Our Central Shaolin organization gets its name from the geographical location of one of the Shaolin Temples located in the central area, or "Chung Yen", of China where much of the material in our system is believed to originate. Several Shaolin Temples were built in China after the original Songshan temple was created, with material and training techniques passed between the various temples as monks and temple visitors traveled throughout the country, and eventually beyond China's borders to spread the arts worldwide.Other martial arts systems like Taekwondo, Jujitsu, and Karate can trace their roots to the art first introduced at the Shaolin Temples in China. The Birth of Shaolin Martial Arts Two related concepts separate Shaolin arts from most other styles. One is the use of "internal" abilities derrived from the meditative based training and the other is how its fighting techniques are largely based on the movements of animals. Related to the Taoist backgrounds of many of the monks at the time, observing nature and living in harmony with the world was an important concept to go hand-in-hand with the Zen Buddhist concepts introduced by Bodhidharma. The combination of internal exercises with philosophies based on the forces at work in the natural world are the basis for the development of Shaolin martial arts. In our Chung Yen style, we practice Nei Kung (internal work) training incorporated with the more physical Wei Kung (external work) to create a more complete martial artist. We practice a variety of animal based forms and systems such as the Bird, Tiger, Praying Mantis, Dragon, and Monkey. Ie Chang Ming and Chung Yen Shaolin Grandmaster Ie, also known as "Tie Chang Sang Rèn" or "Iron Palm Master" was highly skilled in the internal systems. With him was Master Liu Su Peng (Sen Pien Sow or "Spirit Whip Hand") who specialized in the Tai Peng or "Great Bird" fighting system. He also conducted advanced weapons training with the chain and fire whips. Other Masters at who taught at the Chung Yen school included Je Jou (shiao) Fu originally from Northern China who settled in mid-Java, and Qui Kwong, who is still alive today and living in Bandung. Ie Chang Ming passed away in 1968 at the age of 86. Liu Su Peng died in 1978. MORE HISTORY CONTINUED HERE |
||||||||||||||
Legend has it that after an Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma arrived at the SongShan Shaolin temple around 520 AD, he spent nine years meditating while facing a wall in a nearby cave. His dedication so impressed one of the monks, that the monk cut off one of his hands as symbolic gesture. |
||||||||||||||
Master Hiang and several of his students visited the rebuilt Songshan Shaolin Temple in 1994. Shown here are the steps to the main entrance to the temple. |
||||||||||||||
Su Kong Tai Jin, abandoned at birth because of a genitic defect that covered his face with hair, grew up within the walls of the Fukien Shaolin Temple in southeastern China. Su Kong eventually became the Grandmaster of the martial arts program there. |
||||||||||||||
Grandmaster Ie Chang Ming, also known as "Tie Chang Sang Rèn" or "Iron Palm Master" was highly skilled in the internal systems. He is shown here in his training hall in Bandung. |
||||||||||||||