![]()
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.
Sigung Steve Jungmann
From 1986 to 1993 Sigung Steve Jungmann trained in
one of those schools of Grandmaster Pai from . He was privileged to meet
and train under Grandmaster Pai briefly before the Grandmaster died. He
then trained in another Pai Lum family from 1994 to 2011 under Grandmaster
Wilson.
Sigung Steve has dedicated over 25 years to
learning and teaching the Pai Lum system throughout Wisconsin. He along
with his school have produced many black belts who opened their own
schools, world champions in international competition, demonstrations for
numerous organizations such as Summer Fest, Asian Fest and National Nite Out, as
well as conducted scores of safety seminars for the Milwaukee Police
Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation staff, and numerous community
organizations.
He along with his wife Melodie (2nd degree black belt) continue to bring the enjoyment, health and safety of
Pai Lum's White Dragon Kung Fu, White Lotus Kenpo, Pai Yang Tai Chi and Sanshou
Kickboxing to the great state of Wisconsin and surrounding states.

Students at Rising Dragon learn the 7
Ways of Cutting with the katana in 1995
Rising Dragon
Martial Arts � 3429 West Greenfield Avenue � Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215
414.383.7727 � info@risingdragonmartialarts.com