Gateway

Inside the gateway is a corridor with four rows of tablets, containing thoughts, good wishes, and poems by leading scholars attached to Shaolin Temple over the years.

There are three huge maidenhair trees in this corridor, which have survived the fires and devastations that have beset this place.

An interesting point of nature was revealed to me, as I considered these large trees. It is believed that in nature everything has a male and female element – even trees. For a tree to be fertile it must be paired with another tree.

Two trees standing at the beginning of the corridor are considered to be husband and wife. The third tree, outside the gate to Devajara Hall is alone, and is infertile. This tree has also come to represent the celibate lifestyle practiced by the Shaolin monks.