipak Mark and, of course, yourself Sifu.

Promoting the Shaolin Arts is of course greatly encouraged in the school and I have no doubt that the scholar-warrior training will inspire us all with this very important goal.

I’m looking forward to attending as many as these events as I possibly can in the months and years ahead and making new Shaolin friends along the way.

Best wishes to all,

Kevin

[Joan]

Dear Kevin,

Thank you

We are going to have lots of fun in Ireland and globally rolling out the different events.

We have progressed from 'poetry' to 'cooking' on Tuesday nights here in Kilgarvan..............well baking would be more appropriate

Each of the students are kindly, in turn, baking something nice for our tea and chat after the class.......and it is not just the girls, I think the guys are even more enthusiastic!!!!

We have already had the best Orange cake and Chocolate cake...YUMMMMMMMY!

Next event in Ireland is our Historic Dublin Walking Tour taking in Trinity College and the Book of Kells, The Art Gallery, Muesum and Chester Beaty Library on June 12th.

More updates later!

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Joan]

Chester Beatty Library in Dublin

Dear Family,

For the Irish students who are not familiar with the Chester Beatty Library, here is some more information.

It is one of the more special places to visit in Dublin

Sir Alfred Chester Beatty was an American of Irish heritage who made a fortune in the mining industry and collected rare manuscripts. In 1956, he bequeathed his extensive collection to Ireland, and this fascinating museum inside the grounds of Dublin Castle was the ultimate result of his largesse.
The breathtaking array of early illuminated gospels and religious manuscripts outshines the Book of Kells, and there are endless surprises here: ancient editions of the Bible and other religious books, beautiful copies of the Koran, and endless icons from Western, Middle Eastern, and Far Eastern cultures. Best of all: It's free. The Library's Silk Road Café is an award-winning restaurant that has a devoted local following, offering a menu that features Mediterranean and Near Eastern cuisine.

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Joan]

My Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon readers,

What a great day out on Saturday

We thoroughly enjoyed the long and vast history of Dublin, as well as feasting our eyes on the world famous Book of Kells. The intricacy of the art work is stunning, it is so detaled, colourful and complex.

A tour not to be missed if you are visiting the city and Trinity College. Here also is the Long Room, a beautiful library of ancient books which also houses the oldest working harp in the world!

I won't go into detail of the whole tour as I am sure some of those who took part will like to share their own special experiences also.

Well done to all who participated.

More local as well as global Scholar projects coming up shortly.

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Kevin_B]

Dear Friends,

The scholar-warrior historic walking tour of Dublin was a whole new Shaolin experience and a most enjoyable day out. We visited a number of well-known landmarks around the city centre and had an excellent guide to nourish our scholar-minds with great stories and interesting facts. The highlight for me was certainly the Old Library in Trinity College: a completely timeless and sacred place with stunning 18th century architecture. I found myself wondering what a Chi Flow in the room might feel like...
Well, I never found out, but I did find out what a lunchtime Chi flow in Merrion Square feels like: absolutely wonderful! The Chi Kung state of mind stayed with me for some time after the Chi Kung session and I found it quite remarkable just much more vibrant and alive the streets and people were as a result. And my scholar-mind was super-activated. I found myself listening less to our guide but understanding him more. Somewhere within myself I felt a deeper connection with the place.

All in all, a wonderful day out.

Thank you Sifu for making this day happen and thank you to all the other scholar-warriors for making the day so enjoyable.

Plans for a scholar-warrior tour of Cork City are in the making...

Best Wishes,

Kevin

[Kevin_B]

Here are some photos from the day. As photos posted to the forum are limited to 100kb I have had to reduce their size severely.
Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy.

[Kevin_B]

Two more!

[Mark CH]

Hi Kevin

Where is the church that is in the last picture you posted. Looks amazing inside.

Best wishes
Mark

[Peter Clayton]

Great photos Kevin! I loved the library at Trinity.

Sifu, thank you so much for organising this. It was well worth the trip to Dublin. Lorcan the tour guide was so passionate about his subject that it became infectious - I can honestly say I found every scrap of information that he imparted highly interesting.

Dublin is now a much more interesting place to me!

To finish up in a gallery displaying Buddhist statues, sutras and paintings was a perfect finish to the day.

Many thanks again to Sifu and all of my Brothers and Sisters whom I got to share a great day with.

[Shaolinfist]

Sounds like a great day out and the weather looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing the pictures Kevin.

Kind regards,
Phil

[Joan]

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for posting those wonderful pictures. It was great to have a camera man on duty

I really appreciate both your and Peter's lovely feedback and support on the day.

Hi Mark:

Here is a link to that church: It is part of Dublin Castle and it is stunning inside. You should pay it a visit next time you are in the capital.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_Royal_%28Dublin_Castle%29

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[brendan]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family,

I also had a wonderful time during the tour of Dublin as part of the Scholar Project. What an amazing time thank you Sije for organising it.

I agree with both Peter and Kevin on their highlight's of the day the old library is a must see if your ever in Dublin.

The smell of all the old book's and timber is over whelming. I also liked the lay out of the Viking's house with some of the relics of that period in the concrete slab on the side of the street.

As kevin mentioned in his post and we also talked about it on the tour was how peaceful we were after the Chi Flow and the ease to take in all that Lorcan our tour guide had to say.

The Museum at the end of the tour with all the book's and statue's of all the different religion's was definetly a highlight for me also. The section on Buddhism and the chanting in the back round was really nice.

If I was to describe the Shaolin Art's like serving's of food. I'd have to say Chi Kung for starter's Tai Chi Chuan for the main course and definetly a Scholar Project for desert. And I cant wait for second's.

I highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you Sifu for passing on these Great Art's,
Thank you also Sije Joan for your teaching's and guidance your one of a kind,
Thank you to everyone else who was on the tour you made it all the more special,

Brendan

[padraig]

Hello to all,

glad you all had a great time, sounds like the day went in the usual Shaolin Wahnam fashion, hope to be at the next one

[Kevin_B]

Two more photos!