This text explains what Zen is and how you can experience it irrespective of your religious beliefs. It explains the history of Zen systematically, tracing its Indian origins through Chinese flowering to its spread to Japan and Vietnam. Drawing upon the fundamental teaching of Hui Neng's "Platform Sutra", considered by many to be the "bible" of Zen Buddhism, Wong Kiew Kit explains the philosophy and principles that lie behind Zen practice. In addition to explaining the history and theories of Zen, there are practical exercises to improve physical and mental well-being.
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit is the 4th generation successor from the Shaolin Monastery of China. He is a grandmaster of Shaolin Kungfu and Chi Kung. He received the "Qigong Master of the Year" award at the Second World Congress on Qigong held in San Francisco in November, 1997. He also holds an honors degree in humanities, and is one of the very few masters who speaks excellent English.
Grandmaster Wong, born in 1944, started his life-long training of the Shaolin arts in 1954 when he began learning Shaolin Kungfu from the famous Shaolin master, Grandmaster Lai Chin Wah, who was popularly known as Uncle Righteousness. Grandmaster Wong became his best disciple.
To further his kungfu training, Grandmaster Wong later learnt from Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, the third generation successor directly descended from the southern Shaolin Monastery when it was burned by the Manchurian army in China.
Sifu Wong also learned Wuzu Kungfu from Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong, and Wing Choon Kungfu from Grandmaster Choe Hoong Choy, who were patriarchs of their respective kungfu styles.
Grandmaster Wong has taught kungfu and chi kung for more than twenty five years, to more than twenty organizations. Regretting that many masters were withholding "secrets" of kungfu and chi kung with the result that these arts might lose their essence, in 1982 he founded the Shaolin Wahnam Institute of kungfu and chi kung, naming the school after the two teachers who had influenced him most, Grandmaster Lai Chin Wah and Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, with the aim of transmitting genuine Shaolin Kungfu, Shaolin Chi Kung and Shaolin philosophy.
Having won championships himself, Sifu Wong has trained champions in kungfu (demonstrations as well as all styles sparring) and lion dance competitions. But he has always insisted that while Shaolin Kungfu is an exceedingly effective martial art, its greatness lies in enriching our daily life and in spiritual development.
Since 1987 Grandmaster Wong has spent more time teaching chi kung than kungfu, because he believes that while kungfu serves as a fascinating hobby, chi kung serves an urgent public need, particularly in overcoming degenerative and chronic illness. Grandmaster Wong is one of the few masters who have generously introduced the once secretive Shaolin Chi Kung to the public, and has helped literally hundreds of people to be relieved of their so-called "incurable" diseases like hypertension, asthma, rheumatism, arthritis, diabetics, migraine, gastritis, gall stones, kidney failure, depression, anxiety and even cancer.
Now he has devoted more time on writing and teaching overseas, having successfully taught in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia. He stresses the Shaolin philosophy of sharing goodness with all humanity, and is now dedicated to spreading the wonders and benefits of the Shaolin arts to more people irrespective of race, culture and religion.
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