Lama (martial Art) - Sing Lung

Sing Lung

Depending upon the lineage, the figure known as Sing Lung is rendered in Chinese characters as either "Sage Dragon" (聖龍) or "Star Dragon" (星龍). From a Buddhist point of view, the "Sage Dragon" (聖龍) makes more logical sense and the use of the character for "star" (星) can easily be explained by the long established tradition of "white characters" in Chinese society, i.e. the use of a simpler character with the same phonetic sound. Sing Lung also has an alias as Gam Ngau "Golden Hook" Leih Wu-Ji (Li Hu Ji) (金钩李胡子).

A number of legends regarding Sing Lung's exploits exist. Sing Lung first arrived in China at O-Mei Shan in Szechuan province. During his time there he became quite famous for his skill. Upon arrival on the Pearl River, Sing Lung was challenged by a pirate known as Cheung Po-Jai. Cheung was famous for robbing corrupt Qing Dynasty officials. After having defeated Cheung, Sing Lung accepted him as a student.

For a time, Sing Lung also taught Leung Kwan, known as "Tit Kiu Sam" (鐵橋三) or "Iron Bridge #3". "Tit Kiu Sam" is best known for his influences on the Southern Shaolin Hung Ga system and was also involved in revolutionary activities

Late in his life Sing Lung arrived in Guangdong Province, Southern China at the Ching Yun Jih "Blessed Cloud Monastery" (庆云寺) near the "Ding Wu" Mountain in 1865.

It was during this period of time that Sing Lung taught Chan Yam (陳蔭), Chou Heung-Yuen (周香遠), and Chu Chi-Yu (朱子堯). Chan Yam and Chou Heung-Yuen both died relatively young and apparently had few, if any, students worth noting. Chu Chi-Yu accepted only a few disciples and generally kept what he had learned concealed from the general public. Among his students were Chu Cheung, Lei Seung-Dong, and Chiu Dihk. These students continued to guard what they had learned very closely and only accept a few disciples. Chu Chi-Yu apparently also taught Nhg Siu-Chung for a period of time.

The two most important students from this time period are known as Wong Yan-Lam and Wong Lam-Hoi. Again, depending upon the tradition, the story has somewhat different variations. Among those lines descended from Wong Yan-Lam, it is said that originally Wong Lam-Hoi was Wong Yan-Lam's student. In those lines descended from Wong Lam-Hoi (principally Pak Hok Pai / Tibetan White Crane) he is described as a relative equal.

From Lo Wai Keung's book "Yau Jih Baat Gihk Kuen":

清代末叶，游方僧人金钩禅师，从四州省至广东肇庆鼎湖山庆云寺，将此拳传王隱林为了纪年其师，以金钩禅师有“大侠李胡子”之称，遂将他传留拳技命名侠拳. 王隱林当初技成下山，曾远赴陕西省一带，隱身镖局，广结四方英豪，为的是恢复大明江山，但始终未能如愿.晚年本落叶归根计，便返回广东. 其後在广州设馆教拳术，兼悬壶济也. 王隱林祖师武技高强，独树一帜於岭南，因而声名远播，成为广东武坛“拾虎＂之一.