History teaches us where we came from and helps us understand who we are today, and where we are going tomorrow. The following is a short synopsis of Pai Lum Tao history.

History of Martial Arts
Pai Lum history begins with the history of Chinese fighting arts, which are surrounded by much mystery and controversy. It is generally believed that monks of Shaolin Ssu popularized it.

The teachings of Pai Lum Tao tell us that the Kung Fu - Chuan Fa- Kenpo practiced by the monks of Shaolin Ssu was not just a martial art but a way of life held in the highest level of standards. The daily routines were practiced to unify the energies of body and mind. Kung Fu was not invented by monks as a means of self defense, it was a form of self preservation through synchronized exercise routines such as Shi Pa Lo Han Sho. Kung Fu eventually became a balance of physical exercise, spiritual training, and a time tested method for one's combative defense for self and others. It became famous as Shaolin Chuan.

With the banning of weapons in China by the government the practice of this lethal fighting system grew in demand. It quickly spread through out China on various names.

In A.D. 574 the Shaolin temple was destroyed by armies of Emperor Wu Ti, it was rebuilt during the Sui Dynasty (586 - 618). The result was underground practice and spread of Shaolin Chuan through out China. Kung Fu would continue to be tested during the many uprisings against suppression of the Mongol, Ming and Manchu Dynasties.

Founder of Pai Lum Tao
Po Fong was such a practitioner of a southern Shaolin Temple outside of Singapore. In 1924 he traveled to Hawaii with the dream of being able to give his family a better life using his vast martial arts knowledge. He later adopted the name Po Pai. He passed his teachings on to his grandson, Daniel K. Pai. His grandmother passed on to Daniel the white crane.

The Great Grandmaster
As a young boy, his grandfather sent Daniel K Pai to the White Lotus Monastery in Okinawa. After World War II, Daniel Pai went to work on the Parker Ranch on "the Big Island". During this time Daniel Pai and Ed Parker would work and train together. In the 1960's Pai brought his martial arts to the mainland and they spread across the nation. By the early seventies he had fifty plus Pai Lum and Fire Dragon schools in North America.

Grandmaster Glenn Wilson