All wing
chun lineages came from the same ancestor. The art of wing chun was practiced
consistently up to the red boat time period. At that red boat time period, the
art of wing chun branched out through many different families, which resulted in
different interpretations of the art. As the many generations that had past
since that period, the history of the different wing chun lineages had changed
also.
As one
talk to and explore the different branches of modern-day wing chun, the history
may or may not be similar. Many people like to compare lineages and offer
suggestions on how their history should be due to the similarities of the
systems. Yes, as comparisons goes, all wing chun lineages have tan/bong/fook
sau, but there’s where the similarities ends and the differences begins. As one
can see/hear/touch, no two tan sao from the same lineage can be seen and
explained as the same. Why? Because, no two students in the same kwoon
studying under the same Sifu can interpret the art exactly the same.
Each wing
chun lineage identifies strongly with their own family’s history. Hung Fa Yi
wing chun lineage identifies with its strong ties with the Shaolin temple. It’s
Chan philosophy and Buddhism teaching, along with the art of Wing Chun, brings
its strong foundation and ties with the teachings and learnings of the monks in
the temple.
Two of
Hung Fa Yi wing chun lineage’s oral teachings based on the Buddhism ties are the
“Gao Ji Fut Fone” and the “Sup Ji Sim Fone”. These two teachings are introduced
to the beginner in the Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun lineage’s curriculum. They are
taught along side the wing chun foundation (SNT, footwork, etc.), which gives
the practitioner the proper explanations and growth in the lineage.
Gao Ji Fut
Fone is a breathing exercise that is used during training. The focus teaches
the practitioner the proper breathing channels, much like a hei gung training.
With the concentration on how to breath in and breath out, one can expel all the
bad energies that lies within one’s body. Understanding the Gao Ji Fut Fone
teachings will enhance the student’s growth and progression when the Sup Ji Sim
Fone is introduced.
Sup Ji Sim
Fone teaches the student to focus their mind on the using the proper energy at
the right moment. It gives the student the proper awareness of when to turn the
energy on and when to turn the energy off. Along with the Gao Ji Fut Fone’s
breath exercises, the practitioner will be introduce to the time/space/energy at
an very early stage of their training.
In
conclusion, the Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun lineage identifies strongly with its ties
to the Shaolin
Temple. The teachings, based heavily on Chan and Buddhism,
gives a strong identity to the relationship. We strongly identifies with our
history and continue to carry on and preserve the traditions of our ancestors.
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