Customer Reviews

Shaolin-Do: Secrets from the Temple

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(38)

 

 

There's a lot of energy about this book ... and seemingly, the Shaolin-Do system!

My opinion is that the book is a good book -- providing an overview of the system as well as a focus upon chi-gung and meditation practice. The primary author, James Halladay, has written articles for major publications (e.g., Inside Kung-Fu) as well. I find his writing style to be well organized and highly readable.

As far as the system goes, the system is comprehensive and legitimate. I have worked out with the author, and other advanced Shaolin practitioners, finding them to be well-versed and highly-skilled martial arts practioners. I make this statement from the vantage point of 25 years of martial arts, with Black Belt rankings in different martial systems -- Shaolin Do, Tae Kwon Do, American Kenpo, and Goshin Aiki-Jujitsu -- and informal training in numerous other systems (e.g., JKD). The Shaolin-Do practitioners, as a group, are not kick-boxers or full-contact fighters ... not do they claim to be. They do, though, claim to be learning a comprehensive Chinese martial system ... one that gets much deeper as one progresses through the various Black Belt levels (especially at 5th degree and above).

The long-term benefits of the system are impressive! As such, I have chosen to pursue Shaolin-Do training in the long-term ... there is more material than I will learn in my lifetime (regardless of whether there are 900 forms or some other number ... say 300 ... depending upon how the material is categorized). When compared to all but a few other systems, the system provides superior breadth and depth! Consider the fact that practitioners learn T'ai Chi and Pa Kua at 1st Black, along with numerous empty-hand and weapons forms ... and specialized conditioning. At 2nd Black, practioiners will learn Hsing I, along with numerous additional empty-hand and weapons forms ... and specialized conditioning. At 3rd Black, the Hua Mountain system is of major focus and major challenge (these sets are extremely long and physically challenging), along with additional empty-hand and weapons ... and specialized conditioning. At 4th degree, practitioners will face the pliability and coordination challenges of the Drunken system ... again, along with additional empty-hand and weapons forms ... and specialized conditioning. The list goes on ... the material is real ... and so are the people (including the Grandmaster).

As with any system or field of endeavor, some people or schools are better than others. Jim Halladay, for example, is a quality practitioner ... more skilled than some other Shaolin-Do folks I have seen (of course, though, he has trained under the Grandmaster and Elder Master, Bill Leonard). I don't believe that the Shaolin-Do system is "better than all others"; however, I do believe the system to be a unique and impressive tribute to the wonders of the Shaolin temples! Check it out -- you may find things you never knew you were looking for ...

Peace.

It is unfortunate that a number of the negative reviews that have been posted are not objective reviews of the book at all but instead are obviously personal attacks on Grandmaster Sin, motivated by some hidden agenda (e.g. by students of another art who feel threatened by Shaolin-Do, etc.). True martial artists try not to judge or attack other styles. If one wants to see if Grandmaster Sin is the real deal (which I think he is), they should go to a Shaolin-Do school and judge for themselves. Regarding the book, I have found it to be one of those treasures that reveals more each time that I pick it up. It contains so much information, especially regarding breathing and meditation, that I think it could be a little overwhelming for people that are not familiar with Chinese martial arts. The book as a whole is an impressive work revealing, as the title states, a wealth of secrets and details regarding authentic Shaolin training.

As far as the book goes, it does seem to be for students of the art. However, the section on meditation is very informative and is worth the price of the book. I give it four stars overall.

As far as the art goes, one reader said he had been promoted to brown belt in three months. I can attest that, at least in my school and the schools that I know of, all belt ranks from white to green MUST be separated by AT LEAST three months. When you are ready to test for the first level of brown (there are three) you MUST have spent AT LEAST 6 months learning the new material. There are three levels to brown belt and each test MUST be separated by AT LEAST 6 months before you are allowed to test. For first degree black there must be at least one year between tests, for 2nd degree black two years between tests, etc. For each belt test you are required to perform all the material from white belt to the belt level you are testing for. That includes long forms, short forms, all weapons, self defense, sparring techniques, and sparring opponent(s).

My only main gripe about this book it that it is to short. But, because I think Grandmaster Sin Kwang The is one of the most incrdible people on the planet (and yes, I have met him)I fell I must say a few things on his behalf. Almost everyone that gave this book one star said how unreal some of the facts are. The main point was that it seems imposible for The to have learned over 900 forms. First of all, the temples (there are seven) has been in existance for over 1700 years. Is it really imposible that together 7 temple have invented over 900 forms. I don't think so. Almost all other facts in this book can be supported by other reputable sources. Also, The is an incedible man. He knows 7 languages, is a Nuclear Engineer, and is the Grandmaster of an incredible art. Overall, this book has some great information,especialy on internal arts. A must by for students as well as people just getting into the art.

I just started training at a Shaolin-Do hall. I have several years in both Chinese Kenpo and Wing Chun, although I'm not an expert in either. This is a very strong system and has a great deal of depth. I have met the Master once and he is a very competent martial artist. Part of what makes martial arts interesting are the stories and the history. I don't think any of his claims or stories are unbelievable when they are viewed in the light of all other martial arts "origons". The training that is done at these schools will make a person stronger, quicker, and will build you into a good artist as well as a fighter. This system would also be of interest for people who want to see a variety of styles. You definately won't get bored.

As for the book.... It is a good read and has good information in it. I don't think it is really ment to be a stand alone training manual. It is very good supplemental material, especially in regards to the internal arts.

I have read this book so many times i memorized most of it. This is a overall good book. It gives you a scope on what is some of the most accrate martial art technique and history there is.

How I know this ? Not only do I know this book well. I know the man who wrote it personally. I am a life time student of Grand Master The' and Master Jim Mooney. I do not only study the martial arts wich is the Quan but also the Zen the philosophy. I was studying the Tao Te Ching 5 years before I met this man. I've been with this system now for eight years, longer than any other I have studied with. The main reason for this he has so much to teach and it live up the the never ending challenge that martial arts are. If any one knows what Zen is its is the sect of Buddhism that originated at Shaolin by Bohdidharma. I was only by grace that I met this individual who had this INFORMATION that was only three generations old. not tained by centuries. This I pondered my self but one day i saw a shorin ji ryu karate student praticing and he was doing an alternate translation of one the shao lin white crane forms. This not only substanciate karate's history but mine also. I my extensive study of martial arts wich has been my path since age 9 when I picked up my first katana that was a war relice of my grandfather. I have been studing the history and the techniques of almost any style that you can name. I have learned at least the basics of the systems if not in to the intemediate levels. My point is that with a clear and open mind you can see the truth. I opened my self to many styles and found the were all similar just diiferent ways of thinking. Just like people. I just happen to find two good friends that knew all of this information under one roof. These are Master jim Mooney and Grand Master The'.

I have been in real combat situations as a US Infantry soldier. The techniques that I had learned impreesed a Major and my DRILL SEARGENT WHO WERE BOTH ARMY RANGERS SPEC OPS. I was known for my training in boot camp and was asked to perform for my company commander and drill seargent on of our black tiger forms . My drill seargent was also a high level student of Mas Oyama. It was not only the techniques but the simplicity and my understanding of them as I was tested by these two to see if I knew what I was talking about. Needless to say Uncle Sam approved. Once again I owe this to Sin The'. It is only your self that seperates you from the truth.

If you would see this man & stand in his present you would know without seeing him lift a finger he was a master of masters. I you do get to see him perform, he will be what bohdidharma commanded of the shao lin monks : "to stand as firm as a montain, to move like water this is the way, every figer a dagger, every foot a sword, to be the hardest of the hard the softest of the soft " This is the most fittting description of the author of this book. It fits him to the core of his deepest self. The book is a summery of information, Shao lin is a way of life.

These are just some of my honest expierces I owe to all the masters who have traveld the path before me. I may as a student be predjudice to an extent, for i love my teachers they have given me so much. I can only speak on thier behalf. Read this book to get a brief description of shao lin. But truly, in reality is not about fighting tecgniques. This is only one aspect; That is a line that been written in history, not only in this book. It is like the line in the motion picture Mortal Kombat "It is not about death, but life" May you be blessed as you walk the path.

It seems that people have lost their objectivity on this book. The books is an insightful look into the Shaolin Do system and that is why we buy books like this, is it not? If your looking for a "how to beat people senseless in 3 weeks" style book, look else where. But if your curious about Shaolin Do, or are a student of Shaolin Do I highly recomend this book.

Grandmaster Sin Kwang The' has schools established throughout the United States. It only seems right that this book was published as not only a reference for his thousands of students, but also for those interested in studying the art. I obtained my black belt in 1989 and all tests were performed before the Grandmaster himself. As a continuation of studies in this system, I have had the opportunity to advance into areas of teaching that no other system has to offer. Grandmaster Sin Kwang The' regularly makes trips to China with his students and is greeted openly by the Head Abbott of the Shaolin Temples. There is not much to doubt about his stature, unless you doubt the very monks that greet him and his students. The book itself was probably too advanced for the novice martial artist. It tries to concentrate more on the internal aspects of the system. In Shaolin Do, the student trains from external to internal to develop chi, wholeness and piece of mind. To control what is taught and to make proper and concise decisions appropriate for the occasion. It is not a child's art either. The system deals with more aggressive tactics and offensive measures than defensive ones. The system, as compared to other arts by virtue of knowledge or the amount of material taught, is infinite. For those that doubt Grandmaster Sin Kwang The', his skill, knowledge or the system itself...the world is still flat. That is a fact. The people that seek the truth, find it. If you wish to learn more about the system, this book truly provides background, history and a taste of what awaits those that dare seek the truth. The Shaolin-Do website lists school locations, upcoming events, seminars, protocols, instructional information, class schedules and information about the many fine Masters themselves. Many of which have been studying under the Grandmaster since the 1960's and 1970's. James R. Halladay has written for Black Belt Magazine. Would they publish anything that they thought was false? My wish for those of you that are concerned about whether Shaolin Do, or this book is fact or fiction, is to take my and everyone else's reviews as a grain of salt. Go find a school, talk to the instructor and talk to the students. Watch all the classes from white to black belt or more...then decide. Chinese history varies as much as there are provinces. Most should note that during the time leading up to and including the Boxer Rebellion most of the artifacts, records and any other information was either well hidden and forgotten, or destroyed. Communist leaders of that era feared knowledge in the hands of the people...this is why Shaolin Do and its many arts or systems were always considered a threat to the government. Whatever your decision, this book will add to any collection. You Decide!

I am a bit concerned that these other reviews overlook the fact that this book contains some of the deepest mysteries available to a casual reader. Only the most devoted, long-term students are ever exposed to this level of information. Chapters 7, 8, & 9, for example are not introductory or even intermediate materials on breathing and chi. The early chapters of history and general introduction are important to any student of the martial arts, but the middle and later chapters are simply beyond anything available anywhere else. Many students spend their lives seeking what is simply demonstrated in Chapter 11 about the death touch for instance. Seeing 4 internal (or soft) styles in the same book is rare considering most have only heard of 2 or 3. This is the definitive book, if you could only own one, this is it!

These reviews of Grandmaster The's book read more like an internet message board with one person attacking the next. To say that any of Grandmaster The's writings are false or a fairy tale is ignorant. Top brain surgeons in America say the same thing about accupuncture, that its false or a fairy tale. I have seen accupuncture work for myself and many other people, and accupuncture works by redirecting chi to different meridians in your body. Well, with that theory in hand, why would it be so hard for me to believe that Grandmaster The knows over 900+ forms? Or that he has learned advanced Liu Fu Tao (way of the 6th sense) The man studied 12 hours a day 7 days a week for over a decade. I dont think anyone who has read this book can comprehend the depth of training it took for him to achieve the role that he has. Grandmaster The's top student knows around 300+ forms alone and its been widely said that he has only released 30% of the art in america. You do the math, that comes out to 900+ forms in various styles that he has yet to teach. This book is a small introduction to the world of shaolin and is actually way more information then typical people can sink in. Thats the only reason anything in this book may seem far fetched. This art is very demanding and I really dont think that all of the current masters in the US who have had to put in 10+ years for that rank could easily be so fooled. Read the book, if you think its bad and ever have the chance to meet grandmaster the, please tell him you think its bad. I can already tell you he will just say "ok then" and walk away, hes not out to let all of you know how accomplished he is, he wrote the book to give people a broad overview of the very intricate art of Shaolin and that is all it is. Hes not some "leader" making "claims". Hes simply a very accomplished Shao-lin Master looking to preserve the art.