Trending in Shaolin: China’s gongfu monks draw fans online but also raise eyebrows

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While warrior monks with an online following have broadened the reach of Shaolin, some question if it is fitting for them to embrace the Internet, and whether Shaolin is more secular than spiritual.

Shaolin has sometimes come under criticism for being too commercialised....can also get a video of themselves performing martial arts moves taught by a Shaolin disciple, complete with professional lights, along the temple’s periphery for a donation of 199 yuan.

“(Gongfu) training will toughen up my son, train his fitness and teach him to bear hardship. The positive attitude that I hope he can pick up through the training will set him up for life

But some netizens have asked if it is appropriate for the monks to show so much of their bare bodies on social media. Many of the posts feature the monks showing off their muscular torsos as they performed martial arts moves. 

Qn: How important is it for people in your society to retain a sense of tradition? (Cam. 2010)