The Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan
BIOGRAPHY
Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan. 34th Generation Ordained Shaolin Warrior Monk
Who is the Ven. Abbot Shi Yan Fan
He is historically the first Westerner ever to be ordained into the elite ranks of the distinguished Shaolin Temple of China.
Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan is a 34th Generation Ordained Shaolin Warrior Monk. In 2010, the renowned Shaolin Temple of China was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Commissioned as the Cultural Ambassador and the first Jieba Ordained Westerner, Venerable Master Shi Yan Fan’s life mission is to educate people all over the world on the importance of peaceful & healthy living, daily exercise, and supporting the children of our future.
Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan, Franco Testini was born on October 7, 1966 in the small port town of Brindisi, Italy. He came from a poor family and was the youngest of eight children. He began his practice at the age of 7. By his early 20’s he took vows of becoming a Buddhist monk and committed himself to sharing the secrets of internal medicine with the world. The Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan has visited multiple countries around the globe donating his time and efforts to rebuilding communities. He has also helped raise money and supplies to donate as relief to many disaster stricken communities in Japan, China, and Haiti.
His mission:
Exactly one day after the devastating 1994 earthquake in Northridge, CA the Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan arrived in the United States for the first time. “I don’t believe it was a coincidence that I came to Los Angeles on this day.” - Abbot Shi Yan Fan. With only forty dollars in his pocket and a monk’s bag with only a few articles of clothing he knew that this was where he was destined to be. The Venerable Abbot saw collapsed buildings, families living homeless in the streets, and severe damages for miles around. Without a second thought, he stepped in to help care for the injured victims, volunteered to clear broken debris, and brought fresh drinking water to the homeless. Regardless of the fact that he did not speak a word of english, he knew that pain and suffering was the same in every language. “I just want to help people who need help. Where ever my life takes me, this is what I want to do. I don’t want people to suffer and its even harder to see children suffering. I want to help children grow up happy, confident, and strong. When we give our all to support the children then our world will become a better place when they grow up to be good adults.” - Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan...
PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS
The following procedures are proper formal precedence and etiquette for receiving and introducing dignitaries of the Shaolin Temple. It is important that guests, hosts, and staff are aware that dignitaries from Shaolin Temple are holy clergymen who should be regarded with utmost respect. It takes practice to become comfortable in cross-cultural situations and to avoid offending others while maintaining the integrity of one’s role as a monastic.
- Dignitaries should be greeted as they arrive and accompanied by their host, guide, or appropriate staff member for the entire duration of their visit.
- The Venerable Shi Yan Fan may be introduced as “Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan” and may be addressed thereinafter as “Abbot.”
- It is polite to introduce the Venerable Abbot prior to conducting any business.
- It is not appropriate to touch the Venerable Abbot in any way other than to shake hands.
- Please refrain from use of profanity or inappropriate conversations close to the Abbot.
- It is always polite to open the door and allow the Venerable Abbot to enter and exit rooms first.
- A private or secured seating area must be reserved for the Venerable Abbot during meetings or special events.
- It is polite to remain standing until the Venerable Abbot has been seated. (In teachings, ceremonial situations, or public affairs monastics are seated in front as a mark of respect, not out of pride. Being seated in front entails a responsibility to sit quietly and pay attention to the proceedings, setting a good example for others.)
- If inviting the Venerable Abbot, airfare / hotel/ meals / transportation must be provided. (Air/Hotel should be grade PLUS or Business class for security purposes.)
- Vehicles must succeed all safety regulations. (It is always polite to open/close vehicle doors for the Abbot.)
- The Venerable Abbot must be accompanied by staff or security in public.
- Security or appropriate staff must be present upon the Venerable Abbot’s arrival/departure at the airport
- All local invitations should be made at least 2 weeks in advance. International requests should be made at least 1 month in advance.
- Please have vegetarian meal options available.
- Hot water with lemon, or room temperature water. (No soda, alcohol, or cold beverages.)
- It is customary to serve the Venerable Abbot first and wait for the entire table to be served before eating.
- It is customary for Disciples, Organizers, or Sponsors be responsible for the Venerable Abbot’s meals.
- Customarily a charitable donation* should be made to Yan Fan Foundation if requesting an appearance of the Venerable Abbot Shi Yan Fan. An $800 donation (per day) to Shaolin Temple Los Angeles for the time the Venerable Abbot will be spending away from his duties. A separate donation to the Venerable Abbot personally is also customary for workshops, seminars and lectures, consultations, T.V., Radio or other media appearances, etc. Depending on the type of event, an appropriate donation amount should politely be considered.