Shaolin kung fu is a craze today. We have been reading how fantastic these so-called Shaolin masters are and how great their kung fu is in our local newspapers. The Shaolin Kung fu Malaysian Tour 2002 from Jan 26 to Feb 6 is heavily promoted in the name of charity but between the performance and charity, something is amiss.

Allow me to comment.

The Star published a picture of a so-called Shaolin master whose head is shaven like a Buddhist monk's doing his kung fu 'monkey' posture between two Buddhist stupas. He had a foot resting on a stupa which is a shocking act for a Buddhist monk.

If indeed he is a Shaolin monk, doesn't he know that the stupa is a holy Buddhist structure which contains holy relics? Any Shaolin monk or disciple would not dare put his feet on a holy stupa. This act — whether it's being done for charity's sake or otherwise — is indeed shameful.

If indeed he is not a monk, why the shaven head and the monk's attire? Is it to deceive the spectators?

The Star's front page photo (Jan 15) shows the picture of a layman repeatedly banging his hand on the head of a shaven Shaolin master in a monk's attire. There are many ways to show off one's kung fu mastery but the picture is truly disturbing. This is truly an insult to the Buddhist community.

A monk represents one of the 'three jewels' in Buddhism and is revered for his oath to renounce all worldly temptations. This act clearly violates the monk's respectability and put him in a position of contempt and disrespect.

I wonder why the major Buddhist organisations are silent about this. I believe many Buddhists share my view. In Malaysia, where we're all taught to respect each other's religion, I am only asking that respect be shown to all faiths.