When first developing Kung Fu monks would explore the limit of their
physical body testing themselves against each other. Some found themselves
natural towards skill and speed, others towards power and courage
and some with no natural ability who really had to train much harder.
As part of daily ritual the monks were learning to open out their
hearts thus becoming more aware of their natural surroundings. They
studied the behaviour of nature, even sharing and blending themselves
with nature. Today we hear a lot of stories of how different styles
of Kung Fu were founded. One of the most popular being that, 'One
day a monk was sitting under a tree, and observed an animal of some
sort fighting an opponent. The monk studied the moves of the animal,
and from this a whole new style of Kung Fu was born'. Is this true?
Have you ever tried learning from an insect or animal?
Well in fact it is true! When cultivating one's mind, you can indeed
open your heart and mix with nature. You become much more aware and
sensitive to your surroundings. You look at everything from a different
perspective. So although the monk appeared as an ordinary fellow observing
from under a tree, in fact in his mind, he was able to understand
much more about the creature. He could actually mix his spirit with
the creature. From one clear thought he could open his wisdom to understand
everything about the creature's behaviour. This is a very high level
awareness of true buddhism cultivation. In today's world it is rarely
heard of. That is the reason why the monk 'Red Eyebrow' could learn
from the mantis and develop the style known as Bamboo Forest Temple
Southern Mantis.
Master Kim Law - The Fighting Machine
After Red Eyebrow passed away, his knowledge and skills were passed
on to his student Buddha Lee, from Buddha Lee the teaching was
passed
down to Cheung Yiu Chung.
Cheung Yui Chung developed himself to remarkable standards, and was
known through China as the first of the great Canton Tigers (10 best
fighters in Canton). On passing away. Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis
was taken over by his top student Wong Yu Gong. Wong Yu Gong himself
specialised in the training of Iron Ribs. It was said that, during
demonstrations he would let someone strike him vigourously in the
ribs with an iron bar until the bar bent. Quite a task with a 1 inch
thick bar. On passing away, the secrets were taken over by his main
student, whose name was Yang Yin.
In the early 60's, Yang Yin emigrated to England. His skills in Chinese
cuisine gave him a chance to open a restaurant. In his spare time
he would teach Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis Kung Fu. Around the age
of 45 Yang Yin decided to open an alternative medicine practice in
London's Chinatown. Bamboo Forest Mantis involves the knowledge of
many medicines. During his life in England, Yang Yin picked up many
recommendations and became Sifu to many people across the country
whether in teaching Kung Fu, medicine or the spiritual 'Sun Dar'.
His death brought great sadness to many people and his wisdom was
sorely missed. To his son, Fung Kit Yang, he left the medicine practice
and spiritual Sun Dar. The Bamboo Forest Temple was left to his first
and most respected student, Kim Law. At this time, Kim Law was helping
his Sifu teach and now all the generations of responsibility were
left to him.
When Yang Yin was alive, he had great concern about teaching Kim Law
because of his passion of fighting and challenging other styles and
masters. Sometimes Yang Yin would stop teaching him until he realised
what he was doing was wrong and changed for the better. Although head
of Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis Kim Law has now chosen not to teach.
Many masters respect him still because of his years of fighting experience
and his physical ability. Master Law still cares about the promotion
of Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis and holds meetings with classmates
regularly.
In Master Law's short time teaching he did pass on the secrets of
Yang Yin to one student, Simon Wong. Since this, Simon Wong has founded
his own style, Yellow Dragon Fist, and teaches the Bamboo Forest training
to his students after they reach a certain level.
"The hidden essence of Bamboo Forest
Temple Mantis"
