Archive for October 2006
Magnificent Buddhist Site
Posted on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 5:42 AM by Sifu Smith
The Great Longmen Grottoes is considered one of the most magnificent sites in all the world. In China, it is considered one of the top three sculptural sites. Carved into Mt. Longmen, during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). There are 2,345 caves and niches, 1,000 inscriptions, 28,000 Buddhist images and is located near Luoyang, Henan Province.
The Hidden Stream Cave; cave number 20; holds the Amitabha statue, with bodhisattvas to each side, two armored king protect the doorway. Two Buddhas are also carved into the doorway outside the cave.
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Chinese Detain Border Escorts
Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 at 9:16 AM by Sifu Smith
We helped reported earlier the slaughter where Tibetans were shot-down
while trying to escape to India through a mountain pass. Recently, a
home was raided by the Chinese Public Security Bureau (equivilant to
U.S. FBI) and two Tibetans have been gathered for further investigation.
Also one Sherpa from Nepal has been detained; all are assumed to be
guides that are assisting Tibetan's into India. Llasa authorities have
not been able to comment on the situation.
It is not known where the guides have been taken; it was reported that steps were taken so that raid was could not be witnessed. The name of guide from Nepal isn't known.
FYI: A Flight from Llasa to Nepal takes about 1 hour. The same journey on land takes five grueling days, with air sickness, thick dust or bitter cold, usually at night to prevent from being shot-down.
Posted in Stories
Buddhist Temple - Yongfu
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 5:46 AM by Sifu Smith
One of the largest and oldest Buddhist Temples in mainland China. It was
built in 362, and has been rebuilt many times since. Much of the art in
the temple was created in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Posted in Stories
Huangshan Mountain
Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 5:46 AM by Sifu Smith
Huangshan Moutain was called Yishan Mountain during the Qin Dynasty
(221-206 BC). It's current name was given during the Tang Dynasty
(618-907). It has been described in many stories and poems as the best
mountain in China. Buddhist Monastaries have outnumbered the Taoist
one's since the end of the Ming Dynasty. The legends associated with the
mountain include visits from the Yellow Emporer, the Dragon King, and
the Yellow Emporer.
Posted in Stories
Acupuncture Helps Stroke Victim
Posted on Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 6:40 PM by Sifu Smith
15 Americans just left for Tianjing University for therapies and
assistance. Most were very dissatisfied with the money-focused plans of
the US, and the lack of benefit. Ms. Rose is making her second trip. At
42 she had a stroke, she was told by American MD's she would be bound to
wheelchair. Fortunately, she didn't believe them and a Chinese student,
who was in the U.S., recommended Tianjing Uni.
During her first trip, she spent two months in healthful therapy, involving the chi, acupoint therapy, and breathing exercises. She restored her motor function within these two months, now after one year of work, she is 98% restored. Ms. Rose wrote a book on her experience, and now she takes 10-15 people to the university for assistance.
Beginners Tai Chi Assessment
Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:27 AM by Sifu Smith
The students that we work with expect more than an empty set of form. They want substance and understanding. To support their expectations, we have developed two Beginers Assessments. A midpoint assessement that has practical Mechanics of Movement, Understanding of Basic Principles, Health Points, & Basic Philosophy. For example: List the Seven Primary Emotions that we must practice managing. Students should expect to perform well here, prior to adding more movements. There is no charge for this, it is part of the curriculum.
There is a Stage One Assessment at the completion of the form that is 25 questions that allow the student to express their deeper understanding of the rudimentary principles. A new Beginning Tai Chi Manual is under production now for ordering and download.
Edited on: Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:59 AMPosted in Kung Fu, Raleigh, Students
WuShu Dept is NOW HIRING
Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 9:27 AM by Sifu Smith
China Global TV is now looking for the carrier of the Film industries
flame. To step up and make Bruce Li, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li proud. The
Shaolin Temple along with a cable station began holding contests over
the summer in search for the new face of choreographed wushu.
Posted in Stories
Perform at Temple
Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 9:26 AM by Sifu Smith
Westerners were given an opportunity to practice in front of the Shaolin
Temple's Abbot, as monk's of the temple observed. The Abbot encouraged
westerners to learn culture and etiquette, then to blend this knowledge
whereever possible in there US lifestyles. Report from Newspaper of
China.
New Area's Open
Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 6:31 AM by Sifu Smith
New Area's of the website have re-opened and new information has been added. There is FREE access available, members and students area's. Send in your request and an individual passcode will be sent to you: Request Passcode
15 minutes of video has been added; New Tai Chi Short Form Lessons; and the ever growing blog access.
Edited on: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 6:35 AMWu Shu Tournament to Select Wife(s)
Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 5:29 PM by Sifu Smith
Professors & Referrees have established the rules for the Lion Dance
Contest, where the winners can possibly select to marry ladies from the
Lion Dance Team out of the Quangdong Province. Contestants (that often
are foreigners)must have won the first two difficult tests before
getting the opportunity for the third and final competition. After, the
winners will exchange information with the ladies, kneel and drink "Hero
Wine", then be permitted to start a formal relationship.
Posted in Stories
New Classes Starting in Raleigh
Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 7:39 AM by Sifu Smith
Due to an increased interest in 'during the day classes' we are now allowing people to schedule coming in for training on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. These students are also encouraged to come to out Saturday practices at the park.
We have also laid the plans for weekend workshops, to get you involved in a 'semester setting'. The workshops are on Saturday Mornings for one hour. Classes are kept very small so that individual training is focused.
If you are interested: Go Here
Edited on: Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:42 AMWitnesses of Tibetan Slaughter at Nangpa La Pass
Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 7:20 AM by Sifu Smith
Several Westerners witnessed the slaughter of Tibetans by the Chinese
earlier this month at the mouth of the Nangpa La pass. This pass
connects Tibet with Nepal and has been used for centuries. The witness
included two British policemen that were fulfilling a life dream of
climbing the Cho Oyu mountains. One witness reported; "I walked out of
our dining tent to gaze over towards the Nangpa La pass. I saw a line of
Tibetans heading towards the start of the pass - a common sight, as the
trade routes are open this time of year. Then shots began to ring out."
Several people were reported dead, including a Nun.
Bodies were shoved into crevices and the children were taken away. It is not uncommon for people of Tibet to use the pass to seek refuge in Nepal, however it is normally only used in the winter or at night to add to protection, but increases risk. This time, due to the children they were trying to make the pass at dawn.
Edited on: Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:43 AMPosted in Stories
Student Updates
Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 5:47 AM by Sifu Smith
.JPG)
Star is coming close to completing the Tai Chi Short Form Pattern.
Jeff,
Steve and Lisa are moving along in the Short Form.
Steve, Byron and
Peter are working on bringing the Reeling and Drawing of Silk into their
practice and sparring.
Karla, Chad and Reid are now reworking the
forms and patterns with togetherness timing.
Morrow returned on
Saturday
Nancy extends a "Hello" to her classmates.
2000 Year Old Tombs Uncovered
Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 8:30 AM by Sifu Smith
Chinese archaeologists have unearthed seven large tombs, including a
grave of aristocrats, dating back 2,000 years in North China's Hebei
Province. The seven tombs, six belonging to the Warring State (475-221
B.C.) and one belonging to the Eastern Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD),
were found at a construction site in the Xuanhua District of Zhangjiakou
City.
According to archaeologists from local archaeology research institute, more than 20 pieces of jade articles, bronze items, lacquer work and pottery objects were unearthed from the tombs. All the tombs were well formed with chamber size ranging from two to five square meters. The owners of the Han tomb were a couple and owners of other tombs were buried individually.
The owner of the No. 2 tomb, the largest, was found in a coffin with outside cover, indicating his high social status of noble during the time, the archaeologists said. Grave robbers had broken into the tomb, stealing many funerary objects and causing serious damage. Fortunately, the coffin remained intact, they said.
The tomb was of great value in the study of the culture, social development and funeral customs of Warring State and the Han Dynasty, the experts said.
Edited on: Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:29 AMPosted in Stories
Farmer Standing Trial for Murdering Taoist Temple Staff
Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 8:26 AM by Sifu Smith
Qiu Xinghua is a 47 year old farmer in near the Shaanxi Province. He has
been accused of murdering 10 people in their sleep who work in the
Tiewadien Taoist Temple. Qiu was reported to have quarreled with temple
staff as he thought the abbot had flirted with his wife. He's accused
for stabbing the victims to death as they slept on the night of July
14th.
After a nation-wide manhunt, Qiu was arrested in mid August.
National and local media have provided extensive coverage of the Qiu's
case, a rarity in China.
Qui's trial begins at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at
Ankang Railway Transportation Court in Ankang city of the northwestern
province of Shaanxi, the Beijing News reported Saturday.
Posted in Stories
Wu Shu and Kung Fu
Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 7:03 AM by Sifu Smith
Having often been asked about the differences between Wu Shu and Kung Fu, I thought it would be wise to share on the topic. Wu Shu literally interpretted can mean 'military art', and in it's original context that it is what stood for, fighting art. Through the course of time, and the interests of competition, sport, entertainment, the emphasis in Wu Shu turned more to speed, agility, and presentation. Jet Li and Jackie Chan both excelled in this more modern art form. Kung Fu is supposed to be carrying the responsibility of the 'fighting art' that has been left behind by Wu Shu. We support the concept that there is Wu Shu for Show, Wu Shu and Kung Fu for Health, and Kung Fu for fighting, select your kwoon (school) wisely.
Edited on: Saturday, October 14, 2006 8:34 AM