Shaolin-Do
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Shaolin-Do is a lineage of kung fu that traces its origins back to the Shaolin Temple.[citation needed] About 100 schools in the United States are in good standing with the current grandmaster, Sin Kwang Thé. Many of these schools are visited by Grandmaster Thé on an annual basis, when he conducts testing for senior black belts (2nd and above) and advanced training. If a school is too small or new to warrant a visit, the students will travel to a school that the Grandmaster will visit.
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[edit] Lineage of the Art
[edit] Grandmaster Su Kong T'ai Djin 1849 - 1928
One of the most famous Shaolin Master's is known as the "Dog Master." Born in the Fukien Province in 1849 he had genetic disorder called Hypertrichosis or Human Werewolf Syndrome.
Hypertrichosis causes the body to grow an excessive amount of hair. Believing he was a demon, his parents abandoned him in the woods, where he was rescued by Shaolin monks. Because he was rasied by the monks, each master thought of him as his own child and Su Kong T'ai Djin was able to train under all of the masters. According to the school's history Su Kong T'ai Djin realized that he would never be accepted into society, after seeing his reflection in a pool of water. Once he came to this realization he decided he would do something no man had ever done. He mastered everything the shaolin system had to offer, thus becoming the first grandmaster.
[edit] Grandmaster Ie Chang Ming 1880 - 1976
After the Shaolin temple was burned in the boxer rebellion, Su Kong T'ai Djin fled into the mountains with his best students, vowing to return during more favorable times. Ie Chang Ming was the senior student of Grandmaster Su. Su Kong T'ai Djin taught him everything he knew. Many years later, in an act of self-defense, Grandmaster Ie was forced to kill eleven Manchu soldiers. As a result, a bounty was placed on his head. He fled China and eventually settled in Bandung, Indonesia where set up a school, and continued the tradition of the Shaolin Monastery's kung fu.
[edit] Grandmaster Sin Kwang The 1943-
Sin Kwang The began studying under Grandmaster Ie Chang Ming when he was eight years old. He studied for up to eight hours a day, only taking time off to attend school and his chores. After five years of training, Sin Kwang The earned the rank of black belt. Realizing the need to have somebody to succeed him, Ie Chang Ming taught him with a vigor to determine if Sin Kwang The could become a Grandmaster. In 1968 he was awarded the title of Grandmaster at the age of 25. Grandmaster The had the intent to attend college in Berlin, Germany but because of the political situation of the time period, he was forced to choose another school. He considered UCLA but a professor from the University of Kentucky convinced him that he could get just as good an education for a fraction of the cost at UK.[citation needed]
When Ie Chang Ming died, Sin Kwang The discontinued his study. He had been working on a Masters degree in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Kentucky, but realized he was the only one left to continue the Shao-Lin lineage.
Grandmaster Sin specializes in the Golden Snake system. Sin also has a brother Hiang' who is 8th degree Master. However they had a falling out, which resulted in Hiang leaving the system.
[edit] Shaolin Do
Sin Kwang The established his school in Kentucky. There are now currently over 120 schools in over 29 states and four foreign countries in good standing with Grandmaster The. The art is also taught on many college campuses.
The style teaches numerous 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
Some have questioned the use of the "Gi" and belting methods to which Shaolindo practitioners offer the following responses:
One account says that when Ie Chang Ming was in Indonesia, the Indonesian government forbade 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.
Another thing to consider: The Shao-Lin temple in China, through ancient statues, murals, and frescoes on the walls, depicts Shao-Lin monks wearing V-neck tops, and belts of various colors Therefore, the "Japanese gi" that is used in Shao-Lin Do today is the same one that was used by the Shao-Lin monks in the abovementioned murals. Shaolindo practitioners therefore argue that Japanese martial artists adopted the Shao-Lin-do uniform.[citation needed]
[edit] Future of The Art
It is not public knowledge who would succeed Grandmaster Sin Kwang The as the head of the Shao-Lin Do art in the future. Grandmaster Sin Kwang The has promoted six students to the rank of Elder 8th Degree Master.
[edit] Elder Master Bill Leonard
Elder Master Bill Leonard is GrandMaster Sin Kwang The's oldest and most senior student. He has been studying the art since 1967. He was the first American to be promoted to 8th degree black belt. He currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky and runs Grandmaster The's main school. Elder Master Leonard was promoted in 2003. Elder Master Bill Leonard is the Senior Vice President of the Shao-Lin Do Association, an organization in the Eastern United States dedicated to preserving the Shao-Lin martial arts under Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'.
[edit] Elder Master Sharon Soard
Elder Master Sharon Soard started studying under Grandmaster Sin The in 1972. Elder Master Sharon Soard was promoted in 2004 and is the first woman to be promoted to 8th degree black belt. She currently resides in Colorado where she, and her husband, own an operate two full-time facilities under the guidance of Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'. In 1979, she and her husband co-founded the Chinese Shao-Lin Centers, an organization which now consists of 16 full-time facilities from New York to California. It is considered, for the most part, a Western United States organization dedciated to preserving the Shao-Lin martial arts under Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'.
[edit] Elder Master David Soard
Elder Master David Soard started studying under Grandmaster Sin The in 1972. Elder Master David Soard was promoted in 2004. He currently resides in Colorado where he , and his wife, own an operate two full-time facilities under the guidance of Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'. In 1979, he and his wife co-founded the Chinese Shao-Lin Centers, an organization which now consists of 16 full-time facilities from New York to California. It is considered, for the most part, a mostly Western United States organization dedicated to preserving the Shao-Lin martial arts under Grandmaster Sin Kwang The'.
[edit] Elder Master Garry Mullins
Elder Master Garry Mullins is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. He has been studying under Grandmaster Sin since 1973. Elder Master Mullins was promoted in 2004.
[edit] Elder Master Eric Smith
Elder Master Eric Smith currently resides in Troy, Michigan. He has been studying under Grandmaster Sin since 1968. He is also an accomplished lawyer and a graduate of Harvard University. Elder Master Smith was promoted in 2006.
[edit] Elder Master Frank Mingione
Elder Master Frank Mingione currently resides in Madison, Indiana. He has been studying under Grandmaster Sin since 1976. Elder Master Mingione was promoted in 2006.
[edit] Web Sites
[this source's reliability may need verification]
