Wing Chun Evolution
By Sifu John Lambert
INTRODUCTION
Wing Chun (also Weng Chun, Ving Tsun, and Eng Chun) is a unique entity as a Martial Arts System. Its origin is the Southern Shaolin Temple in the Weng Chun Dim. After the fall of the Southern Shaolin Temple, It was hidden by the Secret Societies and later to the Red Boats due to the persecution by the Ching government. As a complete Martial Arts System it is the culmination of the years of training by the monks and the military expertise of the Ming Generals. Many Wing Chun families developed their own special form of the art in order to keep it alive and continue the “praising” in hopes of the return of the Ming to power. During the early years, after the fall of the Southern Shaolin Temple, a Myth was devised to preserve the secrecy of Wing Chun. There are many codes hidden within the Wing Chun system that can only be decoded by a Master, who himself, has been properly trained. However, over the past 350 years there have been many variations to the original Wing Chun concepts and principles. Some have focused upon Wing Chun as a Style and others have maintained it as a Scientific Martial Arts System. It has been identified as a complete martial art system by many who have studied it and have done research into its origins, history, philosophies, health benefits, and combat capabilities. In our current training, based upon Master Meng’s research we follow “The Halls of Shaolin” progressions by learning Basic Exercises (Gei Bun Gong) and Basic Movements (Gei Bun Dong Juk), developing Practical and Effective combat skills, becoming Efficient in all Ranges of Combat, and using Economy of Motion to achieve Maximum Efficiency. We then seek the highest level of understanding in an Intelligent Energy State to gain Emptiness. In this writing I will address all of the above points of interest.
THE EVOLUTION
Wing Chun has evolved from the Southern Shaolin System to the modern day due to many events. Between the years of 1644 and 1911 China was controlled by the Ching Government, who were the Manchurians, although they represented only ten percent of the population they controlled the Hans, who were the majority, by force and repression. The Hans were not allowed to own any weapons or to train in Martial Arts. The Manchurians were afraid of the martial artist and begin to kill them and forced them to train in secret, many fled to southern China.
In Fukien, Da Jung is credited for establishing the Buddhist Hung Moon Association, in the Southern Shaolin Temple, that advocated the overthrow of the Ching. The Southern Shaolin Temple had become a special meeting place for the Chinese patriots. In the late 1660’s, under the rule of Emperor K’ang Hsi, the Southern Shaolin Temple was destroyed. It was under these circumstances that the martial artist who were in temple, were forced to separate and spread throughout China, some even went to other countries.
It has been told that two people assisted in maintaining Wing Chun. A Buddhist monk from the Northern Shaolin Temple named Chiu Yuen and Da Jung, a military officer from Northern China, have been noted for keeping anti-Manchurian activities alive. There were Five Secret Societies that were the outgrowth of these perilous times. Also during this time Cheng Sing Kung, one of the last surviving Ming generals, fled to Formosa and liberated it from the Dutch in 1662.
It is said that two monks, that survived the massacre of the Southern Shaolin Temple, Yat Chum Dai Si and his disciple Cheung Ng are credited for keeping Wing Chun alive. In 1710 Cheung Ng surfaced in Fatsun and started the Red Opera, this period continued through 1720. Following the Red Opera period the Red Boats became the hiding place for Wing Chun. The Red Boats were entertainment boats that sailed from town to town. Cheung Ng joined founded the Hung Fa Wui in memory of the Hung Fa Ting and trained many in secret. Other Wing Chun practitioners had private students and also taught them in secret.
During the years from 1911 through the 1920’s the Warlords controlled China. They were having a civil war with the people who wanted to implement the new government of the Republic of China. By the 1930’s China was so weakened by this strife that it was vulnerable to foreigners and was attacked and defeated by the Japanese. The Japanese controlled China until the end of World War II in 1945, and the Communist began their quest to take over China and succeeded in 1949.
The “Peoples Government” began to persecute the intellectuals and wealthy and then turned their persecution to the Martial Artist, fearing that they would create a counterrevolution. Masters were being slaughtered in the streets and were forced to go underground or flee to Hong Kong.
Many of the Wing Chun practitioners continued to teach only in the secret societies and maintained a high level of the art and passed it down through their family or society lineages. The level of training and understanding of the art varied and each practitioner continued their training as best as they could, under these circumstances, and some of their students begin teaching others. The evolution of the systems, due to the various interpretations and the approaches to the training methods by the Masters, created an environment for multiple results from their Southern Shaolin Temple origins; Chu Ga Tong Long (Southern Praying Mantis), Ng Jou Kuen (Five Ancestors Boxing), Fujian Bai He (White Crane), Bak Mei (White Eyebrow), and Lung Ying Kuen (Southern Dragon Boxing) are examples. Three of the Wing Chun arts that have purported to have maintained their original Systems are Chi Sim Weng Chun, Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kuen, and Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Pai. Many others have been the outgrowth of the originals and have taken on the identity of the master and therefore become a style.
It was this purging of the martial arts, in China, that created the flourishing of Wing Chun in Hong Kong. It was through Ip Man that Bruce Lee emerged as a Wing Chun practitioner and popularized the Art in the late 1960’s. Even though the Ip Man style was best known to the public there were other effective Wing Chun systems that were being maintained in secret. As of today the secretive Wing Chun systems, such as Hung Fa Yi, and Hek Ki Boen are emerging and being offered to the public.
The Ching had defeated the Ming and the Southern Shaolin Temple lay in ruins. All Ming supporters were being killed and persecuted. The purpose of the Wing Chun myth and the truth it protected was a necessity of the times. The Myth is a fable about a Nun named Ng Mui who supposedly developed the art of Wing Chun and taught it to a young woman named Yim Wing Chung (the name Yim means to be discrete or secretive) who was having domestic problems, after which the art was named and thus creating the myth. This was during the darkest days in the history of Wing Chun. The Wing Chun System was so effective that in order to protect its secrecy this cover story had to be created.
First of all, the Buddhist temples would not have had a nun in an environment with men in a celibate state of commitment. Second, the art of Wing Chun is so complicated that it could not be conceived by one person and from current information it can be deduced that Ng Mui had no connection to the inception and development of Wing Chun. Further, it is very unlikely that during these perilous times that people would put the whole of a revolution at risk to solve a domestic affair. The name “Yim (discrete) Wing (Everlasting) Chun (Spring)” itself is a code meaning “Be discrete and keep faithful until the rebirth (Everlasting Spring) of the Ming”.
In reality Wing Chun was developed in the Southern Shaolin Temple in the Wing Chun Dim. The Monks provided the Chan aspects of the art and the Military personnel, who had taken on the persona of monks, provided the martial aspects of the art. Wing Chun is a collaboration of many people working together to develop a martial arts system that could be used to defeat the Ching and any other system while utilizing Time, Space, and Energy in a 3 dimensional environment with maximum efficiency.
Wing Chun Systems have many secret codes hidden within them. Wing Chun Systems are scientific, and based purely upon concepts, principles, and formulas and uses these as codes to define their identity. The fundamental concept of Wing Chun is efficiency. The paradigm shift to the concept of the intersection of the three elements of Time, (being superior position) Space (being the effectiveness in a 3 dimensional battle field), and Energy (being the force and power to deploy an attack) in a 3 Dimensional environment is paramount to the success of the Wing Chun practitioner. In order to accomplish this, the codes become more relevant.
In Wing Chun systems, that adhere to the theory of 3 Dimensional combat, there are many codes. The use of Time, Space, and Energy maximizes efficiency and minimizes risk to the practitioner. The application of the Wing Chun formula provides the consistency that is necessary to maintain a system, and the alignment of the gates identify specific areas for the deployment of weapons. The formula of Sup Ming Dim, which identifies ten (10) points in space that define the 3 Dimensions of Height, Width, and Depth, whereas height is defined by three (3) reference points, width is defined by five (5) yin and yang lines, and depth is defined by two (2) lines denoting the inner and outer gates. Further, there are gates within which, the Sup Ming Dim has a 3 Dimensional envelop that provides areas for the deployment of weapons, as well as, the areas for simultaneous attacking and defending against incoming attacks. The Reference Points, Gates, and Lines are the basic codes of Wing Chun. However, if a practitioner is truly to develop their skill they must go deeper and learn how to develop the energy necessary to produce the true power of Wing Chun. The development of this energy, called Qi, is at a higher level of consciousness. It requires the practitioner to go from Fau Kiu to Saan Kiu to Wing Kiu to Emptiness. This could be, and some times is, a lifelong journey. It was the codes in Wing Chun that had to be protected for over 350 years.
The original Wing Chun, when compared to modified Wing Chun, reflects the loss of critical information during the dissemination of knowledge as the system was passed down through the generations. Modified Wing Chun does not have the core codes of the original Wing Chun. Without the knowledge of the five lines and 3 reference points you are void of Sup Ming Dim and the practitioner must completely rely upon the centerline approach to combat. Although centerline is a major component of combat it alone cannot create the 3 dimensional aspect required for a complete system.
Wing Chun systems have many variations due to the knowledge and understanding of the Master and the lineage that produced him. As referenced in the previous paragraphs, the Wing Chun system was discovered and developed in the Southern Shaolin Temple as a martial arts system to defeat all other systems or styles using maximum efficiency. After the fall of the Southern Shaolin Temple the Masters were forced to go into hiding to save their lives. This created a diverse environment of training. Those who had the codes and secrets of Wing Chun maintained them in secrecy. However, those who only had partial knowledge or limited training continued with their training and produced many variations of the original system, even some becoming styles.
Wing Chun is not a style of martial art. Whenever a Master or Instructor develops a martial art based upon their abilities and attributes it cannot be reproduced in their students. The uniqueness of the originator is forever embodied within himself. Therefore, at best, he has produced a martial arts style and it will die with him, as Jeet Kuen Do died with Bruce Lee.
The origin of Wing Chun is the Southern Shaolin Temple. It was there through many years of research, into the three treasures of Chan (philosophy), Yi (health), and Wu (Combat) the monks discovered the essence of Wing Chun. In order to validate Wing Chun as a System you have to hold it to the criteria of a system which is “A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole...under the influence of related forces”. When you examine Wing Chun you will find this to be true.
The major concept of Wing Chun is efficiency, which requires a scientific approach. When you relate the theory of Three Reference Points, to denote Height, Five lines, to identify Width, and Two lines to identify Depth, then apply this to the human anatomy you cannot deny the basis of this system. It is from this base that the interacting members of the human body work as a unified whole to deploy its weapons systems under the influence of Qi, which is the energy of the unified force. Further, the application of movements (techniques) which were developed to function within the parameters of “Gates” while utilizing the three dimensions of Height, Width, and Depth complies with the identity of a system. Therefore Wing Chun is definitely a System.
Wing Chun is a complete Martial Arts system. Now there are many Martial Arts Systems, but many have relinquished their completeness for commercialism. In order for a martial arts system to be a complete system it must adhere to a certain criteria and be effective in all ranges of combat. Also, if a system claims Shaolin roots it has to comply with “The Three Treasures of Shaolin”. Wing Chun is a complete Shaolin Martial Arts System.
Let us verify the previous statement. A complete martial arts system is reproducible in its training, consistent in its deployment, predictable in its outcome, and effective in all ranges of hand-to-hand combat. When we evaluate Wing Chun we begin with its origins and claims to the Southern Shaolin Temple. The first exposure is to the Three Treasures of Shaolin; Chan, Health, and Combat. It is the CHAN philosophy that is the cornerstone of Wing Chun. You MUST rid yourself of any illusions, live in the “Here and Now” dedicate yourself to a higher level of understanding, and seek a clear state of consciousness. The HEALTH requirements, for a Wing Chun practitioner, are held at a very high standard. In the Temple the practitioners were required to work daily and train hard to develop Body, Mind, and Spirit. Today the Shaolin Wing Chun practitioner must do the same or they cannot achieve the high level of competency required to uphold their lineage. In the realms of COMBAT there is a standard that you must be “Real, Spontaneous, and Complete”, in order to survive in combat. With this in mind I am assured that Wing Chun has its origins in Shaolin.
Having Shaolin roots is only the first step. Completeness brings the art into reality. Wing Chun is reproducible in its training because it is based in science. It has theories, formulas, gates, and lines which define its very existence. With a scientific system you can teach it from generation to generation and still maintain the system in tact. The consistency of the deployment of the system is because it is scientific in nature and the only inconsistency is when nature is violated. As with any system the expectations are for a predictable outcome. When a Wing Chun practitioner engages an opponent he uses his martial science of the gates, 3 dimensional references, and efficiency to deploy and simultaneously defend his space and expects, and in most instances enjoys a predictable outcome.
A complete scientific martial arts system must be effective in all ranges of hand-to-hand combat. There are four ranges in hand-to-hand combat; long kicking, long striking, trapping, and grappling. The Wing Chun practitioner can engage his opponent at all four of the hand-to-hand combat ranges. At the long kicking range, where he would encounter opposition from those trained in expert kicking techniques, he eliminates the opportunity for his adversary to gain an advantage by controlling the space using footwork and locking onto his opponents centerline, closing the distance and avoiding his opponents attacks and “Eats” the space and moves to the long striking range. At the long striking range, where he encounters an adversary who can box and strike, he uses his knowledge of time and space to intercept and redirect his opponents attack to gain superior position and again controls the space, and advances to the trapping range. In the trapping range he calls upon his Wing Chun skills to deploy his weapons and destroy his opponent. If his opponent causes him to go into the grappling range he first uses the methods to subdue his opponent without committing to “earth” fighting, if not successful he uses the applicable techniques to escape and subdue his opponent. In the Wing Chun training it is paramount to learn how to “deal” with an adversary in all ranges of combat. Within the four ranges of combat the techniques of Ti, Da, Suai, and Na are applicable. In any of the ranges you must be able to control the space and destroy your opponent.
THE HALLS OF SHAOLIN
In the tradition of the Shaolin Temple we train the Body, Mind, and Spirit. In our training we follow the progressions of The Shaolin Halls. From the beginning the new student is instructed in Gei Bun Gong (Basic Exercises) in our first hall, in order to build a fit and well conditioned athlete, all of the training is foundational causing the student to tear down his original body and rebuild it with strength, stamina, and flexibility. The basic exercises consist of training the breathing, muscles, and tendons to withstand the rigors of extreme stress. The intent is to build the students Body, forge his mind, and have him draw upon his spirit to become more than he has been during his past existence. He is stressed to shed his previous notions about martial arts styles and gain a fuller understanding of the true meaning of martial arts. He will soon recognize that style is an illusion and that the consistency of a system will endure for his entire martial arts life
In the second hall the student is instructed in Gei Bun Dong Jok (Basic Movements) to develop his ability to move instinctively with speed, balance, and power, while using minimum energy. It is at this level that the student is taught the value of stances, footwork, directional techniques in the air, forms, structure, and the basis of how to position himself for superior position to engage his opponent. Everything that we teach is based upon concepts. Using the six criteria as a training methodology the student is taken through a process where he can receive lectures, learn the body mechanics, experience the free motions of his techniques, and gain an insight into the impact of his techniques through feedback. He then is put into a situation where he can feel the stress of actual combat in a controlled environment. The stress is increased from time to time to prepare him for actual combat. It is evident that only in an actual life and death situation can the full understanding of combat be experienced.
In the third hall the progression continues to develop the practical and effectiveness of a martial artist. He brings all of his previous training experience to focus using Chi Sau (Sticky Hands),Ti (Kicking), Da (Striking), Shuai (Throwing), and Na (Controlling) as weapons of simultaneous attack and defense. In his previous training he learned the movements and was exposed to stress, now he will refine his art. In addition the knowledge of the four activities; Entertainment, Exercise, Sports, and Combat is instructed in order that the student will develop a true sense of reality in regards to his martial arts. Also, at this level, the student is taught the Four Ranges of Combat so that he can fully understand the time and place to deploy each of his weapons. At this level a martial artist should be able to handle most situations in a real environment of conflict.
In our training in the next hall, we refer to it as the Weng Chun Dim, he will learn to be efficient and will, step by step, go deeper into the understanding of Heaven, Man and Earth fighting. During this training a paradigm shift will occur and there will be an integration of all of the knowledge from the previous halls, leading to a unified and seasoned martial artist who can “hold his own” in any arena. The progression will continue with the adherence of economy of motion which will culminate in maximum efficiency in the use of time and space. In this training all illusion of style will be forever removed and replaced by the knowledge that only a system can be manifested through this learning experience. The ultimate goal for a martial artist is emptiness. Emptiness is a state of mind where Time, Space, and Energy are at one creating perfection and then cease to exist, leaving only emptiness.
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