Shaolin Master
11-01-2000, 05:00 AM
POST ONE : Historical Discussion p 1
Chu Gar (Zhou(Chow) Gar, JookLum Sth Mantis) was commenced by the royal family members that hid in the temple from the ching soldiers. They were in fact in the division that Bak Mei headed and also they were treated special as they were imperial family members of the Ming Dynasty which were most respected by Han chinese(the Abbott instigated the move to protect the Ming Royals). Therefore the art that these people practised were in part from a lot of their own experiences with the addition of some Principles that Bak mei Taught them. Through time like all else this evolved even further to a more distinct style. This is the Essence of the Hakka systems.
As the recorded stories continue Bai Mei was incorrectly accused by many as being a traitor. In fact this is not the actual truth rather one of the imperial family members (One of his inherited students) and sought to attempt obtaining a position of respect and authority. He thus attempted to deal with the ching’s with the promise of wealth and imperial life again, to this end he then provided Ching soldiers with information with regard to internal activities of the temple. The Ching then launched their famous attack and destruction of Fujian Shaolin (Noting that Songshan Shaolin had already been destroyed by the Ching soldiers). Of course through this destruction not too many survive, Chu Fook To and a junior brother are said to have led the Chu Gar Family system through the generations.
Bai Mei however did have his conflicts of ideals with Venerable Elder Chi San, and as a result when time came to part he decide to go his own way. Chi San sought refuge with his student Jyu Gu Cha (Hung Xi Guan) and Luk Ah Choy, also feeling a sense of bitterness towards the Ching who had twice destroyed his hopes of maintaining shaolin temple. The historical accounts of Chi San and the red boats are well documented and I shall not go in depth here.
Feng Dao De was very at peace with himself and sought only to develop his buddhist development and in fact he and Wu Mei are thought to be the more so called spiritually developed/mature of the 5 Elders. It is also said that with the spirit gaining the level of martial arts also gain [thus the statements like Feng Dao De was Elder or better..etc]. Wu Mei being a nun always resided at a nearby temple not at the main shaolin, she and Chi San always had meaningful discussions, her being an external advisor per sea to Chi San. Wu Mei When the Shaolin Temple was destroyed she was not at the scene and she felt that it was best to remain at her more religiously inclined [not martial/rebelliously associated] temple. And so the story continues……..
Bai Mei decided to go West (Way west..) to the Ermei Mts. Where there were many temples and reciding monks in retreat and at peace with themselve. Due to the difficulties in reaching the Ermei Mts. The ching as many other militants did not concern themselves too much with the area and monks were left to practice their cherished religions. Ermei itself is well known in China in the Martial arts and is third in fame after Shaolin and Wudang. Not to mention the amount of religious studies as indian, tibetan and chinese monks all interelated, as did different practises such as Lamaism, Buddhism, Taoism and the like. Feng Dao De decided to accompany Brother Bai Mei.
In Ermei Mt. The influence of Taoism at the time when buddhism was involved in revolt, political upheveal and the rest left Taoism seem like the best path. Noting that both aim at enlightenment just with differing principles and and practises of course. To this result both Bai Mei and Feng Dao De….were convinced.
Bai Mei incorporated many taoist principles and was influenced by Ermei Arts as well. Bai Mei however was much more extrovert and kept many disciples. Feng Dao De being a much more humbled monk duelved on the internal and travelled to many places including Wudang Mt where the influence of the 13 postures and Qi gong were incorporated into his repetoire, not to mention other sites along the paths. The exchange between Bai Mei and Feng Dao De was commentary and discussion rather than systematic development. Though both shared similar foundations from Fujian Shaolin Temple. Foundations were usually in Duan Quan, Mei Hua Quan and Hu Quan.
Bai Mei had many associated lay monks and disciples at Ermei who developed their arts. Feng Dao De did not have as many but he did pass on his arts to fellow monks at Ermei. The Stories from here become branched into the Monasteric and to the Family/Lay disciples(non-monks). As with all arts they branched out into many directions. Whether or not (most probably were) these arts were mixed interelated even further after the elders passing are questions to be left in history……………to be Continued
Shi Chan Long
Chu Gar (Zhou(Chow) Gar, JookLum Sth Mantis) was commenced by the royal family members that hid in the temple from the ching soldiers. They were in fact in the division that Bak Mei headed and also they were treated special as they were imperial family members of the Ming Dynasty which were most respected by Han chinese(the Abbott instigated the move to protect the Ming Royals). Therefore the art that these people practised were in part from a lot of their own experiences with the addition of some Principles that Bak mei Taught them. Through time like all else this evolved even further to a more distinct style. This is the Essence of the Hakka systems.
As the recorded stories continue Bai Mei was incorrectly accused by many as being a traitor. In fact this is not the actual truth rather one of the imperial family members (One of his inherited students) and sought to attempt obtaining a position of respect and authority. He thus attempted to deal with the ching’s with the promise of wealth and imperial life again, to this end he then provided Ching soldiers with information with regard to internal activities of the temple. The Ching then launched their famous attack and destruction of Fujian Shaolin (Noting that Songshan Shaolin had already been destroyed by the Ching soldiers). Of course through this destruction not too many survive, Chu Fook To and a junior brother are said to have led the Chu Gar Family system through the generations.
Bai Mei however did have his conflicts of ideals with Venerable Elder Chi San, and as a result when time came to part he decide to go his own way. Chi San sought refuge with his student Jyu Gu Cha (Hung Xi Guan) and Luk Ah Choy, also feeling a sense of bitterness towards the Ching who had twice destroyed his hopes of maintaining shaolin temple. The historical accounts of Chi San and the red boats are well documented and I shall not go in depth here.
Feng Dao De was very at peace with himself and sought only to develop his buddhist development and in fact he and Wu Mei are thought to be the more so called spiritually developed/mature of the 5 Elders. It is also said that with the spirit gaining the level of martial arts also gain [thus the statements like Feng Dao De was Elder or better..etc]. Wu Mei being a nun always resided at a nearby temple not at the main shaolin, she and Chi San always had meaningful discussions, her being an external advisor per sea to Chi San. Wu Mei When the Shaolin Temple was destroyed she was not at the scene and she felt that it was best to remain at her more religiously inclined [not martial/rebelliously associated] temple. And so the story continues……..
Bai Mei decided to go West (Way west..) to the Ermei Mts. Where there were many temples and reciding monks in retreat and at peace with themselve. Due to the difficulties in reaching the Ermei Mts. The ching as many other militants did not concern themselves too much with the area and monks were left to practice their cherished religions. Ermei itself is well known in China in the Martial arts and is third in fame after Shaolin and Wudang. Not to mention the amount of religious studies as indian, tibetan and chinese monks all interelated, as did different practises such as Lamaism, Buddhism, Taoism and the like. Feng Dao De decided to accompany Brother Bai Mei.
In Ermei Mt. The influence of Taoism at the time when buddhism was involved in revolt, political upheveal and the rest left Taoism seem like the best path. Noting that both aim at enlightenment just with differing principles and and practises of course. To this result both Bai Mei and Feng Dao De….were convinced.
Bai Mei incorporated many taoist principles and was influenced by Ermei Arts as well. Bai Mei however was much more extrovert and kept many disciples. Feng Dao De being a much more humbled monk duelved on the internal and travelled to many places including Wudang Mt where the influence of the 13 postures and Qi gong were incorporated into his repetoire, not to mention other sites along the paths. The exchange between Bai Mei and Feng Dao De was commentary and discussion rather than systematic development. Though both shared similar foundations from Fujian Shaolin Temple. Foundations were usually in Duan Quan, Mei Hua Quan and Hu Quan.
Bai Mei had many associated lay monks and disciples at Ermei who developed their arts. Feng Dao De did not have as many but he did pass on his arts to fellow monks at Ermei. The Stories from here become branched into the Monasteric and to the Family/Lay disciples(non-monks). As with all arts they branched out into many directions. Whether or not (most probably were) these arts were mixed interelated even further after the elders passing are questions to be left in history……………to be Continued
Shi Chan Long