Master Lacey's response to the Choy Lay Fut Controversy

CHAPTER 3

BELIEFS, FACTS OR FICTION?

I will quote the remarks "Sisuk Howard" made in his recent e-mail to a fellow Chan Clan member (I presume it's sifu Howard Choy of the Sydney Choy Lay Fut school of Master Chan Yong Fa) and then answer it.

Quote: "Unbiased historical information is available. We can always double check the information given with county historical records (yuan-si) and by physical records. If a person is born in a certain place and at a certain time, we can always check by going there. The same applies to death."

He talks about "unbiased historical information" that is available. He's obviously talking about the "Chan Family records" of Chan Yong Fa's ancestors which is in his possession since Yong Fa is the "Keeper of The Style" of the Chan Family Choy Lay Fut. Since Howard is a loyal and senior student of Chan Yong Fa, I can understand the close bond he has with his sifu and the trust he has in him. What does the county historical records (yuan-Si) prove - the distinction between Truth and Fabrication? No one's disputing Chan Heung existed and that he was born and died on a certain date. What has that got to do with WHO is the True Originator of Choy Lay Fut martial arts and WHEN it was first developed? I will go into that later after I have cleared up some of the other issues first. Once youšve been through it carefully (the story on the Choy Lay Fut Hung Sing Martial Arts) it will help clarify your doubts about Chueng Hung Sing (Cheung Yim), his mentor (and 2nd martial arts teacher) the Ching Cho monk and the founding of the Futsan Hung Sing Gwoon by Cheung Hung Sing.

HISTORICAL "FICTIONAL" CHARACTERS - ARE THEY JUST A MYTH?

To begin from the proper perspective, we must admit the truth, and that is ­ NONE OF US ARE HISTORIANS OR ARCHAEOLOGISTS and that includes people from the Chan Clan.

Whatever dates we have, had been passed down through generations. The date of Cheung Yim's birth and death had been on the ancestors tablets of the Singapore Hung Sing Gwoon's alter since it was established in 1965. Of the many visiting elders from Hong Kong, Macau and other regions who have visited the Hung Sing Gwoon and seen the ancestor's tablet, no one has disputed the authenticity of the dates recorded. If the dates were incorrect these visiting elders would have pointed it out!

Even if the dates were incorrect (which is not), does it make any difference to the historical aspect of Choy Lay Fut? There are a lot of historical dates (including those furnished by the Chan Family Choy Lay Fut people) that are arguable. Does anyone of us (historians and archaeologists included) really know the birth date of Genghis Khan or the first emperor Shih Huang Ti? Can any descendants of Chan Heung give us the birth date of Lay Yau Sarn and Choy Fook? If not, does that mean these persons didn't exist!? Many of the great events and figures in history lack "historical dates" - does that mean these were fictional characters? We commemorate the birthday of Kwan Kung, Jesus Christ and others but who is the authority who tells us that Kwan Kung or Jesus was actually born on such and such a date? The Bible records the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ but it has however never mentioned any DATES. 25th December is just a Commemorative Date just as Good Friday or Easter Sunday.

Did all these "lack of evidences" lead to doubts on the authenticity of the Bible? Was it just a matter of "faith"? The dates itself does not necessarily prove or disprove anything. Also, I like you to answer me this. Is Jesus, the Son of God white or black? You seem to have all the right answers and have all the evidences and proof, so tell me so I may be enlightened! I've seen pictures and statues of Jesus as a child and as an adult in a black American shop portraying Jesus as black. If you can prove it's a misconception (a favorite word used by some Chan Clan people to disclaim Cheung Yim's role in the development of Choy Lay Fut and accusing his followers of fabricating the story about the monk Ching Cho whom they say is a "fictitious" character) then why don't you all go to an "all black" Christian church and protest, and tell the congregation that "Jesus is white!"? Of course you wouldn't dare! Why? Because if you did, they will ask you -"who told you Jesus was white!?" and you will have a very angry and hostile mob jumping on top of you!!

MAYBE YOU CAN'T ANSWER THAT 'COS YOU'RE NOT A CHRISTIAN? WELL THEN, MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE US THE BIRTH DATE OF BUDDHA SINCE YOU SEEM TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!!

EVIDENCE AND PROOF
If evidences are based on true facts and true facts produces indisputable proof "beyond a reasonable doubt", then how come the public prosecutors failed to convict O.J. Simpson of murder?! They had plenty of incriminating "evidences" including DNA! That one piece of ingenious proof, the "shrunken" leather glove and the famous statement, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit!" by O.J.'s defense team sure proved "beyond a reasonable doubt" his innocence of the crime of murder charges against him! Therefore, if we must accept the JURY'S verdict of "Not Guilty", we must declare that "O.J. IS INNOCENT!" So just what did this case establish, "INNOCENCE or GUILT?" You keep harping about "evidence" and "proof" and about producing "birth and death certificates" to back up your claims to support the "historical records" of the CHAN FAMILY heritage of Chan Heung. You have portraits, Chan family photos, documents etc. If the Hung Sing Clan (of Cheung Hung Sing) produces a portrait of Cheung Hung Sing or even the monk Ching Cho, will it satisfy you, or will you automatically call it "a forgery"! Can you prove "beyond the doubt of suspicion" that Chan Heung's portrait is REAL?! With all the historical records in the possession of Chan Heung's direct descendants passed from one generation to the other since Chan Heung's death in 1875, how come his portrait was never shown till the early 1970's?!

Answer this, what stopped the Chan Clan from showing it to the Choy Lay Fut fraternity in the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's and 1960's!! Why the secrecy? How come it took the Chan Family 100 years (after Chan Heung's death) to uncover their great ancestor's portrait from the family's chest of "historical records" and suddenly in the early to mid 1970šs decided to show it to the world! Well, there's a logical answer for that! Give us your answer if you have one!


CHAPTER 4