Chinese martial arts has a long history, is broad and profound, and is the crystallization of the wisdom of the Chinese nation. It pays attention to both rigidity and softness, both internal and external cultivation, and contains the Chinese nation's understanding of life and the universe. Widely known overseas as "Kung Fu", Chinese martial arts has become a window for people around the world to understand Chinese culture, and many people fall in love with China because they fall in love with Chinese Kung Fu.
"The parents of those who give birth to me, the master who teaches me", the traditional master-apprentice relationship is second only to the father-son relationship, and "worshipping the teacher" is the top priority for learning martial arts.
On October 14, 2022, the acceptance ceremony of Master Lan Chaohai of the Kung Fu Center of Shaolin Temple in New York, USA was held in Queens, New York, and a group of martial artists and friendly people from all walks of life from the United States attended the scene to witness the grand ceremony.
During the event, according to the traditional apprenticeship ceremony, Master Lan Chaohai accepted 30 beginner disciples. Lan Chaohai Lan (Chaohai Lan), legal name Yanshen, a native of Kaifeng, Henan, and a 34th generation lay disciple of Songshan Shaolin Temple. He is currently the head of the Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Center in New York, the vice president of the Songshan Shaolin Temple Overseas Association, the founder and executive vice president of the American Martial Arts Association, and the vice president of the East Henan Hometown Association.
This is a traditional cultural inheritance, a ceremony without borders and races. The youngest disciple is 5 years old, the oldest is 63 years old, and even Florida specially flew over to visit the teacher. In the evening, more than 80 guests, disciples and parents witnessed this meaningful acceptance ceremony. Guests present included President Wang Jicheng of the East Henan Hometown Association, Chairman Niu Hong of the All-American Federation of Chinese and Overseas Chinese, Mr. Zhao Jing'an, Candidate of New York 40th Constituency, Zhang Liang, President of the American Martial Arts Association, Shen Jun, President of the Shanghai Hometown Association, Ms. Luo Yan, Representative of the New York State House Representative Kim Xixi, President Zhou Yun of the Shanghai Hometown Association in the United States, President Lin Cifei of the Fujian Chamber of Commerce in the United States, Mr. Huang Jinjiang, famous Hong Kong film actor, Yang Yiyue, Vice President of the New York Shandong Hometown Association, Mr. Sun Liansheng, Honorary President of the Shandong Hometown Association, and Zhang Guoying, Vice President of the Eastern Henan Hometown Association. Master Guolin, President of Shaolin Temple Overseas Association, Mr. Wong Cheng, Honorary President of American Martial Arts Association, Master Wang Mingxun, the eighth generation of Taiji Mantis Boxing, Professor Qi Feilong, Chairman of the World I Ching Feng Shui Research Association, Master Zhang Weidong, Chinese Wrestling Champion Zhang Weidong, Master Mei Yi Wing Chun Tsang Shaoji, Vice President of Shaolin Temple Overseas Association, Master Guo Shen, Master John May of Mui Yi Wing Chun, Mr. William Chow, etc.
Worship ceremony: (pictured)
l Introduce the lineage of the sect
l Shangxiang worship worship master ancestor (Songshan Shaolin Temple ancestor of the past) (Grandmaster Gao Youren, the 19th generation head of Gao Clan Shaolin Kung Fu)
l Apprentice Cheng worshipped the master, and after the master sat down. The disciples bowed to the master on their heads and bowed to the master three times and bowed nine times. Offering a sticker of worship to the teacher with both hands, he expressed his willingness to join the teachers to learn the art and accept the teachings of the master and the master.
l Master receives the master's tea. The disciples worship the master with a bowl of tea, called "change mouth tea", change the mouth of the master. The master receives the tea from the master, officially acknowledging the master-apprentice relationship between them and will also offer tea to the master and mother to change his mouth.
l The disciples pay respects to the master, and the master returns the gift as a commemoration.
l Master admonishes the rules.
l Master and disciple worship the ancestor together. Master led all the disciples to perform three knees and nine knocks. Worship the ancestor together and pray for the blessing of the disciples of the master's sect to testify.
l After the ceremony, the worship ceremony is over, and the master and disciple take a group photo.
Master Lan Chaohai, born in a martial arts family, maternal grandfather Grandmaster Gao Gong Youren is the nineteenth generation head of Shaolin Kung Fu of the Gao clan, born in 1907 in a Buddhist and martial arts family, devoted his life to cultivating and promoting Shaolin Kung Fu, passed away in 2004 at the age of 97.
When Gao Gong was young, he served as a guard company commander under the faction of the great warlord Feng Yuxiang and Commander Ji Hongchang, until the death of the general, Gao Gong retired and returned to his hometown, officially starting his apprenticeship career, and obtained many disciples. In the early eighties of last century, at the invitation of the administrative monk of the abbot of Shaolin Temple, he went to Shaolin Temple to teach Gao Shi Shaolin Kung Fu, so that the hundreds of years of Gao Shi Shaolin Kung Fu returned to Shaolin Temple, Gao Gong unreservedly taught the heart method of Gao Shi Shaolin Kung Fu to the young warrior monks of Shaolin Temple, of which it is particularly worth mentioning that he taught the long-lost ancient boxing method of Shaolin Temple and 72 sets of arhat short fights practiced by 500 monks and soldiers of Shaolin Temple in the Ming Dynasty to the warrior monks. Gao Gong's selfless contribution has left merit for inheriting and promoting Shaolin martial arts! As a descendant of Gao Gong, Master Lan Chaohai is working hard to let more people in the world appreciate the true meaning of Gao's Shaolin Kung Fu!
The ceremony ended successfully, which aroused great repercussions and praise in New York. It is hoped that through this activity, more people can be encouraged to understand Chinese martial arts, become interested in traditional culture, and enhance their awareness of physical exercise.
Source丨He Jinde's directorial studio, "Time China" magazine
Writing丨He Media Studio of Guangdong Cultural Society
Release丨He Media Matrix
Responsible editor丨He Jinde