The Legacy of Chiu Cheung-Leun

Honoring a Seven Star Praying Mantis Pioneer
by Peter Y. Chen

In April of 2002, a quiet event took place in New York City?s Chinatown. Without much fanfare or publicity, a small group of Gung Fu practitioners from various backgrounds and locales came together to honor the legacy of Master Chiu Leun, a man notably responsible for the cultivation and proliferation of the Seven Star Praying Mantis system in the United States.

Chiu Cheung-Leun was born on the 5th of May, 1927 in Toisan County (Guangdong Province), where he began his study of the Mantis system under a group of monks from the Yip Ming Duk Ji. Later in Hong Kong, Chiu Leun sought instruction under his uncle Chiu Chi-Man, who had already widely established his own fame and reputation as a Master of Eagle Claw and Seven Star Praying Mantis. Under the tutelage of Chiu Chi-Man, Chiu Leun flourished and became one of his Sifu?s most favorite disciples. When he came to NYC?s Chinatown in the 1960s, Chiu Leun bore with him a flag presented to him from his Sifu, recognizing Chiu Leun as the representative of the American Branch of the Seven Star Praying Mantis System. During his time in New York, Chiu Leun shared and cultivated the Seven Star system with his students and disciples; in addition, he continued his own training in Hong Kong (with his Sifu Chiu Chi-Man) and in China (with the monks of Yip Ming Duk Ji). Chiu Leun retired in 1983, yet because of his diligence and instruction, the Seven Star Praying Mantis System is not confined to the boundaries of NYC?s Chinatown; the legacy of Grandmaster Chiu Leun has spread throughout North America, most notably through his recognized disciples: Ho Chiyu, Cheung Wah, Stanley Moy, Nathan Chukueke, Raymond Nelson, Stephen Hunter Laurette, Franklyn Saulters, Carl A. Albright and Raymond Fogg

And that is why this group had come to New York on this night in April. Because of the wisdom and teachings passed on unselfishly from Master Chiu Leun, many students, including disciples, grand-students, and great-grand students from various schools from all over the United States were present to pay their respects to the man who had made their studies possible. It was an interesting night in terms of modern Martial Arts meetings. There was the traditional dinner and demonstrations of hand and weapons forms, concluding with the opportunity for all who were present to pay their individual respects to Master Chiu Leun. But amidst all the activities of the evening, there was no bickering over ?correctness? of forms or methods, no arrogance or boasting, no factions or rivalries among different schools; it was a night representative of the teachings and legacy of Chiu Leun and the principles of Gung Fu, too often forgotten in these modern times: respect and humbleness amidst great ability and talent.

Written by Peter Y. Chen for KUNGFUMAGAZINE.COM

Print Friendly Version of This Article