Erzu Temple Immersion
1–8 November 2026 · Sikong Mountain · Anhui · China
Live & Train Like A Shaolin Warrior Master Train with Shifu Shi Yanjun. Live inside Erzu Temple. Experience Shaolin practice from within.
For seven days, step away from the distractions of everyday life and enter the rhythm of Shaolin practice in the mountains of China.
Under the guidance of Shifu Shi Yanjun, 34th-Generation Shaolin Warrior Master, you will train your body, practise meditation, develop discipline and experience the simplicity of traditional temple life.
This isn’t about watching Shaolin from the outside.
It’s about living the practice.
What Could Seven Days Of Complete Focus Do For You?
Most of us rarely have the opportunity to give our complete attention to one thing. There is always another message. Another meeting. Another responsibility. And the next morning, you begin again. For one week, your normal routines fall away and the practice moves to the centre of your day. No commuting to training. No returning to emails between sessions. No trying to squeeze practice into the spaces left by everything else. You live where you train. And that changes the experience. Another distraction. At Erzu Temple, life becomes simpler. You wake. You train. You eat. You learn. You recover. You reflect.
Some Places Are More Than A Setting.
They carry a story.
Centuries before you arrive at Sikong Mountain, another practitioner came searching for a teacher.
His name was Dazu Huike.
He would become known as the Second Patriarch of Chan Buddhism — and Erzu Temple, the Temple of the Second Patriarch, carries his name and legacy.
Tradition remembers Huike for his extraordinary determination in seeking the teachings of Bodhidharma, the First Patriarch of Chan.
One of the most famous stories tells of Huike standing outside in the winter snow, waiting for Bodhidharma to accept him as a student.
Bodhidharma refused.
Huike remained.
According to the traditional account, Huike eventually demonstrated the extremity of his commitment by severing his own arm.
It is a dramatic legend from another time — not an act to imitate — but the question at the heart of the story has endured for centuries:
“BRING ME YOUR MIND.”
Another famous encounter between Huike and Bodhidharma goes deeper.
Huike told Bodhidharma that his mind had no peace and asked his teacher to pacify it.
Bodhidharma challenged him:
“Bring me your mind, and I will pacify it.”
Huike searched.
He could not find it.
And in that moment, tradition tells us, his understanding changed.
Huike would eventually receive Bodhidharma’s transmission and become the Second Patriarch of Chan.
Later tradition connects him with Sikong Mountain as a place of practice and teaching.
Today, Erzu Temple preserves that connection.
THIS IS WHERE YOUR OWN PRACTICE BEGINS.
You don’t need Huike’s extremes.
You don’t need to stand in the snow.
You certainly don’t need to prove yourself through suffering.
Your challenge is much simpler.
Show up.
Pay attention.
Practise.
Return tomorrow.
Huike would eventually receive Bodhidharma’s transmission and become the Second Patriarch of Chan.
Later tradition connects him with Sikong Mountain as a place of practice and teaching.
Today, Erzu Temple preserves that connection.
WHY TRAIN AT ERZU TEMPLE?
Because Where You Train Changes How You Train.
You can exercise anywhere. You can meditate at home. You can learn movements from a screen. But immersion offers something different. At Erzu Temple, there is no separation between the training environment and the rest of your day. The temple becomes your everyday life. You wake where you train. You eat where you practise. You recover where you learn. Instead of fitting practice around work, messages and responsibilities, you have something increasingly rare:
Time to Focus.
The mountains create distance from everyday noise. The temple provides structure. Your teacher provides guidance. Your fellow participants share the challenge. And day after day, you return to the practice. The environment becomes part of the training.
What Temple Training Can Develop
DISCIPLINE
Motivation comes and goes.Practice teaches you to show up anyway.Following a consistent routine can change your relationship with discipline — from something imposed upon you to something that helps you progress.
PHYSICAL CAPABILITY
Daily Shaolin training challenges strength, flexibility, mobility, balance, coordination and endurance.You begin to understand your body not simply through exercise, but through deliberate and repeated practice.
FOCUS
Kung Fu demands attention.Meditation demands attention.And whenever your mind wanders, you practise bringing it back.Again.And again.
RESILIENCE
Some training will feel comfortable.Some won't.The practice gives you an opportunity to meet physical and mental challenge with patience rather than immediately stepping away from it.
PATIENCE
Not everything improves immediately.Some movements require repetition.Some lessons take time.Some progress becomes visible only after you stop trying to rush it.
SIMPLICITY
For one week, the number of things competing for your attention becomes smaller.The rhythm becomes:Wake. Train. Eat. Learn. Reflect. Rest.Then begin again.
lead teacher
Shifu Shi Yanjun
34th Generation Shaolin Warrior Master and 17th Generation Inheritor of Meihua Quan
THIS ISN'T A SINGLE MASTERCLASS.
You Have Time With The Teacher.
At the heart of the Erzu Temple Immersion is the opportunity to train under Shifu Shi Yanjun. What makes this experience special isn’t simply the opportunity to meet Shifu Yanjun or attend one of his classes. You return to the practice with him day after day. You learn. You practise. You receive guidance. You repeat. You begin to understand. And the following day, you return and practise again. That continuity matters. Because genuine progress rarely comes from experiencing something once.
It Comes From Repetition.
More Than Learning Kung Fu
Training with Shifu Yanjun is not simply about memorising movements. You work with the foundations beneath them: Posture · Balance · Coordination · Flexibility · Strength · Focus · Repetition · Discipline
And physical training has a way of revealing what is happening internally. When your legs become tired, what does your mind tell you? When a movement doesn’t come easily, do you become frustrated? When Shifu corrects something you thought you understood, can you begin again? When progress feels slow, can you continue? When your attention wanders, can you bring it back? These moments are small. But they are where training becomes interesting. Because eventually you begin to understand:
THE BODY TRAINS. THE MIND LEARNS.
Your 7-Day Immersion at Erzu Temple
Every day strips away distraction. Every day builds a stronger you. Here’s a glimpse of what your week will look like:
Zen Hall* – Meditation hall & Main Hall * – Buddhist Ceremony Hall; Drums & Bell Ceremony – Towers
*Disclaimer: This is just a sample schedule. Your weekly schedule will be determined based on your body quality, fitness level, experience, martial arts skill level, age, and interests. The timetable changes depending on the weather and seasons.
Your Investment in Transformation
Shared Room
Features
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Immersive Kung Fu training, Meditation & Authentic Temple Life
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Tea Ceremony & Lectures
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Guidance from Shifu Shi Yanjun, 34th-Generation Shaolin master
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Shared Accommodation in the Temple
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3 nourishing, freshly prepared vegan meals per day
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T-shirt, trousers and Master robe
Payment Option
To secure your place in the retreat at Erzu Temple, we offer the following payment options:
1. Initial Deposit:
- A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total retreat cost is required to confirm your booking.
- This deposit guarantees your place and allows us to finalise arrangements for your stay.
- Payment methods accepted for the deposit: Stripe
Important Information Regarding the Deposit:
- Non-Refundable: Please note that the 50% deposit is non-refundable. This policy is in place due to the costs associated with securing your spot and making necessary arrangements.
- Transferable: We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise. Therefore, the deposit is transferable to a friend or family member who meets the retreat requirements. To transfer your deposit, please notify us in writing via email at info@shaolintemple.com at least 15 days before the retreat start date with the name and contact information of the person to whom you wish to transfer your booking.
2. Final Payment:
- The remaining 50% of the total retreat cost is due upon arrival at Erzu Temple.
- Payment Method: The final payment must be in cash (Chinese Yuan – CNY or USD, Euros, British Pounds).
- Please ensure you have the correct amount prepared before your arrival.
Terms & Conditions
- By making the initial deposit, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this payment plan and the retreat registration form.
- Failure to pay the final balance in cash upon arrival may result in cancelling your participation in the retreat.
Erzu Temple — A Sacred Training Ground
Historic temple setting
Surrounded by mountains and silence
A place where discipline and stillness coexist
Address
Erzu (Second Patriarch's) Temple (二祖寺) in Yuexi County, Anhui (安徽, 岳西县), is one of the most remote I've been to. It sits at the foot of Sikong Mountain (司空山).
What You’ll Walk Away With
Sharpened mental focus
Increased physical strength
Emotional resilience
Deep inner calm
A new relationship with discipline
You won’t just feel different. You’ll operate differently.
Only 20 Spots Available – Don’t Wait!
This retreat is intentionally limited to 20 participants to ensure a deeply personal and transformative experience. Spots are filling fast, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Stories of Transformation
shi xingdu
erzu temple abbot
Shi Yanbo
Retreat Manager & Interpreter
How many people will be in the immersive experience?
Can I get one-to-one training with a Shifu?
What happens if I'm injured while training?
What kind of toilet can I expect to have in the room?
Am I required to wear a uniform?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a discount if I'm a returning student?
Do you offer scholarships for training?
What happens if I don't show up for training once I'm enrolled?
Will I receive certifications at the end of the training?
Step-by-Step Booking Process
Note:
- Late registrations may not be considered.
- Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@shaolintemple.com if you have any questions or require assistance booking.
Erzu's Legacy
Review Program Details: Please carefully review all program details, including dates, curriculum, costs, and accommodation options, to ensure they align with your goals and expectations.
Complete and Submit the Registration Form: Please complete the registration form accurately and thoroughly, ensuring all information is correct and current. Then, click the “Submit Your Registration” button to submit the form.
Receive Confirmation: You will receive an email confirmation of your registration within two business days.
Await Approval: The program leader, Shifu Shi Yanjun, will review your registration and notify you of the decision within two business days.
Pay the Program Fee (upon acceptance): You will receive instructions on how to pay the down payment. This payment is non-refundable but transferable to a friend if you cannot attend the program.
Confirm your participation: Once the program down payment is paid, your participation is confirmed, and you will receive detailed information, including accommodation details, travel instructions, visa application, and a packing list.
Planning Your Trip to China
Travel by air
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, Q6G6+JXW, Huangpi District, Wuhan, Hubei, China, 430302: 215 km (2h and 37 min)
Travel by train:
Check for train connections to Yuexi Railway Station (岳西站) (60 km – 1h journey). High-speed trains may not go directly to Yuexi; you might need to transfer at a larger city like Hefei or Anqing. Use a website like Trip.com or China Railway’s official website (www.12306.cn) to check train schedules and book tickets.
Travel by Taxi:
Negotiate the fare beforehand or ensure the taxi meter is running. Show the driver the Chinese name and address: “安徽省岳西县店前镇司空山景区” (Ānhuī Shěng Yuèxī Xiàn Diànqián Zhèn Sīkōng Shān Jǐngqū).
Travel by Didi (滴滴):
Didi is China’s ride-hailing app. You can use Didi to book a ride if you have a Chinese phone number and WeChat/Alipay set up for payment.The airports to choose from are: