Bulgarian Prince Finds New Name and Discipline at Shaolin Monastery

Prince Simeon of Bulgaria, the 19-year-old royal, has embarked on an unconventional path, trading palace luxuries for the discipline of Shaolin Kung Fu in China. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Princess Kalina, known for her athletic pursuits, Prince Simeon has developed a passion for physical training, previously honing his skills in taekwondo in South Korea.

His journey led him to Mount Song in Henan Province in November. After completing his preliminary training, he was given the Chinese name Si Miao Tian, meaning 'Great Disciple of Buddha of the Magnificent Heaven.' The Shaolin school highlighted that Prince Simeon is the sole Western student among its ranks. A significant moment for him was his official acceptance as a disciple by the renowned Master Wang Hengying, who is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese martial arts culture.

The prince's daily life at the monastery was demanding. He adhered to the same schedule as all other students, waking at 5 a.m. for an intensive program of eight to ten hours of training daily. For two months, he was without a phone, with communication limited to calls arranged by the school. The school made a minor exception, allowing him to stay with trainers due to a language barrier with his peers, accommodating him in the impressive 58,000-square-meter complex near Dengfeng city.

“

After passing the exam, what filled him with the most joy was being accepted as a disciple by the great master Wang Hengying in an official ceremony. This meant a great deal to Simeon. Master Wang Hengying, who is dedicated to spreading and promoting traditional Chinese martial arts culture, has been the one guiding and training him