Wah Lum Kung Fu of the U.S.A. was started by Grandmaster Chan Pui in Boston’s Chinatown over 50 years ago. He was one of the first martial artist instructors to place a great importance on diversity and to open his school to all who would be willing to work hard to master the art. Since 1984, the Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association has been operating in Boston’s Chinatown under the leadership of Sifu Bob Rosen, a 7th generation disciple of Grandmaster Chan.
What is Kung Fu?
The translation of “Kung Fu” is literally “hard work” and “time”. It further implies that a high level of skill is attainable, but only through diligent training over a long period of time. In America and other western societies, the term has also come to represent the hundreds of Chinese martial arts system as a whole. Many of these systems have been in existence for thousands of years. The proven benefits of practicing Kung Fu over the long term include strengthening mind & body, being able to protect oneself, gaining the knowledge of traditional weapons usage, understanding eastern culture & philosophy, and learning about Chinese herbal medicine.
History of Wah Lum
Master Wong Long created the northern praying mantis system over 380 years ago in the Shandong province of China. Over time, several branches of this system emerged.
In the early 1900’s an already accomplished martial artist by the name of Lee Kwan Shan entered into the Wah Lum Monastery in Shantung province. There he committed himself to an arduous ten year discipleship in the Praying Mantis system. His teacher, Abbot Ching Yeung, was the fourth generation of the original Praying Mantis system. When Master Lee left the temple he traveled widely, eventually settling down at Shajing village in Canton province. It was here that he combined the Praying Mantis style he learned at the Wah Lum Monastery with his own family system, the Tam Tui (seeking leg) style. Lee Kwan Shan’s style was noted for his long fist forms, spear and pole techniques, and whirling broadsword skills. Before his death in 1948 Lee accepted his youngest and last disciple, Pui Chan.
Master Chan Pui, has since brought the Wah Lum system to America, where it has flourished for over 50 years. The Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association has been located in the Boston area since 1970. In 1984, Master Chan commissioned Sifu Bob Rosen to continue the proud tradition of teaching the Wah Lum system in Boston’s Chinatown, and Sifu Rosen has since developed a school of first-rate instructors and students, as well as national & international champions.
Wah Lum Tam Tui’s Grandmasters Past and Present
Lee Kwan Shan – Deceased 1948
Fifth Generation Successor of the Northern Praying Mantis System
Lee Kwan Shan was the originator of the Wah Lum System. His real name is Yuk Tong, meaning “Jade Mountain”. He learned the praying Mantis System from Ching Yeung, the Abbot of the Wah Lum Temple in Shantung Province in China. He took in young Pui Chan as his last disciple of the system.
Chan Wan Ching – Deceased August 1975
Sixth Generation Successor of the Northern Praying Mantis System
Mr. Chan Wan Ching was Master P. Chan’s older Kung Fu brother, who continued to teach him the Wah Lum System after Lee Kwan Shan died. He was the first president of the Hong Kong Wah Lum Kung Fu Association.
Grand Master Pui Chan
Sixth Generation Successor of the Northern Praying Mantis System
Master Pui Chan introduced the Wah Lum System to the United States and is currently the only master in the U.S. teaching this system. He is the 6th generation successor of the Northern Praying Mantis System and 33rd generation successor of the Shaolin Temple, China. In addition to being a disciple of Grandmaster Lee Kwan Shan, he has studied under several masters of the style. Having given many exciting demonstrations throughout the United States, appearing on television, in newspapers and in martial arts magazines, his skills and knowledge are highly respected by martial artists and masters worldwide.