The Disciple Pilgrimage to Shaolin: Peter Chin’s Return - Abbot's Greetings.
- Jade UNO
- May 27
- 2 min read
A Pilgrimage of Honor: Peter Chin’s Return to Shaolin— from Las Vegas to the Heart of China - May 15, 2025
At 80 years old, Peter Chin began a journey that would bring his life full circle — from the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada, all the way to the sacred grounds of the Shaolin Temple in China. This was no ordinary trip; it was a pilgrimage rooted in memory, legacy, and a friendship that shaped the course of martial arts history.
With his daughter Jade Chin by his side, Peter made the long trek to reconnect with an old acquaintance — the Abbot of Shaolin, a figure of immense spiritual and cultural presence. Though decades had passed since their last meeting, the Abbot greeted Peter not as a distant visitor, but as an old friend returning home. The embrace of that moment — quiet, dignified, and deeply moving — spoke of mutual respect and the passage of time only strengthening the bond between two elders of different worlds, yet one heart.
The visit centered around the release of Peter's memoir: “The Last Disciple – My Memoirs with Bruce Lee.” In the very hall where centuries of martial tradition echo in the wood and stone, Peter presented the Abbot with his book. Together, they stood beneath ancient calligraphy and the gaze of serene Buddhas, a snapshot of East meeting West, past embracing present.
What happened next, no one expected.
We had been told — respectfully and realistically — that the Abbot usually speaks with guests for only 5 minutes, due to his many responsibilities and the sacred rhythm of temple life. But with Peter, that 5 minutes became 20… and then some. Their conversation wandered through memory, through philosophy, and through Bruce. Peter shared with the Abbot that when they first spoke over 30 years ago, he expressed to Peter,
“Bruce Lee put China back on the map.”
That line struck Peter like thunder and warmed him like tea. To hear those words — not from a fan, but from a spiritual leader of such standing — was a moment of tremendous honor. It reaffirmed Peter’s life’s work: not only to preserve Bruce Lee’s teachings, but to honor their spirit in action and reflection.
The journey wasn’t easy. At 80, navigating international travel, the mountains, and the physical demands of the temple grounds could have seemed overwhelming. But with a loyal support group and the quiet strength of Jade at his side, Peter arrived not only with grace — but with laughter, wisdom, and the energy of a man whose heart still burns brightly for the path he walks.
That day at the temple was more than a book launch. It was a return, a reunion, and a moment when the past came home — carried on the shoulders of legacy, love, and the art of formlessness.
