I found this article on the only MMA Blog I read… Grapplemonkey.com If you guys haven’t been you should add it on your daily must reads. What’s up Ed where you at?
We’ve all seen Cane “Walk the Earth”, now here’s the real deal. Meet Phra Kru Ba Neua Chai. In Thai “Phra” is Monk and Kru is of course teacher. The full article is available here. It profiles the venerable Phra Kru Ba Neua Chai, who in his earlier life was a fighter.
It’s funny… in America and most of the western world there is this stereotype that Martial Artists (particularly veteran martial artists) are wise sages. I think it’s all the shitty episodes of Kung Fu I had to endure as kid that makes me think that. Most of the Nak Muay’s I’ve meet a far from wise…
Back in the day, Soldiers returning home would Buad Phra (Ordain), the Wat (temple) was the center of the community. Monk’s were almost always educated and literate. Monks who ordained straight from being soldiers would have been skilled at fighting. I’ve heard that the monks would teach fighting at the temples. I’ve heard this but I don’t actually know this to be true. I haven’t actually read anything factual that would would seal the deal for me.
My father has been a monk going on 13 years. I know there isn’t any fighting muay thai going on at his temple…
Big Thanks to Horc, for digging up this video of the Venerable Phra Kru. Anyway Phra Kru Ba Neua Chai sounds like he’s doing great work. His statement about Boxing as meditation really resonates with me. ““Boxing for me is meditation. It helps me find peace and stillness. It’s food for my mind, and when my mind is full, I feel free.” It’s one of the main reasons I love to train. When you’re really training, there’s nothing else out there. It’s just training, for the 20 -30 min. everything else takes a back seat. We live such hectic lives, it’s such a treat when you get to be so focused so singular in your intentions. Damn I miss training.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Horc // Mar 26, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I’ve read about this guy. In fact there’s a documentary on him call Buddha’s Lost Children. How he teaches the children is amazing.
2 Tong Po // Mar 27, 2008 at 9:25 am
He would destroy Kwai Chang Caine- and then tell him about fucking with cowboys and indians.
“He smiles when asked if cock fighting is a cruel sport. “They’re born warriors. They were born to fight and will fight regardless.”
Gameness to the end! (not condoning animal fighting)
3 Tong Po // Mar 27, 2008 at 9:26 am
Also, he is the embodiment of what the Westerners think of Martial Arts- wise, kind and baddass
4 Shadyeskimo // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:46 am
Sounds Interesting, Right NOW as i write i am watching a Documentary about The Burmese Junta and Thailand is also mentioned(OFF TOPIC) But I really didnt like the way The Kung Fu series was stolen From The Good Old Bruce. Never heard of this dude, but I would love to see The Documentary.
5 souvik // Mar 28, 2008 at 4:01 pm
“““Boxing for me is meditation. It helps me find peace and stillness. It’s food for my mind, and when my mind is full, I feel free.” It’s one of the main reasons I love to train. When you’re really training, there’s nothing else out there. It’s just training, for the 20 -30 min. everything else takes a back seat. We live such hectic lives, it’s such a treat when you get to be so focused so singular in your intentions.”
Wow, finally someone gets me! My training, especially when I’m in top form is somewhere on the borderline of meditation and trance, I’ve always felt. I’m probably the only guy in the gym who goes 100-150 consecutive middle kicks per set in my last hour, but nop, that’s what it is — somehow my mind disconnects or empties out while I’m kicking and I can just watch my mind and body go as a third person. Its a bizarre feeling. And then I come down all happy probably because of the dopamine release. Keeps me smiling like an idiot for at least the next few hours.
6 Horc // Mar 28, 2008 at 6:30 pm
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DzEaBvoj7bs
that’s the documentary/movie on this guy
7 Jason M Struck // Mar 29, 2008 at 8:50 am
I learned while training in China that seeking out ‘the mysticism’ was a sure fire way to not only never find it, but ensure that you never learn to fight either.
All the old Tai Chi masters and sage-like figures like that all started the same way; with some very simple hard style and a lot of fights. Later, they were able to contextualize the deeper messages that more sophisticated arts had to offer.
So it was with me; I went to China to find monks and tiger claw forms. I left taking dozens of beatings in the SAN DA ring, and I owe everything to the truth I found there.
Great blog!
8 Nathan // Mar 30, 2008 at 12:22 am
Regarding about whether muay thai is/has ever been taught in the temples, I think it is related to the image of modern Muay Thai.
I’m sure there are many retired Muay Thai champs that are monks now, but the fact that Muay Thai is used to make money (gambling etc) is against basic Buddhist monk principles. So I doubt that it would be allowed (but then again TIT).
Old school Muay Thai (e.g.Chaiya, Korrad, Lopburri styles) could be another matter tho, as it could be seen as cultivating/retaining a thai art, and was used to defend the nation.
As pure coincidence, I went back to training a few days ago (Muay Chaiya) and there were two Neyn (child monks) training, still fully robed! It was wierd watching them train robed up, kicking bags etc…
It surprised me at first (cos I thought that it was against Buddhist principles for monks to fight) but my teacher said that they can learn the moves and train, but they can’t fight (or spar). I’ll ask him this evening for the full story on this…
9 SE // Apr 7, 2008 at 5:59 pm
wow i HAVE to watch that
10 nopstar // Apr 8, 2008 at 2:03 am
Ashik-
Your mail keeps bouncing… send me another email…
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