General History
The Shaolin style Gao Can Mun Nam Pai Chuan has its roots and origins in the traditional martial arts practised by the Shaolin Monks of China over 2000 years ago. Though much of martial arts history could be told in the form of legends and stories of martial arts heroes, it is widely accepted that Shaolin Kung Fu was brought to China and Japan/Korea in the year 525AD by a travelling Buddhist monk known to the Chinese as 'Da-Moh' (Bodhidharma). He is credited with having taught kung fu to the monks in order to strengthen them for meditation and prayer. It is hard to believe that war-like nations like the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans did not possess a martial arts skill of their own.
The truth is probably that Da-Moh consolidated these skills and had the organisational ability to advocate it to his students. Through the years, the art has grown and developed into many diverse forms and schools but regardless of the style, they could all be traced back to Da-Mo (Bodhidharma). The Gao Can Mun Nam Pai Chuan tradition or style can trace its lineage far back to Great Grandmaster Hui Cheng of the Chek Chian Nan Hai Pooi Chee Temple in China. Master Hui was a direct descendant of the Southern Shaolin tradition taught by Buddhist monks in the tradition of Da-Mo. One of Master Hui Cheng's students was Grand Master Seh Koh San.
The system has been created by Sigung Lai, who teaches since July 1979 in London, England. The system counts many black belts who trains and spread the teachings of Sigung Lai throughout many centres in Europe, Asia et en Oceania.
