More Shaolin history & deadly military fighting style

[Hungman]

To all,

The Shaolin history and military connection from Sifu Gene Chan in San Francisco.


Chu Gar Artical
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Hakka Praying Mantis Chugar Gao: The Real Southern Mantis Boxing Sifu Chen Chino Hong
Chu Gar Gao (Chu family religion) is a way of boxing developed with one purpose in mind: destroying the enemy. Understand that Chu Gar was created by the Ming Emperor's family (Chu Fook To) to serve the Ming Dynasty at a time when the Ching (Northern Manchurians) had invaded and taken control (1644 AD). Restore the Ming; Overthrow the Ching, was the primary purpose of the Chu Gar Style and the slogan of the day. It was the ruthlessness, bloodshed and violence of the manchu rulers as they hunted down and destroyed revolutionaries of the Ming dynasty (Chu family) that caused Chu Gar to develop into a direct, deadly military fighting style---destroy the enemy before being destroyed.

Chu Fook To, of the Ming imperial court retreated to the sanctuary of the Northern Shaolin monastery and in pursuit the Ching court burned Songshan Shaolin forcing Chu and the Ming loyalists to flee southward where they settled at Fukien Shaolin with Chu Fook To becoming abbot and changing his name to "Tung Sim" (anguish) due to his deep anguish and hatred for the Ching's reign of terror and suffering. It was during this time that the Chu family boxing style was nicknamed "Southern Praying Mantis" in order to confuse the style with the Northern Shandong Mantis styles and avoid the persecution of the Ching soldiers.

The Chu family and Ming Loyalists who fled from the north southward became known as the Hakka (Ke-ren or guest people) in South China and the style was kept a Hakka secret as it passed generation upon generation until 1949 when Lau Sui, the Grandmaster who brought Hakka praying mantis to Hong Kong taught the first Non-Hakka generation (although this non-Hakka named Yi Sui became his son-in-law). From the time of Chu Fook To, the Chu family boxing passed to Lam
Pok Koon who taught Chu Nam Chea, who then settled in Kwantung province. At this time the "South Mantis" followers were enough to form a large army and became recognized as a "para religious sect" or Chu Gar Gao. Others such as wong Chun So, Wong Wo Wing and Wong Wo Chek continued to propagate Chu Gar down to Lau Choi Koon who during the Tai Ping (boxer) rebellion in the early 1900's taught the militiamen how to fight. Still others such as Yuen Chun, Kwai Chi Bong, Hon Loy Chung, Lee Mok Long carried the style to the present with great distinctions. The style as it is known today in the USA is primarily due to the brothers Lau Sui and Lau Fu Yuen who settled in Hong Kong in 1915.

Lau Sui opened the style in 1949 in Hong Kong when his five disciples each separated and created three separate streams within the style.. Chu Kwong Wha was Hakka, Chu Yu Hing was Hakka, Lum Wha was Hakka, Wong Hong Kwong was Hakka and Yi Sui who married Lau Sui's daughter became the first Non-Hakka to learn the system of Chu Gar Gao. After Lau Sui's death, his son-in-law, Yi Sui created the second stream known as Zhao Gar, named after Zhao An Nam who he proclaimed was the first ancestor of the style. Kwong Sai Jook Lum Southern Mantis became a third door of the style when a student of Lau Sui in Hong Kong wanted to make a movie in which the South Mantis would be defeated. When Lau Sui would not approve, the student broke away to create the Kwangsai Jook Lum stream of the style. Thus today, we know of three Southern mantis styles with one origin: Chu Gar, the original, Zhao Gar created by Yi Sui, and Kwong Sai Jook Lum created by Lau Sui's student.

I began to learn the Chu Gar style in 1953 from Chu Yu Hing's top disciple, Dong Yet Long, who was a cook at a local school. I was only a school boy then and when I approached Master Dong, he at once refused to teach, denying any knowedge of the art. However, through persistence and after approaching him again with my Mother by my side and making offerings of chicken, pork and wine I was finally accepted and introduced to Chu Yu Hing. Under his tutelage for 6 or 7 years the learning was slow but precise and it was at this time Choi Gam Man, a student of Chu Yu Hing taught me Yang's Tai Chi.

In 1959, along with my family I moved to the USA and it wasn't until 2 years later that I returned to Hong Kong to see Master Dong Yet Long and the Chu Gar family. During that time I trained with Yi Sui, Chu Yu Hing and Dong Yet Long and after six months resumed to the USA The next year (1962). I returned to Hong Kong and saw all the Chu Gar family but Yi Sui spending several months there. It wasn't for three years that I would return again to see everyone (except Wong Hong Kwong who had passed away). In that year (1965) Dong Yet Long gave a big banquet and Lum Wha, Yi Sui and Chu Yu Hing were all in attendance. During the banquet Yi Sui invited me to visit him the next day and I did so carrying gifts of herbs and teas. In exchange Yi Sui passed some Chu Gar sets on to me as a gift.
His student Ho Ju Yuan was still around at that time and our friendships increased.
In 1970 Master Dong Yet Long conferred on me the title of Chief Instructor with certificate and Chu Yu Hing granted the title of Instructor with Certificate in 1971.
During the 1970's I returned several times to visit my old teachers, classmates and friends and during this period I began to teach Chu Gar in the USA to a few selected students. In 1975 I stopped teaching the style due to the increased interest in the style and because I couldn't teach the style to just anyone based on the fact that the style is primarily focused on fighting.

The Chu Gar style is a complete system and is very dangerous. You learn to fight in a short time of training. It is an internal style capable of delivering internal force similar to a bent spring that has explosive force when released.

Although recognized as an in fighting style with the ability to explode power in any direction from short distances, the system's method also extends the arms longer than most northern styles by constantly rounding the back and stretching the arms, shoulders and rib cage also by shifting body angles for extension. Hence, the ability to use explosive force at short and longer than usual distances.

Basic training of this style consists of following the guiding principles such as sink, like a woven rice strainer;legs must have the ability to leap like a frog and maneuver like a tiger; no T stance and no 8 stance; punch straight from the center line and standing beggar style with open hands. The most important aspect of training is known as two man feeding.
Feeding hands is the constant teaching of feeling and sensitivity, yielding and redirecting incoming power with mantis hand methods and simultaneously striking back with explosive force. Feeding hands is known as 'push hands' in Tai Chi but follows different patterns in Chu Gar with a different emphasis. Feeding hands employs circular movement which appears soft and is generated from the dantien as a pent up spring force all the sudden released with devastating explosive power with impact hard as iron. When feeding hands the emphasis is to never lose contact of the opponent; as long as you can feel the enemy you can control him; this is known as making a bridge. Feeding hands trains one to Become extremely fast and alive, that is, able to react to the enemy's power. The majority of styles don't have This 'live power' and their power is dead power, that is, once an attack is launched there is no ability to change until completely executed or no ability to react to the enemy's immediate counter power. This feeding hands includes lower limbs as
well. Auxiliary training in the style contains rolling iron bars along the arm 'bridges', using the iron rings along the Forearms, training finger strength by special methods
of throwing and grabbing sandbags, and use of a medicine ball to strengthen the whole body.

Chu Gar is an internal style. It follows internal principles and it borrows the enemies strength and uses it against them. The fist is also different and is known as "Fen An" or phoenix eye. This allows maneuverability in very quick action. It might be referred to as "acupuncture boxing" due to the fact that the single index knuckle is used to strike vital acupuncture centers in rapid succession without pulling back to a chambered position. Coupled with the internal spring power the mantis strike becomes deadly.

Compare a normal fist strike to a mantis fist strike. A normal fist has a large surface area and when it strikes the rib cage for example it does great damage to the outside of the body, bruising the muscles and tendons on the outside, however,
the mantis fist used with the internal explosive force created during feeding hands exercises, goes between the ribs in a focused way doing damage to the outside of the body but also leaving the internal organs bruised and damaged Internally. A practical example of this difference can be seen when striking a heavy cardboard box. Set the box on a table and strike it with a normal closed fist and watch the result. Then strike it with the mantis fist or with a single finger penetration. The latter is focused and creates a single small hole. Couple this strike with the internal spring force and knowledge of acupuncture and Chu Gar becomes deadly.

Learning the Chu Gar style is like learning to drive a car. You learn how to steer, how to brake, how to turn, how to accelerate, etc. and in the beginning each is a task which needs concentration. But after a while, you perform all the operations of driving without conscious effort. So it is with learning kungfu. You learn the basic footwork of the style, the basic hand technique, the forms, the feeding hands, etc. until you perform the movements shifting weight side to side, forward and backward while employing the lightning fast hands of catching, holding, clasping, pressing, spearing, flicking, slicing, chopping, hooking, poking and exploding fingers
without conscious effort.

Chu Gar fights from an upright position, never too low to impair response and speed. Using the feeling hands of the mantis, the Chu Gar boxer closes the gap, crosses the bridge, feels his enemies power, yields, then with the weight of the
whole body and the explosive power of internal energy concentrated into one small area destroys the enemy within one exchange that doesn't stop until blood is drawn.

Practicing Chu Gar makes one aggressive in nature. And the constant rubbing, feeling, and turning of power acquired during feeding hands gives one confidence to defeat the enemy. Because of this I do not teach the Chu Gar openly today.
Even when teaching, there are many techniques which are taught only to disciples within the family.

Chu Gar is a lost art. Few Masters remain and they have no interest to publicly teach this style. It is for this reason that I have considered to preserve and teach the basics of this rare military art through books and video tape, however, I have come to no satisfactory conclusion to do so.

As a member of the Chen's family of Chenjiagou village, I have mastered Chen style Taijiquan and today teach Chen's Taiji in the San Francisco Bay area. Having Chu Gar as a foundation was of great benefit, but in today's society we do not need to concentrate on fighting or overthrowing the officials. Chen's Taiji is also a highly effective and deadly combat art, but it is much more. It is a way of life teaching harmony, relaxation and tranquility. A way of adapting to life's complexities.

PUBLISHERS NOTE: If interested in the Chu Gar style, please write to us at POB 31578, San Francisco, CA 94131. Perhaps we can persuade Chen Sifu to make a video tape with your letters in hand.

About the Author: Sifu Chen Ching Hong (Gene) was born in 1938 in Shanghai, China. A member of the Chen's family village, he is a Master of the Chen's Taijiquan and President of Chen's Taiji Association in the USA Sifu Chen is also one of only a handful of Masters recognized and certified as an Instructor by Lau Sui's Chu Gar Hakka family.

From Martial Arts of China Vol. 2, No. 1 , Page 18

http://pub159.ezboard.com/bsouthernprayingmantiskungfu

[Hungman]

From Wing Lam website...

Introduction

Martial arts history is a very complicated an inexact science. Each style started with one man or a small group and expanded and evolved through countless generations. Some systems were developed and perfected by the military, while others were developed by the monks of many temples (particularly the Shaolin Temple in Denfeng China). Still others were developed by criminal organizations or underground revolutionary groups. Often, a system would be started by one individual or group and then later, be perfected by another

The birth of Shaolin

During the early Northern Wei dynasty (386 - 534 AD) the Emperor Hsiao Wien had a temple built in the Song Shan mountains for the Indian Monk Bu Tuo. The Temple was built on grounds that had previously been clear cut. Possibly to make fields for military training. Later trees were re planted there. "Shaolin" means Young Forest, and was named after the young forest it stood in. It began operation in 495 A.D.

The monk Bu Tuo concentrated on the translation of Indian Buddhist text into Chinese. He is most remembered by his statue, a fat, jolly and seated monk. Often called the "Laughing Buddha". The temple originally consisted of a round dome housing an altar and a platform where Indian and Chinese monks translated Indian Buddhist scriptures into Chinese. The Monks worked both day and night to complete this task. Unfortunately not much else is known about Bu Tuo. Some say that some form of Martial practice was going on at this point but if so, not much if any survived to the present day.

Bodhidharma

(Ta Mo)

Some time after 500 A.D. the monk Bodhidharma, an Indian Prince, (Ta Mo or Da Mo in Chinese A.D.448-527) came to China. He was a 28th Patriarch of Buddhism and the third son of a Brahman King. He came to China to teach Buddhism from a monastery in southern India. He was apparently upwards in age at the time. Ta Mo traveled north across the mountains most likely on foot, A journey of several hundred miles. After his long and exhausting trek he came to the palace of the Emperor Liang Wu Ti of the Liang southern dynasty. Some texts indicate that he was summoned by this Emperor, and some say he just arrived there wile on his journey. The Monk's teachings proved to be beyond the capacity of the Emperor, who had him cast out of the Palace.

From there Ta Mo traveled north crossing the Yangtze River. He eventually ended up at the Shaolin Temple in the Song Shan mountains (in what is now Honan Province). After a short stay, he was also cast out of Shaolin by the temples Abbot. The Abbot feared that Ta Mo's teachings were to radical and would be disrupting to his followers. You see Ta Mo did not believe in the ritualistic ceremonial practices of the current Chinese Buddhism. He felt that the works and scripture translating were artificial and done in vain if they were made solely for the purpose of gaining entry into "heaven" and not truly heartfelt. He believed in a more practical and realistic method, consisting of meditation and purity of action & principal over superficial ritual. Rejected, Ta Mo took up residence in a cave just up the mountainside from Shaolin. He stayed there for 9 years.

Legend has it that he sat in intense Meditation for this whole time. Supposedly the power of his "Chi" burned an image of him in to the rock. In reality there IS an image etched or burned or whatever into the rock face where he sat, but there is no scientific explanation as to how it got there. Legend also says that during his brief time at Shaolin he noticed that the Monks were very weak from living a very sedentary life inside the monastery. Their health conditions were very similar to the many health problems faced today by the "Creature Comfort" sedimentary life lived by "Modern Man". He supposedly meditated for the 9 years at his cave to figure out how to solve this grave problem. In reality, he probably went about his life as well as any cave dwelling, up in age soul might. Being a Monk with lots of free time he probably practiced the Yoga of his homeland and meditated long and often. During his stay he must have had semi regular contact with the Monks of Shaolin. After all Ta Mo's cave is so close to the temple that today's Monks jog to it every morning at sunrise for meditation and Chi Kung practice before starting their day. Over the years they must have come to slowly know and accept him. After his 9 years in the cave he was invited to live at the temple with the other monks. This is when he taught them three main exercises to develop their health, strength and stamina. They were the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing), Xi Sui Jing (Marrow Purification) and the Shi Ba Fa Louhan Shou (18 Enlightened one's Hands). All of these exercises are still taught to this day by all good Shaolin Kung Fu schools somewhere in their curriculum. Of these three the 18 Louhan Hands had some basic martial application.

Tang Dynasty

Between 625 and 698 A.D. during The Tang dynasty, the Emperor T'ai Tsung was at war with General Wang-Shih-Chung. Li Shimini, the Emperors son was leading the army against Wang. Wang's army managed to capture the Emperor's son. He caused great damage to the Tang army. The Shaolin Monks were called upon by the Emperor to rescue his son. History records that thirteen Monks were sent on that mission. Even against impossible odds and large numbers of enemy troops, they were successful, and because of their heroics they were given much land in which to expand. They were also commissioned at this time to train Elite Military troops for the Emperor. From this period, Shaolin Monks were allowed to eat meat and sometimes drink alcohol. Later after succeeding his father, Li Shimin promoted Tan Zong (a chief of the Shaolin militia) to the rank of General gave more land to the Monks and 1000 pieces of silk. The temple was given the title of "First Monastery Under the Sky". Regular interchange and training between high-ranking soldiers and Master Shaolin monks saw further development of Shaolin Kung Fu during this time period. Unfortunately later Tang Emperors eventually became paranoid of such a powerful and independent military force existing within their borders and had the Temple destroyed.

Shaolin Expands to Fukien

Built around the same time as the Henan Temple, the Fukien Temple was integrated into mainstream

Shaolin around 650 A.D. It was a much larger temple than the one in Henan and served as the main temple in times when Henan was destroyed or occupied. Many famous styles later emerged from this temple, or the Monks that came from it.



Around 800 A.D. the third temple was integrated into the Shaolin order. It was called The Wutang

Temple. It was located in the politically unstable area near Manchuria and the Korean Peninsular. It was often pillaged or attacked by bandits, robbers or local war lords. The monks there were very versed with the practical aspect of war, weaponry & defense and proved a tough match for any one foolish enough to engage them.

72 & 170 Movements Sometime between the Yuan dynasty (1260-1368 A.D.) and the beginning of the Ming dynasty there lived a young nobleman. This nobleman entered the Shaolin to become a monk. Although his original name is not known to me, the name he assumed apon entering the temple was Chueh Yuan. He spent much time studying the Louhan style. He expanded it by developing the 72-movement exercise. The 72 movements were very effective for both internal and external fitness and was soon adopted by all the monks of Shaolin. Later with a desire to continue improvements Chueh Yuan traveled to seek the tutelage of other masters. He came across an old man being attacked by bandits. The old man effortlessly defended himself against them. Thinking this old man knew a new kind of martial art he introduced himself. The old man denied knowing much about fighting and stated what he did know was taught to him by a master named Pai Yu-Feng. After seeking him out the two Masters went back to Shaolin and further developed and expand the Louhan style by the addition of a new 170-movement exercise. This expansion, was in reality a new style, called the Five Animal style. Much of today's Shaolin Kung Fu comes from this routine. On a side note some writings indicate that the preceding story actually occurred after the Tang dynasty just prior to the Song. This may not be accurate since the 170 movements were the original Five Animal style which was often said to have been developed some time after the Yuan or during the Ming dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty

In 1368 the White Lotus Society helped a former Buddhist Monk named Chu, Yuan-Chang found the Ming dynasty. It lasted until 1644 A.D. In the early 16th century, (the middle of the Ming) the abbot Jue Yuan went to Lanzhou and Luoyang, there he met the experts Li Shou and Bai Yunfeng. They came back to the Temple to develop and teach a new boxing method. The Chinese historians disagree about the real date of this fact, But there were major changes in Shaolin Kung Fu during this period.

The Ming dynasty saw a time when the most styles were invented at Shaolin. Much exchange occurred between the two main Shaolin temples. The Plum Flower fist style was most likely invented during this dynasty.

Because the arts at Shaolin had grown so large, the Monks specialized in their particular interests. The Shaolin Kung Fu was in danger of becoming splintered into smaller fragments. The monks, Instead of learning the whole system and specializing in their strengths, were now just learning the Five Animals and studying a whole different art. After a certain amount of time, only a few monks knew the same styles as their counterparts and there was a danger that certain styles could die out because there was no one left to pass it on. After a meeting, they decided to combine the core of all the different styles taught at Shaolin into one base system. This would ensure that all the principles of every style would forever be carried on. As before the monks would specialize in their favorite aspect of this new "Super style". Five main divisions were formed.


Louhan
White Crane
Sung Tai Tzu's Wu Gong
Da Mo's Chi Kung
Tah Sheng (agility training) These were combined into one, creating the original Northern Five Ancestors Style (not to be confused with the Southern Five Ancestors of the later Ching dynasty period).

Around 1500 A.D. the Shaolin Integrated an ancient Taoist temple into their order. It was called Omei Shan or Great White Mountain. Omei was located in an in accessible area of Szechuan province. Unlike the Honan and Fuiken temples, this one was not a major "Martial Art" temple. Instead, it specialized in the Medical sciences. It's libraries were filled with Medical, Herbal and Acupuncture/Acupressure texts from all over China. I'm sure some Kung Fu was practiced there but it was not the mainstream. It supposedly had close contact with the Tibetan Crane temple. Unfortunately it was eventually closed. At one point in time the ruins of this temple were used as target practice for some artillery units of China's military. Eventually it was restored and today it is the headquarters of a large Panda reserve.

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End of the Ming & founding the Ching Dynasty

In the late 1600's China was conquered by the Manchurians and the Ching dynasty was formed. The Ching dynasty was a very turbulent time, especially for the Shaolin Temple. In fact, Shaolin's Southern temple was a hot bed of rebel activity. Many secret societies were formed with the express goal of defeating the Ching and then restoring the Ming dynasty to it's former glory. Many of today's modern styles were perfected during this time, like the Hung, and Fut styles. Supposedly during this time the Southern Shaolin temple was destroyed due to this rebel activity.

[Cang Long]

Just got though reading some more of this again.

Thanks for the Read hungman.

[JasonHFY]

Nice text.It's alays good to learn a bit more bout history.

[Op108wc]

WTF Tae Kwon Do vs Shaolin Kung Fu

http://youtube.com/watch?v=W_nCWlKm6Nc&search=wtf%20tae%20kwon%20do

[Cynikal Mantis]

very intresting article where is it from?