An interview with one of the "Latter Five"
"Could you tell me a little about how Grandmaster Lam Sang did his Chi Kung?"
Lam Sang's Jook Lum Chi Kung is more strick than other Chi Kung. You must wake up at 4am in the mornings, and not wash your face, go to bathroom, or brush your teeth. Go straight outside and start practicing soft breathing movements. This must every day without skipping. Skip one day, and you lose three days. For a period of six to 12 months, (depending on person), you must not have sex, and playing with yourself is not allowed. Not until you have reached some sort of breakthrough, then you can have limited sex. Even then, you are taught how to hold your essence inward.
I've heard the hours have to be between 4am, and not after 7am. So you can even practice at 5:30 am. Another Point of Lam Sang's Jook Lum Chi Kung I've heard, is that anyone who has Diabetes, cannot practice this style of Chi Kung. Also alcohol and Smoking, blocks the Chi. Yet limited is allowed."
"What makes Grandmaster Lam Sang's Poison Snake Pole different?"
Lam Sang's Poison Snake Pole was taught directly form Lee Siem, and there are two sets. The second set, being more important than the first. "The Snake Wraps Around The Tree". The tip of the pole is sharpened like a phoenix eye. Even if one knows the pressure points, there are points on the legs and foot, which cannot be hit with the hands, and that's where The Poison Snake Pole comes in.
"Could you tell me about Grandmaster Lam Sang's 108"
Lam Sang's 108 points is completely different from what's accepted knowledge on the outside. It's 108 plus and X amount of points. Dealing with The Four Seasons with a Pa Kua chart. Yet anyone who has the Pa Kua chart cannot figure out a thing. Lam Sang has everything inside this chart switched around. The outside is brought into the inside, and the inside is brought outside. So unless the master has personally taught you, there is no way one can figure it out. For example: Yin and Yang. In Mantis, it's dealing with Hot and Cold. When the weather is hot, your blood is more towards the surface of your body and can be easily hit. The opposite for Cold weather…..
"Is there anything you could tell me about his family"
During Lam Sang's final stay in the United States, (1981-1991), he was finally recognized by the government, (under President Ronald Regan), for his services in the United States Army during WWII.
Within that ten year period, Lam Sang traveled at least three times back to Taiwan, with a short stay in Hong Kong to visit his family. He was especially close to his younger son, and granddaughter who are presently still living in Kowloon side, Tsin Sha Tsui. His elder son passed away a few years back, and has left behind four or five grown up children. Lam Sang also has a daughter in China whom he hasn't seen for over forty years. Her husband is a government official, so she is doing quite well.
At on point Lam Sang did consider going back to the old country to see his daughter. However due to circumstances, he did not go through with the idea. There are pictures of Lam Sang having dinner with his two sons, and grand children. His younger son is not a martial artist, but a scholar. I have heard at present that he has retired from teaching at the university and is spending his time reading the Buddhist Scriptures.
"What made Jook Lum's Tit Dar Jou so special?"
During the old days, when Lam Sang was in Hong Kong with his sifu and si hing that they always made the Tit Dar Jou with some opium. It was the opium that gave Southern Mantis Tit Dar Jou that special effect and made it so special. Even after Lam Sang came over to the U.S., he still made it the same way. Another name for this medicine was "Tit Cho Jou", meaning iron vinegar liquor. Because vinegar and certain metals were needed for that special effect. Probably a type of chemical reaction. Most people in the old country and Hong Kong now cannot get opium, so they would have to settle for "Sha Hang", which is the musk from a deer. Even this type or "Sha Hang", as a lot of fakes in the market today. Must be careful, or will not be effective at all.
"Could you tell me a little about Master Chin Ho Doon?"
He was one of the "Early Five Snakes", and what ever differences Chin Ho Doon, (Mark Foon's Partner) and Lam Sang had will be excluded here. Instead we will focus on Chin Ho Doon's mastery of Jook Lum Jee Tong Long Pai. Chin Ho Doon's hands can be soft like cotton, and so swift you only see his elbow move. Yet his fingers have already touched you. When in contact with you he will almost definitely make you fly. He has mastered the combination of "Hard and Soft". That is the heart of Jook Lum Mantis. Easily said, but hard to do. The Ging could come out of his shoulder, knee and even from behind. It comes without notice and you will feel it.
Though Chin Ho Doon was good, he never sought fame, nor would he show off. That is why he is highly respected in Kung Fu. Maybe some time in the future some owner of a 1960's old clip will be put out for everyone to see. It shows Chin Ho Doon doing 108 on New Years Eve. Even at that time he was still learning, and had not yet reached perfection. Also performing you have Mark Foon, very little in the beginning of Lam Sang, The main Character in the old Wong Fei Hung movies, and a Mr. Tom, who respected Lam Sang a lot, and is now diseased.
"Did he take on any deciples?"
Chun Ho Doon had five disciples, and taught many. His top two disciples were Norman Chin and Milton Chin. Norman Chin being quite tall, and Milton Chin being short and skinny. Milton used to practice very hard. When no partner was around to practice with, he would use a chair and run around it doing the plum blossom set in a low horse. At the same time he would do a mantis horse exercise, with the legs together, and hands in front, sitting on a chair, but without the chair. These exercises are very painful, yet he came extremely close to becoming the chair. That's why while doing a two man set; Milton seemed to fly around the person.
Now Minton Chin has his own school, "The Chin Family Praying Mantis". Normally this would be disrespectful. Yet in Milton's case he had his reasons. Before he changed the name, there were some mantis people telling him he can do this, but cannot do that. It became too ridiculous, so he changed to Chin's Family Praying Mantis. In other words, I do my thing, don't bother me! He's staying out of all the politics.
"What about Master Dougie Chin?"
Dougie Chin did learn from Lam Sang, and was in the same class as the later five snakes. The only reason why he dropped out half way was because he felt that he had a responsibility to teach a younger bunch of kids, and guide them towards the proper way. He would sacrifice his time to help the younger generation. If lucky, and can be found by someone out there, you will see a clip of Dougie doing Sam Bo Gin in a celebration in Boston.
"Do you know anything about Master Milton Chin?"
Living or dead, when Master Chin Ho Doon died, Master Milton Chin was always the same. When Ho Doon was alive, he never asked to learn this or that, but learned what was taught. When Ho Doon died, he did his best as a disciple to have Ho Doon's ashes handled properly. His simo, (Ho Doon's wife), is very proud of him. He did not come to her house looking for this or that. If he likes your character, he would teach you without the thought of money. If he didn't like your character, he would not teach you, even if you offered to pay.
Someone did meet him recently, and this is what he had to say: "Everyone is searching all over in mantis, trying to get this and that. Not knowing that it's in front of them, and really very simple"
Though Milton hadn't learned from Lam Sang himself, he is heading towards the same path which Lam Sang took. Watch how he leaves……
"Could you tell me about Grandmaster Lam Sang's Final Years?"
Lam Sang's final years were mostly greeting visitors, morning walks to Chinatown's O.T.B., playing Ma Jang, and close door teachings of the Latter Five Snakes. In this part, I would like to focus on the later part of Lam Sang's last year.
No more than six months before Lam Sang passes away, he started to prepare for his funeral. Except for taking high blood pressure pills, he had no sickness. He appointed the latter five snakes to handle his funeral. He personally went to the cemetery and picked out the plot which he wished to rest in. Stating he likes the view. He listened to comments on how his tombstone should be, and gave final approval for the way it looks today.
One of the latter five snakes Ah Wong, (Donald Wong), must be given credit, because he was in Boston at the time, and one of his classmates were responsible to let him know of Lam Sang's last wish. Without any ifs or buts, his responds was "What ever sifu wishes, is what we will do".
Another one of the Last Five Snakes that should be given credit is Ah Moy, (Paul Moy). He kept record of every detail of the finances of the funeral, exact to the penny and gave everyone a copy. The funeral went very well. Even Lam Sang's youngest son and daughter in-law came over from Hong Kong.
Grandmaster Lam Wing Fay
The late Grandmaster Lam Wing Fay, also known as Lam Sang, is very well known and respected person in the Chinese communities and in the martial art world, even after his passing in 1991.
Grandmaster Lam Sang's personal journey started in China at the age of 13. He was taught Southern Mantis under Sifu Chang Yu Jung and later by Singung Lee Sum See. The time Lam Sang spent with the "Old Monk", as Lam Sang called Lee Sum See, both building the temple and training, would last more than 10 years.
During the Japanese invasion of WWII in 1942, Lam Sang, like many other worried Chinese, immigrated to other countries. Lam Sang found himself on his way to Liverpool, England where he taught his art to the Hakka dock workers. Later on, Lam Sang settled in New York for the next 40 years.
In the early 1950's he briefly taught mantis at the Sung Tsing Association. By the mid 1950's with his established reputation, Lam Sang was invited by the Hip Sing Association to teach his art at Pell Street. Lam sang was introduced to the Chinese Free Masons Athletic Club, also know as Hung Ching, in the late 1950's. He settled and taught his art of Kwong Sai Lung Fu San Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai to the club. by now, Lam Sang has many students and disciples from Hakka dock workers to Sung Tsing to Hip Sing to Chinese Free Masons Athletic Club.
Jook Lum Tong Long Pai was the largest kung fu school in Chinatown New York in 1963. He continued teaching until 1969 and retired in Taiwan. When Lam Sang came back to the United States in 1981. His first stop off the plane was to a house in Long Island. You do have a few people,who are not crazy about Kung Fu. Yet they would do alot to help Lam Sang. One of these was Tommy Wong, and it was in Tommy Wongs home that Lam Sang First stayed,for about a month. Yet everyday Lam Sang would come out to Chinatown.
Finally Free Mason, gave Lam Sang a room to stay in. A few years later, the president of Free Mason, (at the time), Mr Lum June, (spelling by sound) arrainged for Lam Sang to acquired his own one bedroom apartment, in the same building. Within this ten year period, there were no changes in temperature of the relationship Lam Sang had with these great: people,friends,brothers.
Another one is known by the nickname Ah NKow (by sound), who works at the flower shop in Chinatown. Ah Nkow has no interest at all in learning anykind of Kung fu.
After Lam Sangs retirement in 1968, and prior to Lam Sangs returned in 1981. During the 1970's, Ah Nkow made a trip to Taiwan. At that time Lam Sang was in a hospital in Taiwan. Ah Nkow picked up the entire hospital bill, and this was a great help to Lam Sang. Even after returning to the United States, Lam Sang would mentioned this to people. It is people like these if not written about here, would be forever forgotten....
Grandmaster Lam Sang passed away in 1991.
On our 50th year, the Chinese Free Masons Athletic Club honors Grandmaster Lam Sang for his greatest treasure to the club, Kwong Sai Lung Fu San Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai and our utmost gratitude to Lam Sang for teaching Mo Duk (martial ethics) to the club. We will never forget.
At this moment, I want to mention Lin Bok for taking care of Lam Sang's original shrine in the club. Without his dedication and guidance, the shrine would be forever lost. The shrine was inherited from Lam Sang who trusted Lin Bok for his utmost accountability and responsibility. The club extends our warmest thanks and appreciation to you.
In the tradition of Grandmaster Lam Sang, the club has many head instructors after Lam Sang. It is here where I want to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the following sifus: Norman Chin, Dougie Chin and the club's latest instructor, James Cama.
Sifu Norman Chin is currently teaching Lam Sang's Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai in New York as well as New Jersey, Georgia and Montana. His student body is well over 200 people learning from Norman chin.
Sifu Dougie Chin was the lead instructor for the club for 2 years until his personal matters interfered with his teaching schedule. Besides volunteering his time at the club, Dougie helps his brother, Milton chin, who is the chief instructor of the Chin Family Southern Mantis. The club thanks you, Sifu Dougie Chin and appreciates your kind work.
Sifu James Cama is the current instructor for the club. His sifu is Robert Lee who is a disciple of Grandmaster Lam Sang for more than 10 years. James Cama is also versed in Fut Sao Wing Chun Kuen. The club is very excited about James Cama and his disciples teaching at our club, explaining the details and intricacies of Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai.
SCHEDULE COMING SOON
For class information call:
James Cama Sifu
347-495-6992
Lam Sang's Grave Site
It's about that time of year when most everyone goes to the cemetary and pays respect to the dead. In this article I would like to bring attention to The Special Three from Boston, who each and every year quietly visits Lam Sangs grave, then quietly returns to Boston.
These Three are Donald Wong, Wayne Chin, and Larry Wong. They do not go when everyone is out there looking, but choose October when it's quiet. Paying respect from the heart, not putting up a show to be recognized. They are from Boston Free Mason.
Lam Sang taught these three in New York Chinese Free Mason. They would travel from Boston each and every week to learn from Lam Sang. All three had a good foundation in Chi Kung. Larry Wong had to drop out due to personal reason, yet still every year he pays a visit to Lam Sangs grave.
When choosing the ladder Five, besides Donald Wong, Lam Sang did consider Wayne Chin. This however would bring the number to three from Boston and two from New york. Since Lam Sang was living and teaching in New York Free Mason, he thought it only fair that Three would be from New York, and two from Boston. That is the only reason why Lam Sang had to pick one less from Boston.
Alot of credit must be given to these special three, who each and every year always quietly visits Lam Sangs grave. In the near future, we hope to show some photos of the site Lam Sang picked, and it's surroundings.
