Shaolin Kung Fu Centers

Spirit of the Students Scrolls

We learn in kung fu that the foundation of kung fu (our training basics) is the strongest most important part. Without this strong foundation, every building block set on top of it, regardless of how fancy, impressive to others, or advanced in technique, will eventually crumble and fall.

Some can believe and understand that, as kung fu students, we can build nothing and be nothing without first putting time, effort, and spirit into a proper foundation.

With some very special students, Sigung Maury and Sifu Sara have begun on the foundation of the first Hua temple in the US.

“Shaolin kung fu was developed in the famous Shaolin Monastery, which was no ordinary monastery; it was an imperial temple where emperors of every dynasty ascended to pray on behalf of the people. Hence, Shaolin monks were no ordinary monks; they included some of the best generals, ministers, poets, philosophers and other great minds of the empire. Many princes renounced their luxurious palace lives to pursue higher developments at the Shaolin Monastery. It is no surprise therefore, that the Shaolin Monastery was both a collecting and a diffusing centre for some of the best teachings of the Chinese civilization.”  -Wong Kiew Kit

To build this type of “centre” or “imperial temple,” which will hopefully call to the great minds and reflect the traditional teachings, is the motivating force that has driven Sigung and Sifu to persevere through many hardships, and they have hopes that it will monument the most important purpose within their life’s work.

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds, your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents come alive, and you find yourself to be a greater person by far that you ever dreamed yourself to be.” – Patanjali

Some very special students arrived to help with the foundation of this mission.

These students traveled many miles and were faced with many obstacles and challenges.

Some of these challenges were great enough where many would have turned back, but these students persevered with passionate determination and spirit to help their Sifu’s build this very important foundation.

“History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heart breaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.” – Bertie C. Forbes

In fact, these students labored in nearly 100 degree heat.

Some drove all night and, upon arrival, jumped right in to help the team without the luxury of a nights sleep.

Many of these students came….

Without even being asked.

Their teamwork was surreal and the spirit of their mission was unwavering, it sang in their voices, and ran from their souls into the very foundation in sweat and blood.

The labor was incredibly intense…

And lasted for 3 days.

These students were literally unstoppable and ranged from beginner level to advanced.

Who are these students? Where/how did these Sifu’s come to have such students?

“In learning kung fu, you are not only trying to help yourself, but others as well. You cannot just try to improve yourself without helping others, because one of the more important Chinese maxims is: For the glory and the spreading of the teaching of kung fu.” – Grandmaster Chan Pui

These students each wrote a personal scroll. All of the scrolls were put together in one box and will be buried in the concrete of the foundation.

Each tremendous effort, each brightly burning spirit, and each gesture of teamwork, belief and love for what they do will feed from the foundation into the very walls of this temple in hopes that it will enter into the hearts, minds, and spirits of those who will “pursue higher developments” within these temple walls and be passed on for many years to come.

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 “A student must first show interest, enthusiasm, respect, and loyalty. Then he must demonstrate strong will, patience, and perseverance to carry on the training. In Chinese martial society, there is a saying: “A student will look for a good master for three years, and a master will test a student for three years. A moral student will teach honestly, correctly, and loyally. He will pass down the traditional art correctly, but he will also add his own creative ideas. An immoral student will just hurt society and downgrade the martial art.” – Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

We have high hopes that this temple will not only house the Sifu’s for the remainder of their lives, but act as a lighthouse in the kung fu world, with a brilliant and historical light that will guide new students, current students, and old masters to its’ shore.

“What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” -Emerson

For all who have been, are now, and will be part of something greater than themselves through the study of Hua Quan, we thank you!

“It’s the courage and confidence to begin.

It’s the passion and perseverance to continue.

It’s the talent and tenacity to finish.

It’s the roads you choose, the meetings you make, the mountains you move, and the example you set.

It’s all these things and more that comprise “success.”

And in the end, we don’t just celebrate what you did, but who you are.”

-Compendium