Jou, Tsung-Hwa’s legacy belongs to all his students and friends who practice and beginners who will practice these wonderful methods. He made us think and question and inspired us to practice hard every day. The man who told us all, “Just strive to make a little progress!” is gone, and the sword returned to the lake, but his legend and legacy remain and will live as long as we remember his words and deeds in the hearts and minds of all he touched. He was a man who as Thoreau said, “Marched to the beat of a different drummer.” The Chinese martial arts world could use more like him.
Not all is lost however, as the work and message of Master Jou lives on through his books and senior Taijiquan students including Kathleen Cusick, Dr. Jay Dunbar, Richard Green, Bruce LaCarrubba, Sam Masich, Loretta Wollering, Yang, Jwing Ming, and among others, whose lives he touched and whose understanding of Taijiquan he improved. For him and his students it was and is all about putting aside petty grievances and learning to start sharing and caring with all. By honoring him and the of the spirit of the Farm, Master Jou’s dream will continue to shape the internal arts world far into the future! From those who knew you, we love and miss you Master Jou! Now let’s all go out and practice to make a little progress!
Won’t you please join us in The Master Plan?
Closing Ceremonies at the Farm
At the close of the Zhang San Feng Festival each year everyone gathered for a parade led by the Chinese Southern Lion dancers from Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming’s school. Behind the lion came dignitaries (special guests) carrying large photos of Zhang San Feng and banners with Chinese characters. They were followed by Master Jou and a long chain of teachers and students winding through the trails of the property like a great serpentine dragon.
The parade came to an end under the big tent in the East field where a Gongzhou (ancestor’s place / altar) replete with fruit and wine offerings, incense and Daoist artifacts was erected to honor Zhang San Feng the legendary founder of Taijiquan.
It was explained that this was not a religious ceremony but a way of making a promise, a self-commitment to improve one’s abilities in the Chinese arts of Taijiquan or whatever discipline one practices. Students and teachers were invited to come forward, place an incense stick in the brazier and make three Kowtows (bows) while mentally renewing their commitment to, as Master Jou would say, “Each day making a little progress.”
Here is a taste of the closing ceremonies for you to enjoy.
