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Art Forms Taught at ACCS
The five major art forms
studied at American Center for Chinese Studies are:
 Shao-lin Kung Fu
Tai Chi Ch'uan
Meditation (Buddhist & Taoist Philosophies)
Shuai-Chiao
Hsing-I and Pa-Kua
Shaol-lin Kung Fu
Shao-lin Kung Fu refers primarily to those martial arts that originated in the
ancient Shao-lin Temple in China. The monks at the temple were concerned first and
foremost with cultivating their minds and attaining enlightenment. The combat skills were
integrated into their spiritual quest, but the spiritual quest remained the focus.
Because of their intense mental and spiritual training, as well as combat training,
these Shao-lin priests became nearly invincible fighters.
The martial art forms and methods of the Shao-lin Temple have survived the
centuries and have been passed down from teacher to teacher. Shao-lin systems can be
divided into Northern and Southern styles. Both are still studied
today. The fighting is characterized by animal fighting forms, bold kicking and hand
techniques, and a variety of sweeping and throwing movements. The style is very physical,
building a strong, flexible body that can withstand a great deal in combat and remain
healthy in daily life. Because of its emphasis on physical strength and skill, Shao-lin is
refered to as an external fighting art.
Affiliation with the Society of Shao-lin Temple
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Tai Chi Ch'uan
Tai Chi is the graceful, health-giving art form practiced daily by millions of
Chinese, young and old alike. The form has a slow-motion, dance-like quality that
hides its true combat origins. Through the gradual building of one's inner
energy, known as chi, one discovers how soft truly does overcome hard and how in
combat, an ounce of energy can defeat a thousand pounds of force. Tai Chi is
known as an internal art because of its emphasis on internal chi power, rather
than on external physical power. Tai Chi is referred to as "the grand ultimate"
fighting form.
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Meditation (Buddhist & Taoist Philosophies)
Meditation is perhaps the most powerful method used throughout the world to train
the mind and cultivate the spirit. While a trained mind is essential for a
martial artist, meditation can benefit all people from all walks of life.
The meditation taught at ACCS is based on the traditions of Buddhism and Taoism.
Emphasis goes beyond the physical and mental benefits of meditating and into the
higher spiritual awakening that can be achieved.
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"Ch'ang Tung Sheng (right) in a classic Shuai-Chiao form, Shor Twzo,
with student Ma For Ren
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Shuai-Chiao
Shuai-Chiao is the ancient Chinese art of throwing and wrestling. One of the
oldest fighting forms known, it builds a strong body and shows how to
integrate one's internal and external powers in the midst of combat.
Many believe Shuai-Chiao is the root system from which the Japanese art of Judo was developed.
Because of its demanding training and physical toll on the body, it is said that
a year of training in shuai-chiao is akin to years of training in other martial
arts.
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Hsing-I and Pa-Kua
Whereas Tai Chi teaches one how to ward off and redirect an opponent's force,
Pa-Kua shows how to circle around an opponent's energy, and Hsing-I teaches one
how to use one's internal power to directly attack an opponent. The Hsing-I and
Pa-Kua are complementary arts, and coupled with Tai Chi Ch'uan, they comprise the
major internal fighting arts of China.
The Origins of Hsing-I
Hsing-I Ch'uan means 'Mind Form Boxing'. The form is based on the
5 elements: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. In this art form one goes
directly into the opponent to attack, and comes out from the attack on guard.
Even though Hsing-I looks like an external art, it is an internal art. Many call
it 'The Bridge Art' because it is on the line between an external and internal
style.
As in Pa Kua history, there are many theories about the history of
Hsing-I. Some say that Hsing-I dates back to the Shao-Lin Temple, around 550 AD.
Others argue that it originated in the Wu Tang Mountain Temple, where Chang San
Feng founded Tai Chi. Marshal Yuen Fei is credited with founding Hsing-I Ch'uan
there. Another theory says that he was traveling and was taught Hsing-I by
wandering Taoist monks in the Shan Sein Mountains and passed it down from them.
In any case, Yuen Fei proved himself to be a great soldier with Hsing-I. He
trained his army in two new styles of wushu. He taught them his internal style of
Hsing-I and then taught them his own external style of Eagle Claw. He and his
troops won many battles. He was ultimately poisoned at the age of 38, by an agent
of one of his defeated adversaries.
A few martial artists have used Yuen Fei's secret book on Hsing-I, Jong Nan Mountain.
It was passed down and then studied by many.
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The Origins of Pa Kua
Pa Kua Ch'uan means 'Eight Tri-gram Boxing.' Pa Kua Ch'uan is an
art form that moves in circles. It enables one to stay on the outside and behind
an opponent. Pa Kua is based on the I-Ching, or the Book of Changes. It dates
back many hundreds of years. It's original name was Zuang Zang (Turning Palm). It
was not till, the early 1900's that it was called Pa Kua Ch'uan.
There are many
theories of the origins of Pa Kua. The most popular one attributes its origins to
Dong Hai Chuan. It is said that he was invited to the emperor of China's Feast.
The emperor noticed that it was crowded in the hall, but one man was adept at
getting around others. Dong countered, dodged, parried, and basically circled
around everyone. When the emperor saw him, he made him the martial arts
instructor of the palace. It is said that his skill was fantastic. He was also a
master in the 18 Lo Han Patterns, and the Tai Chi, also called Wu Tang. Some
people say, as a youngster, he learned the Pa Kua from a Taoist monk. Others say
that he learned Pa Pan Ch'uan (Eight Circular Palm) and combined it with the Lo
Han and from these created the Pa Kua Ch'uan.
Another theory is that the founder
is unknown, but he taught two students named Pi Yueh Hsia and Pi Teng Hsia. It is
said that they are the two that taught Dong Hai Chuan.
The next theory is about
an author and master, named Jen Chi Cheng, who wrote a book called "Yin and Yang
Pa Pan Ch'uan Maneuvers." There were two people who learned these methods, Dong
Hai Chuan and Lee Chen Ching. These two students learned it from Master Tung Ming
Len, which would make him the founder.
The last theory is about a young dedicated
student named Fung Ke Shan. He learned Kung Fu from a master named Wang Saing.
Another boxer named Nui Liang Ch'en came along and observed Fung's eight square
steps, much like the Pa Kua stepping. Fung's expertise was in the style of Li Kua
(Falcon and Fire) and Nui's expertise was in Kan Kua (Snake and Water). Both
exchanged arts and collaborated to create Pa Kua Ch'uan.
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The Hsing-I and Pa Kua Connection
By Matthew DeMaria
Despite their extremely different fighting strategies, Hsing-I and Pa Kua have
had a close relationship ever since the late 1800's. One reason Pa Kua students
and Hsing-I students learned each other's styles is that both were taught in the
province of HeBei. People say there are also other reasons for their connection.
An old story says that the originator of Pa Kua, Dong Hai Chuang and a famous
Hsing-I boxer, Guo Yun Shen, engaged in a fight in Beijing. Guo kept on attacking
while Dong kept on maneuvering and attacking. Because Hsing-I goes straight in
and Pa Kua spins and turns, the fight was long. It lasted three days. On the
third day Dong slipped a hand in and struck. After the fight, each thought so
highly of the other that they agreed to study one another's art form.
Many Pa Kua and Hsing-I practitioners say that it may not have happened quite this way. Some
say that Guo actually did go to Beijing to fight Dong, but his friend, Cheng, who
was well versed in Pa Kua, tried to dissuade him. Guo wouldn't listen. They began
to argue fiercely, and Guo attacked Cheng. Cheng used his Pa Kua and evaded the
straight attack. Knowing that Cheng was skilled in his art, Guo then backed away
from the fight with Dong -- He knew that Dong was even more skilled.
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