Shaolin-Do
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Shaolin-Do is a group of schools teaching a style of Chinese martial arts that traces its lineage directly back to the Shaolin Temple, and is hailed as the "most comprehensive martial arts system in the world".[1] Founded by Su Kong Tai Jin, there are now currently over 100 schools under Grandmaster Sin The' schools in over 29 states and four nations other than the U.S.
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[edit] Lineage
Shaolin-Do's founder is Su Kong Tai Jin a monk who was trained by all the monks of fuiken temple before it was burned, Sin Kwang The, was a student of Ie Chang Ming who was Su Kong's student. In 1968 Sin Kwang The' was awarded the title of "grandmaster" at the age of 25,the youngest Grandmaster in shaolin history .
Sin also has a brother Hiang' who is a Master. However they had a falling out, which resulted in Hiang leaving the system. Hiang Kwang The' now heads the Chung Yen (Central) style of shaolin.
[edit] Shaolin Do
Sin Kwang The established his first school in Kentucky. The style teaches 900+ styles of Kung Fu. A student is required to know over 20 different forms before testing to black belt. The forms will include Tiger, Crane, Southern/Northern Fist, Bird, numerous weapons, and internal chi kung.
[edit] The Use of the Gi
Unusually for a Chinese martial art, Shaolin-Do schools utilize a Japanese style of belt rankings and uniform, or gi. Practitioners of the art explain that when Ie Chang Ming was in Indonesia, the Indonesian government forbid the teaching of Chinese, but not Japanese, Martial Arts. In order to protect the art, Ie Chang Ming adopted the dress and terminology of Japanese martial arts. This included the uniform, the belt system, and the addition of "do" to the end of the name. Also the gi is more in the style of the training robes the shaolin monks wore.
[edit] Future of the art
It is not public knowledge who would succeed Sin Kwang The as the head of the Shao-Lin Do art in the future. Sin Kwang The has promoted six students to the rank of Elder 8th Degree Master. With Edler Master William Leonard being the first to get that honor.
[edit] Further reading
Halladay, James and Sin Kwang Thé. Shaolin-Do: Secrets from the Temple. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. ISBN 0787212423.
[edit] References
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