Every October – contact us for details
FRIDAY NIGHT CEREMONY
Ku cha Yishi
苦茶儀式
Rights of the bitter tea
Lama Zurdwang founder of the Daoqiquan arts was born October 3rd in the year 1530. It was he who created the concepts later to become know as Daoqiquan, the five circles, six stances and four virtues were his founding principles. Lama Zurdwang’s principles were evolved over hundreds of years and applied by Li family masters as a way to understanding core concept martial art methods practiced by the Li clan, namely Taijiquan, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. Zurdwang also passed down his own martial skills derived from his principles in the form of Tibetan Snake Boxing and Tibetan Blue Heron Boxing. We owe this great master a debt of gratitude for passing on these amazing arts.
Our commemoration program Ku cha Yishi (苦茶儀式), rights of the bitter tea is held on Friday night. Ku cha Yishi begins the celebration of Founders Day to honor the gift of Lama Zurdwang, the Li family and the opening of the first American school of Daoqiquan. That was the Kung Fu Tao Training center opened in 1973 by Dr. John Painter.
For the ceremonies students bring to the Wu Guan (武館), school a cut flower and Hong Bao (紅包), red envelope containing a small monetary offering to place on the Gongzhou (供桌), ancestors place in honor of the founder and the lineage of masters who have passed down these arts to us over hundreds of years.
Flowers and Hong Bao can be brought to the Wu Guan starting seven days before and up to the ceremony date If a student is away from home or cannot attend the ceremony he or she should write to the head Shifu of the Wu Guan and mail a Hong Bao to be placed on the Gongzhou as a sign of respect for the founder’s day tradition.
Ku cha Yishi begins with the Shifu of the Wu Guan entering in formal Changpao (長袍), long robes carrying ceremonial Daoist Swords. The program begins with an explanation of the origins and history of the Li family arts and its lineage holders beginning with Lama Zurdwang to the present day. It also includes the rite of the “Flowers and Bitter Tea” to remind all students of their obligations to life, family and the arts. Following the ceremony students and instructor recognitions for outstanding achievements in the Daoqiquan arts and service to the school will be presented by the head Shifu. Following the ceremony there is an informal dinner in a local Chinese or Indian restaurant open to all who would like to attend.
Every sincere student of the Li family arts should do his or her best to attend in person the inspirational and moving ceremony of Ku cha Yishi each year as a sign of respect to the founders of this great art. Please join us this year as we celebrate Founders Day at the Wu Guan.
IAM Co. PO BOX 13858, ARLINGTON TX 76094
FAX 817-460-5125 – OFFICE 817-860-0129
Thegompa@aol.com
2018 Workshops
Dingxin Gong 定心功
Centering Mind Body & Spirit
The Gompa instructors and I will take you on a journey that covers Li family concepts of Centering for use in everyday life and martial arts. The goal is to learn how to be mentally and physically centered and in the moment during even the most challenging of times emotionally or physically. This program has implications for improving health and longevity as well as martial prowess. It will be experienced through a series of both mental and physical exercised designed to aid you in understanding what and how Dingxin Gong can aid you in mind body and spirit.
Dingxin Gong covers these subjects and more:
☯ Your Mind Friend or Enemy the practical concepts of
Li family philosophy
☯ Quiet Sitting to find the source of stress in your life
☯ Meditation methods to forge a gentle but powerful
feeling of peace and calm
☯ Yi and the Concept of Centering Physical and mental
skills for a firm base
☯ Standing Post to develop a mental and physical
equilibrium under all circumstances
☯ Practical Mental and Physical Exercises to understand
what the now moment really means
This knowledge when correctly applied can change your life, improve your health and keep you safe in traumatic physical or mental situations.
Founders Day Weapon Training Tie-Zheshan 鐵 折扇 / The Iron War Fan
The iron fan is an ancient weapon with modern urban combat applications. This is not a fancy dance form, but a historical look at the actual use of the Chinese iron fan in self-defense. The Iron or even a bamboo fan can be used by men and women alike for self-protection.
The Chinese Iron Fan was a formidable weapon that could even be used to throw sharpened coins or darts. Today it is used to strike neutralize strikes, kicks and grabs, hit pressure points or lock joints and take an attacker down. Students who learn Chinese iron fan can also make use of a short stick, pen or even a pencil using fan tactics for self-defense applications.
(Student must supply practice weapon of metal or wood)
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Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Students Welcome
Founders Day Program times
Friday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm / Bitter Tea Ceremony 7:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 5:30 pm: 7:00 pm Group Banquet
Sunday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Program ends
Cost for both FD Programs
$150.00 for certified instructors of Li family arts
$175.00 for Gompa and Study Group Students
$200.00 non-students and guests.
Very limited enrollment spaces will fill up fast so register today!
Special Post Founders Day Training Dragon Rolling the Pearl Self-Defense Applications
October 8th through 10th
Train with Shifu Robert Castaldo in practical applications he has 30 yrs. experience in Jiulong Baguazhang and is a member of the American Ranges Tactical Police Training Institute. Shifu Castaldo will show you how to hone your skills in Dragon Rolling the Pearl applications of Jiulong Baguazhang. This is material from level four Dragon Rolling The Pearl course, but we are opening this to all students for this one time only. The class will be featuring traditional and modern self-defense applications. to gain the skills of realistic no-nonsense whole body power Zhengti-jin 整體勁 techniques.
Don’t miss this very reasonably priced program
Cost: Only $324.00 for all 3 Days
Open To All Students of Jiulong Baguazhang
Register here. You will then be redirected to a payment options page to select PayPal (also for credit card) or arrange payment.