Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun Kun (Chinese: 黑旗門詠春拳; pinyin: hēi qí men yǒng chūn quán), also commonly pronounced as HKB Wing Chun Kuen (Translated as Black Flag Wing Chun), is a Southern Chinese martial arts claimed to originate from Fujian Province. The name "Hek Ki Boen" refers to the claimed origin of the system - Black Flag Secret Societies, one of the claimed early five lodges of secret societies supposedly established after The Shaolin Temple burning in Fujian. HKB oral history denotes their lineage as being one of the gate keepers of the original Shaolin Wing Chun from Eng Chun Tim[Everlasting Springtime Hall inside Shaolin Temple in Fujian]. The Fabled story of Five Survival of Shaolin Fujian are possibly the representation of the early Five lodges of a branch of the "Ang Boen" (Cantonese: Hung Men/Secret Societies). This art is also known as Hok Kian Eng Chun Kun (福建詠春拳).
This unique style which has a very strong foundation of Chan Buddhism as claimed to be practiced at Shaolin Temple originally. It stresses the importance of total "Detachment". Starting with the detachment of mind and body - Microcosm The detachment of (Heaven[Time] and Earth[Space] -Macrocosm. Last is the detachment toward any kind of form/shape. The goal is to reach 無极/"Bukek" (emptiness).
In the past, people in the west were not familiar with this lineage, as Eng Chun Kun was not a popular pronunciation of Wing Chun Kuen Kungfu. "Wing Chun Kuen" has become the adopted standard in western vocabulary of martial arts. However, Since Eng Chun (Wing Chun) supposedly came from Shaolin in Fujian, the original name/pronunciation of 詠春拳 should be Eng Chun Kun in hokkian (Fukienese Dialect). This pronunciation is disputed however as being more of the Indonesian style of Chinese versus what would have been spoken in China at the founding of Wing Chun. The system has been opened to the public for the last 10 years, and is now considered by some as a branch of the more widely known art of Wing Chun in the West.
Some of the key concepts and formula that are unique from this system:
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As told by Sukong [Grandmaster] Tio Tik Kwi.
The Burning of Southern Shaolin Temple in Fukien,China.
The creation of Eng Chun [Wing Chun] was due to the invasion and overthrow of the Beng [Ming] by the Cheng [Qing] in 1644. The Beng [Ming] Loyalists regrouped and began to formalize plans to fight back against the Cheng [Qing] invasion. There were warriors from the military, the martial arts community, and fighting monks willing to put their lives on the line in support of the Beng [Ming] Dynasty. One of the strongholds used by these groups was the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fukien Province that served as a refugee center for Beng [Ming] royalists. The Southern Shaolin Temple became a main base used by members of the Anti-Cheng [Anti-Qing] movement.
Many warriors including professional soldiers, warrior monks, and civilian martial artists exchanged information and practiced together for the purpose of overthrowing the Cheng [Qing] Dynasty. Through their combined efforts, they developed a new hybrid system as the essence of all advanced styles. The place they used to discuss the new hybrid system was called Eng Chun Tim (Weng Chun Dim), which meant “Hall of Forever Spring” inside the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fukien. Their purpose was for the new system to be taught to secret rebellion warriors to overthrow the Cheng [Qing] Dynasty and preserve the depth of wisdom and knowledge within the Shaolin Temples.
With a large amount of Cheng [Qing] troops armed with many canons, the Shaolin temple in Fukien was destroyed and burned to the ground. Legends say there were only five survivors, known as the Five Ancestors. These Five Ancestors represent the five branches of secret societies formed by the survivors of the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple; Black Flag, Red Flag, Yellow/carnation Flag, White Flag and Green Flag.
HKB Eng Chun Kun (Black Flag Wing Chun Kuen) system arrived in Indonesia.
"Tjia Fun Jiao" was later revealed to be the last known Chief Instructor of the black flag society in China, due to one incident in which Tjia Fun fled to Indonesia. He was found by Sujo [GGM] King Yang. After meeting with KongCo [GGGM] Tjia Fun Jiao, Sujo [GGM] King Yang took him home and took care of him as his own parent for almost two years. For two years, Sujo [GGM] still practiced martial arts while KongCo [GGGM] Tjia lived upstairs. During that two years time, KongCo [GGGM] Tjia was very impressed by Sujo’s [GGM] dedication in practicing Chinese martial arts. In 1909, KongCo [GGGM] also felt that he owed too much of a favor to Sujo [GGM] King Yang and he wanted to repay it by teaching Sujo [GGM] King Yang everything he knew about the Black Flag Eng Chun system.
Sujo King Yang, the 2nd generation lineage holder of the Shaolin Black Flag Engchun, died in 1986 at 97 years old and left the precious Shaolin Treasure system to the chosen next successor; Tai Su Kong [Senior Grandmaster] The Kang Hai and Sukong [Grandmaster] Tio Tik Kwi.
Suhu Lin Xiang Fuk began his Fukien Black Flag Eng Chun training in or about 1985 with Tai Sukong (Dai Sigung) [Senior Grandmaster] The Kang Hai (3rd Generation of Black Flag Wing Chun successor) . He also sought instruction from Sukong [GM] Tio Tik Kwi, who appointed Suhu Lin, as his next successor. Since 2005, Suhu Lin opened the door for the west to study.
In July 2010, a translated article from the newspaper China News Express appeared on several internet forums [1] in regards to Black Flag Wing Chun [2]:
Some views on Wing Chun - Refuting the ulterior motive of the believers
- (China News Express) and Wing Chun’s “Ip Man” recent film screening is renewing enthusiasm for Chinese culture and history. All kinds of comments and divergent thinking were generated from a native of Shandong Province, Mr. Zhao Yuan, a newspaper contributor, who published a thought-provoking article.
- Mr. Zhao stated as follows:
- "In watching the movie, "Ip Man" and after his grandson saw on the internet that a Chinese American in the United States claim to teach Wing Chun. :Actually it was a lot of nonsense that stated black flag is related to Shaolin Wing Chun. This is unofficial Chinese history and the Martial Arts community does not know, understand or understand the ulterior motive.
- I am a native of Shandong Province; my grandparents were killed by black flag bandit rebels. During this time the Japanese had invaded Manchuria and used black flag. Black flag was one of the five flag societies in Shandong Province. The five flags were Horse Thieves, robbers and killers, especially black flag was the most heinous. Black flag, the puppet of the Japanese, were the real traitors. Black flag helped the Japanese kill Chinese people and soldiers; this is all well documented in modern day Chinese history.
- Chinese martial arts are very popular abroad, but there are some ill-intentioned liars who dare tamper with history of foreign countries. It is said that the bandit gang of five flag was an underground organization for the anti-Manchurian, but it is the biggest lie! Black Flags is the name of bandits with hearts of black: for many Chinese patriots who were killed by Japanese devils and black flag. Now, to see such lies on the internet, is betrayal to give himself glory, it’s not right that this Chinese bastard in the United States spread nonsense, hypocrisy and pain. His behavior is that every Chinese who died was no different than the Japanese denying the Nanjing Massacre! What is the difference? For me this is the greatest insult in my life to the Chinese people! Is this our Chinese people's ignorance or nightmare ghost? We, Chinese, cannot be numb, stand up and expose traitors! Martial artist defend our dignity! “
Additionally, many historical claims of the Eng Chun Pai have been considered to be false or under dispute.[3] The involvement of Benny Meng in the Black Flag Wing Chun organization has drawn speculation that the Eng Chun system is a repackaging of his experience with the Moy Yat, Chu Sau Lei, Chi Sim, Traditional Wing Chun (TWC) and Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun families. The Hung Fa Yi association released an official statement in August 2010 stating that some of their material had appeared on 3rd party "Black Flag/Red Flag" websites.[4]
The Black Flag Eng Chun organization has released a video demonstration [5] which has been largely derided by the wing chun community[6] as being 5 ancestors boxing and not wing chun. As the Head of the USA Eng Chun organization, Lin Xian Fuk (aka Kenneth Lin, or Kenneth Salim) had previously been tied to a 5 ancestor boxing website it seems likely he is combining the two arts of Wing Chun and 5 Ancestor boxing (Ng Cho Kung Fu).[3]
The "Shaolin" connection of HKB Eng Chun was also refuted by their USA representative Lin Xiang Fuk:[7]
In May of 2011, Sifu Sergio Iadarola and his association the IWKA left the Eng Chun Kun association with the following letter:
Dear Sifu Lin,
After a long meditation, and long reflexions about our Kung Fu future we decided today to stop our learning of the Hek ki boen style. We took this decision based on the following reasons :
We wish you the best for your future projects but we and the rest of the Instructor Candidate Program members from the IWKA are leaving from this moment on your HEK KI BOEN family
Sincerely Sifu Sergio and Sifu Gerald Tur
In October 2011, Grandmaster Tio Tek Kwie, the first Instructor of Eng Chun Kun USA head Kenneth Lin released a video clarifying that their system is not Wing Chun Kuen, but instead the 18 Lo-Han kung fu system. [8]
In response to internet controversy, the HKB Organization has stated that the HKB system has a long rooted history as it went to the public (non secret society member) since around 1909. HKB was brought down to Indonesia by Kongco Tjia Fun Tjiao and since 1940. HKB was taught to the public by GM Kwee King Yang (pupil of Kongco Tjia Fun Tjiao) in Klimbungan, Indonesia .
Additionally the HKB Organization have stated that the their organization has a strong policy of avoiding politics, choosing instead to focus on developing its member skills and promote unity among the Martial Arts Community, as opposed to debating with critics. Therefore, there will never be a historical discussion regarding HKB lineage done by any HKB representative anywhere on the internet. On the HKB website, it has been stated inside their Lineage tree pages, as important disclaimer for those who think and feel differently [9]. HKB's history is based on the oral history passed down from Kongco Tjia Fun Tjiao to GGM Kwee King Yang and so on, kept as a tradition. Critics have continued to contend that this avoidance of the issues raised is an admission of guilt.
In July 2010, a translated article that was claimed to be from the newspaper "China News Express" appeared on several internet forums, the HKB organization has countered that "China News Express" is not a newspaper . The content of the article was considered nothing more than a slander attack toward HKB by the HKB organization. The HKB organization has cited the use of the language barrier, by using Chinese characters, as a tactic to make that article look like a newspaper article which it may not be.
The article and its proponents attempted to relate the mythical Black Flag lodge with Black Flag bandit group of Shangdong provice. Black Flag Lodge is supposedly from Fukien , and black flag bandit group was from Nanjing. The Tian Di Hui which the HKB organization claims the Black Flag lodge to be a part of, ended around 1910 when China became a republic. The HKB organizations considers the Black Flag lodge and black flag bandits as two totally different organizations, from different times and places.[9]
The criticisms toward HKB have also been disputed by one of Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk students, Benjamin Blalock, who had the opportunity not only to witness the existence of HKB Family in Indonesia and experience the HKB training back home, but also had a chance to touch hand with two members of the Grandmaster council.[10]
In addition, an article from the local newspaper in Indonesia, Jawa Post-Radar Bromo was submitted into Press Release Log.[11]
Additionally, on December 2010, the grandmaster council of HKB in Indonesia had called a meeting as they are aware of some disputed historical claims on the internet. GM The Kang Hay of HKB, one of Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk's main sifu had issued an official statement as clarification and confirmation of HKB oral history. This video is about to be released in the public in February 2011. During the video, GM The had clarified that 1. HKB system that Sifu Lin Xiang Fuk teaches, is not something recently made and still original. 2. HKB had come from the past, existed before GM The even become a student. 3. HKB came from his Sifu, GM Kwee King Yang, who learned it from Tjia Fun Tjiao. 4. Advise all HKB members worldwide, not to follow the footstep of the slander that run their useless mouth, HKB organization is not interested in politic.
Sifu Lin, in the beginning of the same video, also took part of wishing everyone a happy new year in 2011 and share the current success of HKB mission in 4 continents. Also, where he took the opportunity to give recognition to all HKB members and leaders who have contributed their time, effort and resource to assist the spreading of HKB. Lastly, he also gave thanks to the slanders's effor for what's they'd done was only giving an opportunity for the people to discover the truth themselve about HKB and as a result, HKB is now officially spread in 13 countries (2011); .[12] .[13] .[14] .[15] .[16]
This represents the VTM's current view of Wing Chun's evolution presented with 6 primary conclusions:
1. For research purposes, the VTM recognizes five stages of Wing Chun's development from the system's origin: Shaolin, Opera, Canton, Hong Kong and International. These five designations are used for general discussion, comparison, and contrast of various Wing Chun lineages in terms of origin legends/myths, system principles, training methods, technical choreography and the like. The five designations should not be understood or used to make comparisons of "better" or "superior" as each Wing Chun family is the result of various influences and has survived to our modern era based on the effectiveness and efficiency of the system, adapted to various situations and people.[17]
2. The original Shaolin Wing Chun, which contains at least the core forms of Siu Nim Tau, Chum Kiu, and Biu Ji, Wooden Dummy, Pole and the knives include Fukien Hek Ki Boen Eng Chun (Black Flag Wing Chun - Eng Chun is the Fukienese pronunciation of 'Wing Chun'). Black Flag Wing Chun systems represent the essence of Southern Shaolin Martial Arts.[17]
3. Shaolin Hek Ki Boen Wing Chun is a system based on the Principle of Time/Space, Energy and the concepts of Heaven Earth Human which makes it both a complete combat system and a personal cultivation system.[17]
4. Shaolin Hek Ki Boen Wing Chun is a representation of Maximum Efficiency, which is the point or state where nothing can be added or subtracted without losing efficiency. Maximum Efficiency is the result of experience and state of being rather than a style of martial arts, personality or a basic skill set. Maximum Efficiency is built upon a solid foundation with practical fighting skill in all ranges of combat and is, therefore, not meant for inexperienced students or to be treated as a style [17]
5. Shaolin Hek Ki Boen Wing Chun is an expression of Chan Buddhism.[17]
6. In the many centuries since the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple, the original Shaolin Hek Ki Boen Wing Chun system is still well-preserved and intact today. The history of the secret societies and their connection to Wing Chun during the Ming/Qing transition was not widely known, which resulted in various terms such as 'Ng Mui' and 'Yim Wing Chun' being attributed to specific, fictional people rather than to concepts contained within the system itself. As more research comes to light, there are those within the Wing Chun community that profess to prefer the myths and legends rather than promote the actual history. The VTM will continue its mission to educate the martial arts community in general and the Wing Chun community specifically about the actual origins of the system, as more nformation continues to come to light. Any information intentionally attempting to continue the myths and legends without making it clear the actual research will be challenged whenever possible.[17]
First, this is the first and the only statement made from HKB Eng Chun Pai regarding Sifu Sergio Iadarola of the IWKA.
We would like to say we are grateful for all the contributions and support made by Sifu Sergio to promote HKB while a member of HKB. When Sifu Sergio visited HKB headquarters for the first time in the USA, after experiencing HKB, he expressed his interest in learning HKB and how much he could help spread and promote HKB through the IWKA. He stated during the interview, he felt HKB was the path he wanted the IWKA to follow and that the IWKA contained 20,000 members in 93 countries.
Later, after long consideration, we came to the conclusion that HKB was not suitable for IWKA and that there was a conflict of interest. The reason is that if we had followed Sifu Sergio's original idea to convert IKWKA into HKB, we felt this would not be fair to the previous systems he currently promotes in his organization. We wanted to spread HKB but not at the cost of damaging the preservation of the other lineages he promotes in the process.
Sifu Lin also appreciates the efforts Sifu Sergio makes going around from one Sifu to another Sifu from different lineages/systems to learn their system, so he can preserve them based on what he learned through the IWKA for the future generations. Although Sifu Lin appreciates the idea and the efforts made, Sifu Lin’s personal belief is that to preserve a system, it takes time to learn the system. Moreover,in this case, HKB takes a lifetime to fully understand in completeness so that it can be preserved. There's nothing wrong learning other systems to expand personal horizons, but when it comes to preserving it, sometimes even a lifetime is still not enough to understand in completeness.
On May 2, 2011, Sifu Lin went to Indonesia as requested by one of his Sifu, GM The Kang Hay, the legitimate current lineage holder of HKB who learned the system from his Grandfather, GM Kwee King Yang.
During this trip, Sifu Lin was advised and corrected by GM The Kang Hay along with other elders regarding his decision in accepting Sifu Sergio previously for the reason that HKB doesn't want to damage/convert other lineages/systems.
During the meeting, as Sifu Lin with the elders discussed some of the future plans to spread and preserve HKB, including the upcoming Seminar and Workshop with GM The Kang Hay in Fredericksburg, VA USA on May 21 & 22, the concern regarding Sifu Sergio was also discussed.
The decision that was made by the elders was to let Sifu Sergio leave the HKB organization so that he may preserve the many systems he promotes. We wish all the best and success for IWKA in the future.
On the personal level, Sifu Lin also wants to state that it was always his hope this decision would not effect his personal friendship and the past teacher/student relationship with Sifu Sergio. Sifu Lin always welcomes him as a friend and is proud of his development of skill having certified as a first level instructor.
Regards,
HKB Council [18]
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