Hey bornin86, thanks so much. it's really great to hear that you enjoyed my book. You're not the first person to ask about Little Tiger. I should have included it in the book. I didn't see him when I went back but I heard that he had left the Temple to try his luck in the Beijing movie business. I hope he makes it.
Hey kitchmann, thank you for your note. i'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed my book and that it inspired you. i'm sure you'd have quite the trip at Shaolin. all the best with your training, matt
Matt thank you for responding to me. Your book has really inspired me. I have a learning disability and my whole life people have told me I can't do things that I really wanted to. Well I will never forget the day I e-mailed My Dad and told him I was going to Japan to live for a while. So I relate so much to your book. Now I'm back and my goal is to finish college so I can open my own language school in Japan. When I feel like giving up I will remember that you hung in there. -Chris
It was without question the good Kansas upbringing. And the values I learned in the Heartland. So great to hear you're enjoying the book. Thank you. You've lifted my spirits.
Hey bobbylei, thanks so much for your note. I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed my book and found it accurate and entertaining. Best wishes with your training and your writing. It'll be a great adventure.
Love you Matthew Polly. You are beginning to become a household name lol 😂 joe rogan was talking about you and your book on his show and he mentioned your name. Your book American shaolin shaped my whole summer last year going into senior year. Reading your book in little pieces day by day during the summer. Inspired me to start taking care of my body like the monks talked in the book. I tried to follow the exact workouts you and the monks did and although looking back on 17 year old me in backyard trying to imitate shaolin workouts it’s just embarrassing to think about. Lol But I look back on that summer so fondly as I was so invested and inspired by your book I would save the readings for nights and mid day readings Reading piece by piece Easily one of my favorite books of all time and I’ll never forget you and your story Matthew 🤧 And I have yet to read your Bruce lee biography you wrote! Got to save it for the perfect time! Haha Long time fan so I thought I should leave a comment showing my appreciation for you and your work. It changed me for the better. Take care Matt if you are reading this! I will never forget you and your story
@AstralVids Hey, thanks for the kind note. I'm very happy you enjoyed it. A friend of mine took the cover photo for a Burger King ad for their new vegetarian burger in Asia. BK didn't go with the photo, so I was fortunate enough to be able to use it. Amituofo, Matt
That's very kind of you. I'm so glad to hear that someone who taught in China enjoyed it. We're definitely working on the movie angle. I hope you enjoy the next book as much as American Shaolin.
Xie, Xie, ni, Eric. Much appreciated. Glad you liked the Bartleby joke. My editor tried to get me to pull it. Hope you enjoy the next book as much. Amitoufu, Matt
From works from Lao-Tzu to Alan Watts, no other book has given me the insight into Chinese thought as much as American Shaolin. Matthew, your book was absolutely amazing. What a charming read. -Keny Butler
@SmokeCheck4 Thanks you, my friend. That's a very kind things of you to say. And I'm very happy to hear that your friend serving time enjoyed it as well.
Xie xie. The book is called "American Shaolin." The temple is in Henan. And they gave me the higher foreigner discount. Glad you had an amazing time in China. Mine was as well.
Hi Matt, I just spent my spring break reading your book, it was awesome! I visited Shaolin Temple once when I was 15, and they said I could take lessons but I said I had to finish school. However I found your book very entertaining and accurate about Chinese culture. I just spent a year in Hong Kong (had one kickboxing match there), and I'm going back in June when I finish my degree. I'd also like to write a book about China someday. Anyway wish you luck and keep me posted on what you do.
I chose to read this book for my English class simply because it looked better than the other choices. I'm not a big reader but I absolutely loved the book. The humor you had really made it easy to read. So thank you for making dreadful summer reading a delight. By the way, what made you want to share your story and experiences with the world?
I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Thank you. As for what I was thinking re: the Triad guys, honestly I have no idea. All I can say was I was young and foolish. Cheers.
American Shaolin is an awesome read, weather your a martial artist, a fight fan, or just a fan of having a great laugh while cheering on the underdog.... Polly is also a pretty talented martial artist as well.
Hey, thanks for you comment. Glad you liked the interview. The book, American Shaolin, comes out in February. Fox has a screenwriter adapting the book. So at the moment it is wait and see.
Pretty sure. I was confused by the translation. It's not called one finger Zen in Chinese. I've seen the video of the old guy doing it. He wasn't at Shaolin when I was there. The best I ever saw was Monk Lipeng's two finger handstand.
Polly 先生, Great interview, great book. As a fellow Kansan studying Chinese and martial arts, it's cool to see. I'll most likely be studying in China next year, maybe I'll find a university near Henan. Thanks again for posting!
The last practitioner of Yi Zhi Chan or One Finger Zen is the late Rev. Hai Deng, he was the same generation as Sun JianYun (Sp?), granddaughter of creator of Sun Style Taichi. He would have passed away before Matt visited Shaolin, so I fail to see it as a surprise that Matt doesnt know. Btw Matt just finished your book, loved it and as a ethnic Chinese myself it made things even funnnier :P
I'm pretty sure most of your questions can be answered by reading the book. But most of the moves you see in movies are adjustments from traditional kung fu moves--jazzed up for film.
Just Bought your book about 2 days ago. I'm very surprised how accurate your descriptions are. I've personally been to both chengzhen and Beijing. The Train stations are just as you described. While my stay in China Da Shan was all over TV. He had a show every night (possibly his more important one was his english lesson ones.) Just so you know you can buy Jian Li Bao here in NYC and they taste pretty good imo. Congrats on the book.
I read your book while in juvinile detention and i am now extremely interested in chinese culture and martial arts. i got many other teens to read the book while in detention they all loved it!
Ni hao, Mr. Polly, A friend recommended your book since I am studying Wing Chun and Mandarin Chinese. I just finished reading it, and it was awesome (well-told and great humor;) sad for it to end. The Bartleby reference was enjoyed. In a conclusionary manner, I look forward to your next book. Xie xie, Eric O
The studio hired someone else to adapt my book into a screenplay. How did I survive on my weak-ass Mandarin? Not very well at first. I did get ripped off all the time. I just got engaged and will get married next year. So it took me forever, but I can finally scratch that off the list.
Very smart question! It must have been something in the air, because it was a total fluke. When I arrived at the Temple in Sept 1992, I immediately heard there had been an American film crew making a movie that I later discovered was called "American Shaolin" in May 1992. (The monk had trained the lead actor and said he was slow.) I didn't see the movie until after I left Shaolin. I thought it was pretty mediocre, but I liked the title, so I "borrowed" it.
hi matthew, i am malcolm from the uk, and seen the movie years ago when i got it on video and just today found it on you tube...i am a kung fu instructor in a litte known small style which i have been training in since 1988 i have also been involved in other styles also over last 25+ years. i know my comment here is over 2 years late or more compared to others lol. but my question is this..is ur book still available to purchase in the UK? thanks in advance if u read this.
The Chinese didn't really know what to do with african americans. americans are "laowai"; africans are "heiren" (black people). so it would probably depend on the chinese person in question.
Matthew I happened to find your book in a bookstore, and since I have the same love of Shaolin that you do, I picked it up and gave it a read. It is the funniest book I have read in a loooong time. It was a really easy read, and has great insight as to what Shaolin life is like (or was back in the 90s). Hopefully I can fulfill my "bucket list" item and train there one day as well. Btw, did you ever get around to meeting Dashan? (rofl!)
Thanks for posting. I haven't read your book but enjoyed the clip I want to know more about the Shaolin school. Who was the most skilled monk you came in contact with? And are most of the routines we see in movies entirely fabricated or are someof them taken directly from real kung fu moves? Thanks.
Hey Matt, I picked up your book today, because I do everything FIGHTLINKER says. Its a great read so far, so the recommendation was much appreciated. I found it hard to go to a local gym to learn Muay Thai, but shit if you can drop everything and go to china I guess I can drive the 10 miles to eat a copious amount of leg kicks. Way to inpsire sir. I look forward to the next book, as im sure many of the "Jackals" do also. -Brian
I'm reading the book now, about a quarter way through it. (A little late to the party, I guess?) It's excellent so far, and this interview was good as well. Just out of curiosity, do you still talk to any of the monks you met while training?
I'm halfway into the book, a fantastic and quick read. Thank you for writing it. One question for Matthew, are you still practicing any martial arts, or any Buddhist or Taoist disciplines?
@Bilawaski There is indeed. But a pretty small one. I'd guess about 75-100 people. They are encouraged to laugh at certain points, which is probably why it seems like a laugh track on TV.
That's great. Would love to see it in film medium. I hope the filmmaker will do justice to it. I hope you do have a hand through out the process, because I am currently reading the free preview of your book from iTunes. I like what I have read so far. Pierre, "But I kick him with this boot, my boot right up his ass." (Paraphrasing) LOL. All the while, as a novice (hehe), you was scare of your own predicament for putting yourself in a challenge with a master kungfu. EPIC.
Mr. Polly, you may already been flooded with the following question, but I had to ask, "Have you seen or heard of the movie AMERICAN SHAOLIN, KING OF KICKBOXERS 2 that was released about the same time when you left Princeton University. In the interview above, one of your professor was your catalyst to go to the Shaolin temple and you thought that it was fictional, was it just a fluke of your life imitate art, or did this little film had any influence on your decision?"
Matt, I just read half your book and can't put it down. When you went back did you ever run in to Moon the key girl? Sorry for some reason she sticks out in my mind a lot LOL.
very interesting!i d like to read ur book,but i m not so sure that i can find it in greece:(the only chinese book i ve read(translated of course!) was the epic Hsi OU ji.so id like to read something related to the shaolin culture
@maxtaylor1410 They assign my book at Vanderbilt?! That is awesome to hear. And thank you for your kind words about it. I'm glad some "muthafucka"s have snuck into the Ivory Towers and perverted a few minds.
hey matt, your book rocked. bought it a few days ago and couldnt put it down. great read. I got a question for you. When you went back to visit 10 years later, did you ever find or see little tiger when he was older? muda fuckha
there are 2 masters in shaolin who are able to do the one finger zen. are you sure you have BEEN to shaolin? how can you not know that.. i've even seen it on chinese tv..
![Anthony Hopkins - "This Is The Stupidest Show I've Ever Been On" - 2/2 Visits In Order [Texmagery]](/img/1.gif)
that's great to hear coming someone who was there. it means a lot.
Hey bornin86, thanks so much. it's really great to hear that you enjoyed my book. You're not the first person to ask about Little Tiger. I should have included it in the book. I didn't see him when I went back but I heard that he had left the Temple to try his luck in the Beijing movie business. I hope he makes it.
Hey kitchmann, thank you for your note. i'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed my book and that it inspired you. i'm sure you'd have quite the trip at Shaolin. all the best with your training, matt
Matt thank you for responding to me.
Your book has really inspired me.
I have a learning disability and my whole
life people have told me I can't do things
that I really wanted to. Well I will never
forget the day I e-mailed My Dad and told
him I was going to Japan to live for a while.
So I relate so much to your book.
Now I'm back and my goal is to finish
college so I can open my own language school in Japan. When I feel like giving up I will
remember that you hung in there.
-Chris
It was without question the good Kansas upbringing. And the values I learned in the Heartland. So great to hear you're enjoying the book. Thank you. You've lifted my spirits.
Your note was so goddamn good I finished it in two seconds! Thanks so much for the kind words, so glad to hear you enjoyed American Shaolin.
thank you. i'm happy to hear you got a copy of my book. I hope you enjoy it. And I agree, I hope it is made into a moie as well. Amituofo, Matthew
thank you for buying and reading. i really appreciate it. and i'm very happy to hear that you are enjoying it.
Hey bobbylei, thanks so much for your note. I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed my book and found it accurate and entertaining. Best wishes with your training and your writing. It'll be a great adventure.
thank you so much for your note. i'm very happy that you are enjoying the book.
Amituofo,
Matthew
Love you Matthew Polly. You are beginning to become a household name lol 😂 joe rogan was talking about you and your book on his show and he mentioned your name.
Your book American shaolin shaped my whole summer last year going into senior year.
Reading your book in little pieces day by day during the summer. Inspired me to start taking care of my body like the monks talked in the book. I tried to follow the exact workouts you and the monks did and although looking back on 17 year old me in backyard trying to imitate shaolin workouts it’s just embarrassing to think about. Lol
But I look back on that summer so fondly as I was so invested and inspired by your book I would save the readings for nights and mid day readings
Reading piece by piece
Easily one of my favorite books of all time and I’ll never forget you and your story Matthew 🤧
And I have yet to read your Bruce lee biography you wrote!
Got to save it for the perfect time! Haha
Long time fan so I thought I should leave a comment showing my appreciation for you and your work. It changed me for the better.
Take care Matt if you are reading this!
I will never forget you and your story
Thank you, brother, for your very kind words. They made my day. As the monks say, "Amituofu."
My favorite part of going was getting a chance to live and train with the monks. They were amazing.
Thanks so much. I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed the book and found it inspiring. Amituofo, Matt
@AstralVids Hey, thanks for the kind note. I'm very happy you enjoyed it. A friend of mine took the cover photo for a Burger King ad for their new vegetarian burger in Asia. BK didn't go with the photo, so I was fortunate enough to be able to use it. Amituofo, Matt
Darn that Dashan! Will he never stop?
Very glad you enjoyed the book. It means a lot coming from someone who has lived there. Amituofo.
So glad I was able to improve on your summer. Great to hear. The Abbott of the Shaolin Temple asked me to write the story.
That's very kind of you. I'm so glad to hear that someone who taught in China enjoyed it. We're definitely working on the movie angle. I hope you enjoy the next book as much as American Shaolin.
Xie, Xie, ni, Eric. Much appreciated. Glad you liked the Bartleby joke. My editor tried to get me to pull it. Hope you enjoy the next book as much. Amitoufu, Matt
that's fantastic to hear. thank you for letting me know. and i hope Fox does as well.
Thank you so much. I'm very happy to hear that the book appealed to your non-main stream tastes :)
From works from Lao-Tzu to Alan Watts, no other book has given me the insight into Chinese thought as much as American Shaolin. Matthew, your book was absolutely amazing. What a charming read.
-Keny Butler
@SmokeCheck4 Thanks you, my friend. That's a very kind things of you to say. And I'm very happy to hear that your friend serving time enjoyed it as well.
If you bought a copy, you are never late. I just had dinner last night with Monk Lipeng. He's become a martial arts movie producer.
Xie xie. The book is called "American Shaolin." The temple is in Henan. And they gave me the higher foreigner discount. Glad you had an amazing time in China. Mine was as well.
That's great to hear! I wish you all the best with your studies and your martial arts journey.
she's been known to stick out in my mind too. But alas, no, I never ran into her again. I'm glad you are enjoying the book.
i trained at shaolin for one year. when i finished my training i read the book and it brought back some good memories. (hen hao de yi ben shu)
Just picked up your book at Barnes & Noble 2 nights ago and have been reading it a bunch. I'm really enjoying it, thank you for writing it.
Hi Matt, I just spent my spring break reading your book, it was awesome! I visited Shaolin Temple once when I was 15, and they said I could take lessons but I said I had to finish school. However I found your book very entertaining and accurate about Chinese culture. I just spent a year in Hong Kong (had one kickboxing match there), and I'm going back in June when I finish my degree. I'd also like to write a book about China someday. Anyway wish you luck and keep me posted on what you do.
I chose to read this book for my English class simply because it looked better than the other choices. I'm not a big reader but I absolutely loved the book. The humor you had really made it easy to read. So thank you for making dreadful summer reading a delight. By the way, what made you want to share your story and experiences with the world?
Loving the book so far. Almost half-way through and it is getting really good.
He's great. Very charismatic.
Thank you on both accounts. I'm very happy you enjoyed the book. I wish you the best in you studies in China.
Go Jayhawks!
Amituofo,
Matt
thank you so much. i'm glad you enjoyed it. Go Chargers! :)
I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Thank you. As for what I was thinking re: the Triad guys, honestly I have no idea. All I can say was I was young and foolish. Cheers.
An inspiring book, found it after I had just recently found myself eager to learn the Buddhist teachings and ways of life
American Shaolin is an awesome read, weather your a martial artist, a fight fan, or just a fan of having a great laugh while cheering on the underdog.... Polly is also a pretty talented martial artist as well.
Hey, thanks for you comment. Glad you liked the interview. The book, American Shaolin, comes out in February. Fox has a screenwriter adapting the book. So at the moment it is wait and see.
These days there are a lot of great Shaolin teachers in America. That wasn't the case in 1992 when I went there.
Pretty sure. I was confused by the translation. It's not called one finger Zen in Chinese. I've seen the video of the old guy doing it. He wasn't at Shaolin when I was there. The best I ever saw was Monk Lipeng's two finger handstand.
Polly 先生,
Great interview, great book. As a fellow Kansan studying Chinese and martial arts, it's cool to see. I'll most likely be studying in China next year, maybe I'll find a university near Henan. Thanks again for posting!
The last practitioner of Yi Zhi Chan or One Finger Zen is the late Rev. Hai Deng, he was the same generation as Sun JianYun (Sp?), granddaughter of creator of Sun Style Taichi. He would have passed away before Matt visited Shaolin, so I fail to see it as a surprise that Matt doesnt know.
Btw Matt just finished your book, loved it and as a ethnic Chinese myself it made things even funnnier :P
i just got your book yesterday and i can't wait to read it!! i was born in 92 by the way. so that seems funny to me
I'm pretty sure most of your questions can be answered by reading the book. But most of the moves you see in movies are adjustments from traditional kung fu moves--jazzed up for film.
@MrSeekerofjustice He was indeed from India. Buddhism was born in India and missionaries took it to China.
you should be able to find it at most English language book stores or at least be able to order it.
great to hear from you. yes, i do. how is she? i hope all is well.
Just Bought your book about 2 days ago. I'm very surprised how accurate your descriptions are. I've personally been to both chengzhen and Beijing. The Train stations are just as you described. While my stay in China Da Shan was all over TV. He had a show every night (possibly his more important one was his english lesson ones.)
Just so you know you can buy Jian Li Bao here in NYC and they taste pretty good imo. Congrats on the book.
Thank you.
I read your book while in juvinile detention and i am now extremely interested in chinese culture and martial arts. i got many other teens to read the book while in detention they all loved it!
Your book was so goddamn good! I finished it two days ago for my summer reading for school, thanks for this great read!
@1robertpolson
Amitoufu, Thank you brother.
Ni hao, Mr. Polly,
A friend recommended your book since I am studying Wing Chun and Mandarin Chinese. I just finished reading it, and it was awesome (well-told and great humor;) sad for it to end. The Bartleby reference was enjoyed. In a conclusionary manner, I look forward to your next book.
Xie xie,
Eric O
Try to keep it fun.
The studio hired someone else to adapt my book into a screenplay. How did I survive on my weak-ass Mandarin? Not very well at first. I did get ripped off all the time. I just got engaged and will get married next year. So it took me forever, but I can finally scratch that off the list.
Feel free to tell me what you think about it. We're trying to turn it into either a TV show or a movie.
Very smart question! It must have been something in the air, because it was a total fluke. When I arrived at the Temple in Sept 1992, I immediately heard there had been an American film crew making a movie that I later discovered was called "American Shaolin" in May 1992. (The monk had trained the lead actor and said he was slow.) I didn't see the movie until after I left Shaolin. I thought it was pretty mediocre, but I liked the title, so I "borrowed" it.
No, I've never heard of that. But it wouldn't surprise me if there was One Finger Zen. The world of kung fu is crazy.
Great book! I enjoyed it totally.
hi matthew, i am malcolm from the uk, and seen the movie years ago when i got it on video and just today found it on you tube...i am a kung fu instructor in a litte known small style which i have been training in since 1988 i have also been involved in other styles also over last 25+ years. i know my comment here is over 2 years late or more compared to others lol. but my question is this..is ur book still available to purchase in the UK? thanks in advance if u read this.
I finished his new book Bruce Lee A Life and I HIGHLY recommend it
i'll remember.
Thank you my friend! I am going to china for the Air Force so I'm trying to gear up for what ever is to come!
Great interview. Almost done with Polly’s book; 5 star*****
So glad you are enjoying the book!
DUDE!!! youve met craig ferguson that is so kick ass whats he like i love his show
The Chinese didn't really know what to do with african americans. americans are "laowai"; africans are "heiren" (black people). so it would probably depend on the chinese person in question.
Matthew I happened to find your book in a bookstore, and since I have the same love of Shaolin that you do, I picked it up and gave it a read. It is the funniest book I have read in a loooong time. It was a really easy read, and has great insight as to what Shaolin life is like (or was back in the 90s). Hopefully I can fulfill my "bucket list" item and train there one day as well. Btw, did you ever get around to meeting Dashan? (rofl!)
I hope you enjoyed it.
@MatthewPolly
I cant wait to read this one.
Btw great interview with Craig Ferguson mate.
Keny,
As the Chinese say, "Where? Where? Where?"
Amituofo,
Matt
Thanks for posting. I haven't read your book but enjoyed the clip I want to know more about the Shaolin school. Who was the most skilled monk you came in contact with? And are most of the routines we see in movies entirely fabricated or are someof them taken directly from real kung fu moves? Thanks.
Hey Matt, I picked up your book today, because I do everything FIGHTLINKER says. Its a great read so far, so the recommendation was much appreciated. I found it hard to go to a local gym to learn Muay Thai, but shit if you can drop everything and go to china I guess I can drive the 10 miles to eat a copious amount of leg kicks. Way to inpsire sir. I look forward to the next book, as im sure many of the "Jackals" do also.
-Brian
@grantjackson108
thanks, mate. I hope you enjoy it.
Wow, what a great coincidence. Yeah the movie was a fun romp, and I will be buying your book. Thanks for taking your time to respond.
More interesting to me is you get to meet Craig Ferguson before Geoff was built before the dancing horse before he was the best late night host ever
I'm reading the book now, about a quarter way through it. (A little late to the party, I guess?) It's excellent so far, and this interview was good as well.
Just out of curiosity, do you still talk to any of the monks you met while training?
I'm halfway into the book, a fantastic and quick read. Thank you for writing it. One question for Matthew, are you still practicing any martial arts, or any Buddhist or Taoist disciplines?
hey matt, would an african american be considered as a "Laowai"?
nice songs
@Bilawaski There is indeed. But a pretty small one. I'd guess about 75-100 people. They are encouraged to laugh at certain points, which is probably why it seems like a laugh track on TV.
nope, they don't have red hot urns. hollywood invented that legend.
That's great. Would love to see it in film medium. I hope the filmmaker will do justice to it. I hope you do have a hand through out the process, because I am currently reading the free preview of your book from iTunes. I like what I have read so far. Pierre, "But I kick him with this boot, my boot right up his ass." (Paraphrasing) LOL. All the while, as a novice (hehe), you was scare of your own predicament for putting yourself in a challenge with a master kungfu. EPIC.
Mr. Polly, you may already been flooded with the following question, but I had to ask, "Have you seen or heard of the movie AMERICAN SHAOLIN, KING OF KICKBOXERS 2 that was released about the same time when you left Princeton University. In the interview above, one of your professor was your catalyst to go to the Shaolin temple and you thought that it was fictional, was it just a fluke of your life imitate art, or did this little film had any influence on your decision?"
Thanks, I hope you get a chance to check out my book, American Shaolin, and you'll see how I did it.
Yeah, it's myspace slash matthewpolly
Matt, I just read half your book and
can't put it down. When you went back
did you ever run in to Moon the key girl?
Sorry for some reason she sticks out in my
mind a lot LOL.
very interesting!i d like to read ur book,but i m not so sure that i can find it in greece:(the only chinese book i ve read(translated of course!) was the epic Hsi OU ji.so id like to read something related to the shaolin culture
@maxtaylor1410
They assign my book at Vanderbilt?! That is awesome to hear. And thank you for your kind words about it. I'm glad some "muthafucka"s have snuck into the Ivory Towers and perverted a few minds.
nice movie
I did do weapons training.
some northern style, but I was never clear which one.
@grantjackson108
"American Shaolin", mate
I'm sure you will do well. Just be brash. Freak out their pre-conceptions. I wish you all the best in your path.
When you graduated from the temple did you have to pick up on of those red hot urns with your forearms?
Also, can Bruce Lee beat Mighty Mouse?
No, they have a script and they are currently looking for the right director first. Fingers crossed.
Great book makes you question what it means to be a man
Whats your book called mate?
hey matt, your book rocked. bought it a few days ago and couldnt put it down. great read. I got a question for you. When you went back to visit 10 years later, did you ever find or see little tiger when he was older? muda fuckha
there are 2 masters in shaolin who are able to do the one finger zen. are you sure you have BEEN to shaolin? how can you not know that.. i've even seen it on chinese tv..
very very songs....
oh really, how was it?