Pak Mei Shaolin Kung Fu originated in Mount Ngor Mei, China in
the 1700's. Its concepts are based on the Tiger and Leopard Systems
- two of the five animal systems of fighting developed by the Shaolin
Monks. From its humble beginnings deep in the mountains of China,
the Pak Mei System has expanded to new territories in the past three
centuries. It can now be found all over the world - from Hong Kong
to Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, USA and of course
New Zealand. Pak Mei Kung Fu, as it is called in Cantonese, is translated
to White Eyebrow because it is named after the styles inventor,
a Monk with long silver eyebrows.
When the Manchurians conquered China in 1644, a Ming Dynasty General,
Tzu Gwo Tzo escaped to the Shaolin Temple for safety. Tzu Gwo Tzo
was an exceptional martial artist and during his stay at the temple
he taught 36 disciples. Each disciple was taught in accordance to
his own abilities which resulted in the development of their own
forms and techniques. Of all his students the five most prominent
were : Wu Mei Sze Tai (Wing Chun), Fong Dao De (Wutong), Miow Shen
(Grandfather of Fong Sai Yuk), Tze Shein (Hung Gar)and Pak Mei Dao
Ren.
Pak Mei took the Shaolin Martial art Tzo Gwo Tzo had taught him
and perfected it by adding some his own techniques and Taoist philosophies
and thus developed the original Pak Mei Kung Fu. One technique he
learnt was Gum Zhong Zhuo - where by any weapon was unable to penetrate
his skin. The second generation of the Pak Mei System was a Monk
named Gwang Wei, his student, and third generation of the style
was another Monk named Tzu Fah-Yuen.
Up to this point Pak Mei was considered a very rare Martial Art,
known through the years as the 'forbidden style'. Contrary to popular
belief, Pak Mei was considered a forbidden style because only a
few were thought worthy to receive its training and knowledge and
not because of the myth that Pak Mei was a traitor. The Pak Mei
Systems has been shrouded in secrecy since its birth. it has only
been shared with those who have demonstrated the character and spirit
that coincide with the values (honesty, compassion and truth, among
other virtues) that a Buddhist Monk upholds.
The person responsible for the spread of Pak Mei was Great Grand
Master Chang Lai-chuen - the fourth generation student of the Pak
Mei System. Chang Lai-chuen began his training at a very early age.
His first instructor was Lam Sek who taught him the patterns of
Cross and Sun-Moon saber, among other patterns. He was later taught
by Lee Yee-sze from whom he learnt patterns such as Three Gates
as well as other weapon patterns such as Can of Great Battle and
Tiger Fork. Great Grand Master Chang was introduced to the Dragon
System as a teenager and was later accepted as a disciple to Master
Lam Ah-hop.
Great Grand Master Chang became highly proficient in the techniques
of the Dragon System after several years of intensive training.
It was not until his late teens that Great Grand Master Chang was
introduced to the Pak Mei System by a young Monk named Lin Sang.
This young monk later introduced Master Chang to his Sifu, Monk
Fah-yuen. Monk Fah-yuen was very disturbed at the young Monks audacity
for showing someone from the secular world the style of Pak Mei
Kung Fu and even more for bringing the outsider to him. After Monk
Fah-yuen calmed down, Mater Chang pleaded with him to accept him
as a student. Monk Fah-yuen then asked to see Master Chang's proficiency
in the martial arts. Master Chang then demonstrated a Dragon Style
pattern. The Dragon Style consists of techniques that are soft in
form and it was because of this that Monk Fah-yuen felt that Master
Chang was still at a point were he could be retrained. Furthermore,
Monk Fah-yuen accepted him as a student of the Pak Mei System because
Master Changs abilities showed promise.
Great Grand Master Chang spent three years in the Dah-hung Monastery
in Mount Ngor Mei where he learnt meditation, the art of divination,
healing and last but certainly not least, Pak Mei Shaolin Kung Fu.
Grand Master Chang Lai-chuen had many students of his own. His
most prominent were Wu Nan Jing, his son Chang Bing Lam and our
Si Gung Chan Kwok Wah.
Chan Kwok Wah, a fifth generation practitioner of the Pak Mei System
had 36 students of his own, his top student is Lee Ngai Shing -
our Sifu.
About Pak Mei
The notion that Monk Pak Mei is a traitor is a misconception. This
rumour was started by people who disagreed with Monk Pak Mei's views
on the controversies taking place at the time and because a fellow
monk was killed by Pak Mei as a result of these controversies.
Monk Pak Mei, as one of the elders of the Shaolin Temple, decided
to remain neutral from the revolt against the Manchurians. Monk
Pak Mei's decision to stay away from this conflict was influenced
and consistent with the intrinsic values of Buddhism, 'separation
from secular affairs'. His belief was unfortunately not shared by
everyone, including one of his disciples. This disciple was hired
by the Manchurians to hunt down and either kill of bring in the
'rebels'. After successfully capturing and killing many 'rebels'
a plan was devised to capture the traitor. Monk Pak Mei's disciple
was captured and upon hearing the news, Monk Pak Mei sent the captures
a message asking for custody of his disciple. Pak Mei asked the
captors not to harm his disciple and upon receiving him into custody,
Monk Pak Mei would ensure that his disciples' involvement with the
Manchurians would end. They agreed on a location and meet. However,
when the captors arrived they could only produce the lifeless body
of the disciple. Monk Pak Mei was overcome with anger and began
to fight the captors. Among the captors was Monk Che-sien, another
elder of the Shaolin Temple and instructor of the Hung Tse-kwan
system (founder of the Hung Gar System). Even though Monk Che-sien
played a role in the exchange arrangements with Monk Pak Mei, he
was not involved in nor responsible for the death of the disciple;
another monk in Che-sien's group was to blame.
Monk Che-sien was well known for his 'Iron Head' and during the
battle he charged at Monk Pak Mei. Unfortunately for Monk Chi-sien,
Monk Pak Mei was renowned for his 'Cotton Belly' and upon impact
Chi-sien was sent flying through the air. Upon landing. Monk Chi-sien
died of a broken kneck. After this battle, Monk Pak Mei refrained
from all internal conflicts. This historic event, according to many,
especially Hung Gar practitioners, defines Pak Mei as a traitor.
Despite this popular belief about Monk Pak Mei, Hung Gar practitioners
salute quite similar to ours. Our salute consists of a closed fist
and a vertical open palm. The open palm sits atop the closed fist
where the thumb and index finger come together. Unlike our salute,
which proclaims neutrality in the internal conflicts, the salute
of other systems where the knuckles of the fist meet the open palm
and therefore exposing the back of the hand, reflect their ties
with the rebellion. In Chinese tradition the back of the hand represents
disrespect and therefore, by incorporating this action into the
salute indicates to everyone their alliance.
