Ie Chang Ming

            GREAT GRAND MASTER IE CHANG MING  (1880-1976)

Ie Chang Ming was born in 1880. He was a contemporary of Tai Chi masters Yang Cheng Fu, Yang Shao Hao, Chen Wei Ming, Tung Ying Chieh & Fu Zhong Wen. He was admitted to the Fukien Temple as a small boy. Like Su Kong, Ie Chang Ming poured all of his time and energy into the martial arts training, especially the Golden Snake style. Tied hand and foot, he could evade spear thrusts by twisting and turning like a snake. He could also wrap his body around a pole climb it, like a snake on a vine. Ie Chang Ming inherited the immense body of Shaolin forms, techniques and training as master at Fukien Temple under Su Kong Tai Jin. Ie Chang Ming (1880-1976) A young Fukien monk followed Master Su Kong Tai Djin into the Fukien mountains. His name was Ie Chang Ming. He had been so impressed by Master Su Kong Tai Djin's abilities that he wished to study under Master Su Kong Tai Djin. Ie Chang Ming studied and learned all that Master Su Kong Tai Djin had to offer until his passing. Master Ie Chang Ming became the second grandmaster of the Shao Lin system. Master Su Kong Tai Djin passed on his title to Master Ie Chang Ming before his death in 1928. Unlike Master Su Kong Tai Djin, Master Ie Chang Ming occasionally ventured into society. He still remained isolated and tried to avoid people. At this point in time, China was in a state turmoil. The Qing Dynasty had collapsed and China was controlled by warlords and local militias. One day, Ie Chang Ming decided to take a short cut through the local army campground because the campground looked deserted. A sentry stopped Master Ie Chang Ming, and a number of soldiers surrounded him. The soldiers proceeded to harass and taunt Master Ie Chang Ming. Master Ie Chang Ming submitted to much harassment and humiliation, but he finally broke when asked to lick the muddy shoes of a soldier. Master Ie Chang Ming killed eleven soldiers and escaped the campground. With a price on his head, Master Ie Chang Ming fled to Indonesia.  He received the Grand Master title from Su Kong after the burning of the last Temple. Ie Chang Ming left China and settled in Bandung, Indonesia, then a Dutch colony, where he began to teach the Shaolin Art. Master Ie Chang Ming wished to continue the Shao Lin tradition, and opened a school in Indonesia

Grandmaster Ie's extensive knowledge, sensitivity, and martial skill was complemented by great personal strength and concentration. For example he trained wearing a weight vest (equal to his body weight!), and used a 90 lb.  Kwan Tao and iron staff for iron shin and forearm training.

 In Indonesia a law was passed prohibiting the teaching of Chinese Martial Arts. Grand Master Ie circumvented this law by adopting many of the trappings of the Japanese styles of martial arts. He changed the name from Shaolin to Shaolin-do. He changed the uniforms from the classical Chinese styles to the Japanese karate-do gi's. He also used Japanese belts instead of the Chinese sash and instituted a ranking system similar to the Japanese . The changes, although cosmetic, were enough for the authorities and he was allowed to continue to teach. Studying with him was Master Liu Su Peng died in 1978, Je Jou  Fu originally from Northern China who settled in Java, and Qui Kwong, who is still  living in Bandung.

It was not easy to become a student of Grand Master Ie. There was a long waiting line and each prospective student had to prove their worthiness to receive training from him. Although no one knew it at the time, Grand Master Ie's exile was important to the preservation of the Shaolin Art. His rigorous training standards and teaching maintained the true tradition of Shaolin. Yet, his flexibility, in modifying the outward trappings of the art, ensured that Shaolin-Do would not be lost. Grandmaster Sin The' is the receptacle of Ie Chang Ming's profound teaching.