Cult and occult in the martial arts

**fivecracked88** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 10:43am

I have recently been informed that a Kung fu school in London called Nam Pai Chuan and headed by Sifu Christopher Lai, practices "Blood Oaths". This is where a student is persuaded to ricite some garbage in a incensed smoked filled room, declaring undying loyalty to Sifu Lai and seniors and all ancestors. After this, they are required to sign a paper, prick their finger and leave a bloodied fingerprint next to their signature. This is usually only offered to students who is thought to be of above average ability, or who Lai deems may be useful to the school and himself in the future. This smells of cult-like behaviour to me! Though the participants of this BS may be (hopefully) all consenting adults, this kind of cult-like behaviour can be dangerous to the more the vunerable members of society. Let's face it there are many who start training in the martial arts because they feel vunerable and afraid.

If this is true, then this trash needs to be stopped now! There is no place for this kind of demi-god-like and manipulative behaviour in martial arts.

**Diesel_tke** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 10:53am

Sounds cool to me. I would do it. I'll talk to my coach about it tonight.

**erezb** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 10:54am

I saw something of a cult like loyelty in a gung fu place, they had hirarchy, who could be closest to the trainer . He shouted and threatened them if they did something wrong, the whole thing was very weird, i guess the trainer was this charismatic narcissist.
Any who yet another reason to hate Kung Fu.

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 10:57am

Originally Posted by fivecracked88

I have recently been informed that a Kung fu school in London called Nam Pai Chuan and headed by Sifu Christopher Lai, practices "Blood Oaths". This is where a student is persuaded to ricite some garbage in a incensed smoked filled room, declaring undying loyalty to Sifu Lai and seniors and all ancestors. After this, they are required to sign a paper, prick their finger and leave a bloodied fingerprint next to their signature. This is usually only offered to students who is thought to be of above average ability, or who Lai deems may be useful to the school and himself in the future. This smells of cult-like behaviour to me! Though the participants of this BS may be (hopefully) all consenting adults, this kind of cult-like behaviour can be dangerous to the more the vunerable members of society. Let's face it there are many who start training in the martial arts because they feel vunerable and afraid.

If this is true, then this trash needs to be stopped now! There is no place for this kind of demi-god-like and manipulative behaviour in martial arts.

You need to shut the **** up.

**fivecracked88** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 11:39am

Thanks for the reply.
But don't hate the style, there are good styles and teachers. This kind of thing happens in other styles of martial arts.

**fivecracked88** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 11:41am

Originally Posted by Bodhi108

You need to shut the **** up.

You need to grow-up...Prat!!

**Diesel_tke** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 12:35pm

Originally Posted by fivecracked88

I have recently been informed that a Kung fu school in London called Nam Pai Chuan and headed by Sifu Christopher Lai, practices "Blood Oaths". .

Have you actually witnessed this, or is this hearsay?

If this is true, then this trash needs to be stopped now! There is no place for this kind of demi-god-like and manipulative behaviour in martial arts.

And why do you care? And what is the evidence of manipulations that you speak of?

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 12:38pm

Originally Posted by fivecracked88

You need to grow-up...Prat!!

I'm not the one who went on a rage post in the OP about cultural practices of which I have absolutely no understanding.

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 1:16pm

Originally Posted by fivecracked88

a student is persuaded to ricite some garbage in a incensed smoked filled room, declaring undying loyalty to Sifu Lai and seniors and all ancestors.

And I thought I had it rough doing wide horse-stances for ten minutes at a time back in my Kung Fu days. Sifu never asked for blood; then again, maybe he didn't think I was above average ability. I never got the incense either; that Tiger Balm was awesome though.

**fivecracked88** · Posted On: 6/18/2012 1:24pm

[QUOTE=Diesel_tke;2697878]Have you actually witnessed this, or is this hearsay?

Yes I have witnessed it.

And why do you care? And what is the evidence of manipulations that you speak of?[/QUOTE

Why shouldn't I care?

Regarding manipulation...I'd rather not say just now.