A CHARITY appeal has been launched in Dorset to build a temple devoted to Chan Buddhism.

The campaign is being led by Shi Yan Ming, a warrior monk trained at the Shaolin Temple in China, who has lived in Bournemouth for 10 years.

Guests at the Empire cinema in Poole last weekend saw a film outlining the efforts to set up Britain's first Chain Buddhist monastery.

Shi Yan Ming began touring with the Wheel of Life martial arts show in 1998, showcasing the spectacular martial arts skills of monks from the Shaolin Temple.

“The Shaolin Temple is all about teaching Chan Buddhist philosophy, also the martial side as well. That's where Kung Fu comes from,” he said.

“Were trying to promote a mental, emotional and also spiritual peace. We're trying to combine everything together.

Supporters have established the UK Shaolin Temple as a registered charitable company, teaching Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu.

“We're really asking the general public to help us. Maybe they can donate as much as they can to help build the temple,” said Shi Yan Ming.

The Chan philosophy promotes meditation as a way to discover people's true nature. Its fusion with Shaoli culture has led to the development of unique methods of teaching Chan, including Shaolin Kung, which is a form of physical meditation.

The temple would provide a retreat for people of all ages to learn about Chan Buddhism. No site has been selected but it is hoped it would be on the south coast.

“We have beach, forest, pretty much everything,” said Shi Yan Ming.

He hopes it could be possible to build a temple in the next five or six years.

“This is a really good way to spread the Chan Buddhism and Shaolin culture to everybody. I've been teaching here for over 10 years. Before, I was doing it myself. I realised it would take all my life doing that. If I can ask people from the general public who are interested in Buddhism, they can help my dream to come true.”