Choy Li Fut Lineage - Lau Bun - Page One

Lau Bun (1891-1967), was born in Toi San, Guangdong Province of Southern China. When he was young, he studied a number of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu systems such as Hung Gar, Mok Gar, and Fut Gar etc. His father was in California at that time, therefore his family did quite well financially. He could afford to hire the famous Choy Li Fut master Yuen Hai from Fut San to give him private instructions. He also studied the Shaolin Five Animal Form from Yuen Hai's second wife who was also a highly skilled kung fu master who originally came from Fukin Province. He loved Chinese broadsword fighting techniques; his nickname was "Don-Do Bun". After Yuen Hai passed away, he became his successor.

The situation in China in 1930 didn't offer many opportunities for an educated and skilled youth such as Lau Bun. China, at that time, was suffering the earthquakes of political and social uncertainty in that they were being dominated by foreign powers which introduced opium to China. Opium became a method of payment for Chinese towns to protect themselves from warlords. While the Ching Dynasty crumbled warlords took control all over China until finally Chang Kai Chek consolidated power and united the warlords under his control. The only escape from this dangerous environment was to immigrate to other countries; one destination was America, where, at that time, many immigrated in order to participate in the construction of the railroads; in this way cities like San Francisco saw a spectacular immigration explosion. American authorities began to enforce strict controls on this growing population.

For Lau Bun the options offered to him in this country were important and he arrived in the United States like many other immigrants crossing the border from Mexico and taking the name of Wong On. He took this new name because it allowed him to avoid deportation - he was recognized as the son of a legal resident in order to reside in America.

The Chinese community in San Francisco is very close-knit with their countrymen and he took refuge there. He quickly prepared himself to serve the community in the only way that he knew: Traditional Chinese Medicine. Lau Bun was an exceptional herbalist and knew the treatments for pain as well as for trauma. His years of Choy Li Fut practice had trained him well in the secrets of Dit-Da herbs, accu-pressure massage, and other Traditional Chinese medical techniques.

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