He does go by Chen Qingzhen quite often
However, he's more famous internationally as Shi Decheng. I'd venture to say that many of his foreign students don't even know his birth name. Former Shaolin monk is a bit of a mouthful, so I seldom see that used. The Shaolin name game is quite a shuffle - I engaged that in my cover story for the 2011 Shaolin Special with Decheng's comrade Xingyu - see The Movie Monk.
There is definitely a move towards Yans
I think anyone who bears a Su, De, Xing or Yong name, should bear it proudly, although I completely understand about Xingyu's name change. I do address this topic in our current cover story, Escaping Buddha's Grasp (Sep Oct 2011). The subject is Shi Yongyao.
As for the 'real' monk issue, you know how complicated it is, LFJ. Shaolin Master is slowly emerging as the new term under the Abbot, but change is slow and that's not quite distinct enough. My first sifu, Wing Lam, is a Shaolin master, but he never trained at Shaolin. Ex-monk or Former Shaolin Monk gives the wrong connotation. Wuseng is the most accurate, but far too much Chinese.
Eh, no worries about the merge - it doesn't separate neatly
I recently had a conversation with a Xing who has returned to visit Shaolin, but won't go for an audience with the Abbot because he knows the Abbot will request him to re-disciple as a Yan. That Xing had too much respect for his De master to do that. When Yongxin first became abbot, a lot of Yans pulled me aside to tell me that Decheng was a fake monk and I should re-disciple. But I was at Shaolin before Yongxin became abbot, and remember how hard the Su, De and Xing generation worked to defend and preserve the legacy. I know how hard it was for Decheng and his kung fu brothers in the early years. Some of that I've discussed in my book. While they might not be as pious as some of the current Yan generation, they put out so much more in the late 80s because Shaolin wasn't as well established. That generation of monks was seriously hardcore. I took my disciple vows under Decheng at the peak of that period. I will still honor them, regardless of his return to civilian life. His understanding of Chan is still quite profound.
Shi Decheng seminars in Massachusetts
Shi Decheng will be hosted again by Sifu Scott Jeffrey at Jade Forest Kung Fu, 73 Reservoir Park Dr., Rockland, Massachusetts - For more information 781-871-9062 • sifu@jadeforestrockland.com. Here is the schedule from his flyer:
Quote:
Monday, September 26
Chen Tai Chi
6:30 – 9:00 pm • Price: $85
Tuesday, September 27
Shaolin Chin Na
6:30 – 9:00 pm • Price: $85
Saturday, October 1
Jie Ben Gong - Part 1
9:30 am – 12 pm
Two day seminar learning Shaolin 18 basic skills
Price: $150 (for both days)
50% off of Jie Ben Gong if you sign-up for another
weekend seminar.
Shaolin Straight
Sword - Part 3
2 – 5 pm
This seminar is only open to students who have
taken parts 1 & 2.
Price: $130
Sunday, October 2
Jie Ben Gong - Part 2
9:30 am – 12 pm
Second part of two day seminar learning
Shaolin 18 basic skills
Traditional Xiao
Hong Chuan - Part 2
2 – 5 pm
This seminar is only open to students who took the simplified
version in September 2009. Students are strongly
encouraged to participate in Jei Ben Gong - Part 2, as it
will enhance their understanding of the afternoon training.
Price: $130
Monday, October 3
Shaolin Qi Gong
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Yi Jing Jin has been used for centuries as a traditional
way to build strength in all the bodies connective tissues.
Price: $85
Tuesday, October 4
Explosive Power
6:30 – 9:00 pm
To properly nurture and demonstrate your Kung Fu skills,
you must find your root, your center, and channel power
to send it in the intended direction. This workshop will
plant the seed for the cultivation of power in your body
and in your practice.
Price: $85
Shaolin Forms by Shi De Cheng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uIN9...eature=related
It is from a DVD, where he demonstrates a lot of Jiben Gong and also some applications. You see Da Hong Quan, Lian Huan Quan, Tong Bi Quan and Yi Ying Jing.
And later own even some stick work but from that I have only seen the preview till now.
Kind regards,
Cyrill
Where did you hear that, LFJ?
My last three instructors were all from Shi Yongxin's inner circle of monks: Yan Fei (formerly Shi Yanfei), Shi Yantuo and Shi Yanchen. Each of them had their own unique versions of the forms. While the Abbot has endorsed particular versions in videos and books, I'm not finding that this is enforced by any means. In fact, I'm not sure that all of the videos and books even match. The abbot has allowed the compulsories too, but I don't see that many monks doing it. Those still seem more of a Dengfeng thing. That being said, I'm not sure that the Abbot is all that into standardization, but you know, I'm putting together some interview questions for him right now, and I'll ask about this.
Shi Decheng has been in two European video series to my knowledge. The first was a 3-part series by Fechter Verlag, Wien, the Austrian company that produced the International 1500th anniversary tour which started in 1995, along with several other tours. That one is in English and was done in 1998. The second one was a 2-part series by Kung Fu Developpement, a French series by Mathieu Vilcot, done in 2000. I think that excerpt above is from the former.