What is Buddha Hand Wing Chun?

This Cantonese Wing Chun (Yong Chun) was brought to the United States by Grandmaster Henry Leung in 1961. To honor his late teacher, Buddhist Abbot Hsu Yun (also kown as "Gao Ghi Fut Sao"), Grandmaster Leung renamed the system Buddha Hand Wing Chun (Fut SaoYong Chun). It contains the aggressive, sticky, springy power for which all Wing Chun is known, and the soft, internal components usually associated with systems such as Hsing I or Ba Gua.

Fut sau was the inner Gate system taught to the inside Abbots whom intergrated its concepts with the five elder surviving arts. The art was originaly known as Gu Yee Chuna or Ancient Chivalrous Fist. WC was propagaged through five distinct styles: Buddhis, Buddhist, Royal Family, Red Boat, and Ancient which has been lost.

Empty Hand Forms:

Fut Sao Yong Chun Kuen has four empty-hand forms. Each form, while teaching the correct shapes and combinations of movements for fighting application, also trains the body to circulate its vital energy, or chi, in different ways. Chi circulation has great value for wellness and martial power.

Hei Gung:

Though all of the empty-hand and weapons forms already incorporate internal training, Fut Sao Yong Chun also includes its own Hei Gung set. The purpose of the set is to enhance chi circulation, as well as to develop light skills.

Wooden Dummy Training:

The culmination of the individual student's empty-hand training is the Mook Yahn Jong (Wooden Dummy) form. This form is practiced on a wooden training apparatus to allow the student to apply techniques with springy ging power.

Weapons Training:

The weapons training, including the Lukh Dim Bun Gwan (Six and a half point pole) and Baat Jam Do (Butterfly Knives), is excellent for its martial application and helps the students develop chi power.

vagabond weapons :

  • Fan
  • Flute
  • Double Dagger
  • Flying Meteor Balls
  • Turtle Darts
  • Iron Monkey Ring
  • Chop Sticks
  • Star Coins
  • Snake Entanglement Rope

Two-Person Fighting Drills and Forms:

Some Branchs of Fut Sao Yong Chun contain unique two-person training exercises to enhance students' fighting skills by improving their speed, timing, power and sensitivity, and by helping them be at ease with a fighting situation. It is believed the idea for 2 man sets came from the possible integration of Southern Praying Mantis 2 man-sets.

In addition, two-person versions of the empty-hand forms allow students to become more familiar and comfortable with fighting applications from the forms in fast-paced, close range fighting simulation.

Bridging, striking, point attacks, footwork and chin na -- all components of the empty-hand forms -- may be practiced in the two-person forms and training exercises

Sources:

  • AWCKRI
  • Oral and written tradition Henry Leung
  • Written tradition Michael Mc Ilwrath