There are things more important than Kung Fu. Chu Shong Tin spent countless hours trying to pass on his skill to thousands of followers. I was fortunate to benefit from his inexhaustible patience and diligence in that regard, but looking back on more than thirty years of trying to understand just how he managed to make his Tan Sau or any other movement so damn perfect – I feel that the Kung Fu was almost a by-product. I learned, and often failed to learn, other things. CST has gone now, but still I am trying.
On my very first day in Chu Shong Tin’s Hong Kong school a student approached to pay his fees. The money was in an envelope. This exotic old school Chinese nuance, so much more Kung Fu than the credit card/cash register system I knew from Australia, delighted me. Chu Shong Tin opened the envelope. Just making sure that the student is not trying to pull a fast one and short change him I surmised. He counted the money and frowned. Now I was interested, had this student tried it on? Chu Shong Tin pulled a wad of notes out and handed it back waving his hand to say that it was too much. The student had wanted to pay extra and CST felt that his gift was too generous! Both Chu Shong Tin and his student taught me that respect and generosity far outweigh the value of money.
At the first World Wing Chun Conference Chu Shong Tin demonstrated his skill by managing to resist the force of two men, both maybe half his age and twice his weight, trying to push him backwards. As cameras flashed and the crowd roared in adulation various participants on the stage solemnly bowed in respect. Chu Shong Tin beamed and politely returned the bows before stepping forward to shake their hands, rousing the first from his reverential bow. At the moment that he was being lauded and acclaimed his first thought was to return relations to an equal and personal level. Many people may have missed this but it was one of the most charming displays of humility I have seen. Chu Shong Tin taught me how important it is to not take oneself too seriously and treat all people as equals.
At one of many banquets I attended with Chu Shong Tin I happened to be seated near enough to hear a conversation between CST and an employee of one his more commercially successful students – Jim Fung. The employee had a grudge against Fung and tried to draw Chu Shong Tin into criticising his student. This person asked “ What do you think of Sifus who spend all their time making money rather than concentrating on teaching their students?” CST deflected this clumsy ruse with the deftness of a politician and the wisdom of sage. He said, “For myself, I live a simple life and do not need much money. Therefore I am able to spend most of my time studying and teaching Wing Chun. This is good for the advancement of knowledge and quality in the system. Other Sifus may devote themselves to building their businesses. That is also helpful at it spreads awareness of the style and draws in more students. The more people who practice Wing Chun the better it is for our art. Both types of Sifu serve a purpose.” The lesson here was to think before one speaks and never descend to negativity or unhelpful criticism. Chu Shong Tin mastered this skill. In all the years I knew him I cannot recall him ever denigrating others. Because he could find positivity in any situation his contribution was always uplifting. I loved that about him and hope that one day I can absorb this particular lesson.
A few months before Chu Shong Tin passed I watched him on the CCTV as he travelled down the elevator from his apartment to his school. Unaware that he was being observed, he was engrossed in studying his wrist as he performed a Huen Sau. His long fingers prodded here and there as he flexed and repeated the movement. The lift arrived at the foyer and he looked up startled and smiled as he realised that he had not pressed the button of the floor that he meant to stop at. After sixty five years of constant study he was still absorbed. I learned that to follow a passion and be consumed by it can be a wonderful thing. He also taught me that these infatuations can last a lifetime.
Unfortunately wisdom is just as hard to attain as mastery of Kung Fu. Chu Shong Tin was an excellent guide towards these goals. I feel I have let him down on both counts, but because of his example – still, I am trying!
~ Mark Spence