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October/November 2002
Message from Master Eric Sbarge
Director and Head Instructor
Our new cultural center is up and running and the first order of
business is to sincerely thank all of you who worked so hard to
make it happen.
The first thanks go to those of you who so
generously opened your pockets to make loans and donations to
help finance the construction of The Peaceful Dragon.
The next thanks go to those of you who helped hold the fort at the old
Peaceful Dragon while the new center was under construction. I
know it was a huge burden but you all did a great job.
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Finally, thanks to so many of you who contributed your time, brain power
and muscle power to construct our new building. The results
clearly show the effort you made and I think the results far
exceed any of our expectations.
Our new cultural center is definitely a work in progress. There
is much we hope to accomplish, including building new indoor and
outdoor training equipment; creating new classes and programs;
working more closely with community charities and organizations;
creating outdoor gardens and meditation areas, and much more ... but
of course, one step at a time.
What's the next step? Get back to classes regularly to refocus
our energy on improving health, peace of mind and
self-improvement through the cultivation of chi and adherence to
the Tao. Of course, our training never really stopped during the
five months of construction: we trained to improve our
discipline, fortitude and commitment to see a difficult project
through.
But few things can compare with the actual practice of
martial arts, yoga and meditation to attain true health, inner
peace and satisfaction, so our focus must shift back to regular
classes and daily personal practice.
It's hard to get back into
things full swing ... you simply must make yourself do so. Every day
wasted is just that - a day wasted.
See you in class!
Special Announcements
The opening was graced by the historic presence of five masters: from left,
Master Phil Sant, Master Chris Peck, Master Guolin, Grandmaster DeMaria, Master Eric Sbarge
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Grand Opening Festival & Workshop Outstanding Success
The parking lot was jammed as people came to acquaint themselves
with the new Peaceful Dragon and there were many familiar faces
not seen in a while. Many new students signed up. Exhibitors had
the best crowd ever and were still talking to folks at the end of
the day. Demonstrations - especially the shaolin techniques
were the best in memory and well-received.
The restaurant and tea
house were continuously filled with customers. It was a very
exciting and satisfying day. Thanks to everyone who volunteered
to set up, clean up, coordinate presentations and demos, and
thanks to everyone who participated in making all the activities
of this special day such a success.
Despite an initial slump
following the early anticipation, business has again begun to
increase and become fairly steady and classes are beginning to
fill. More growth is needed and it will come.
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Grandmaster congratulates Master Sbarge with a hug.
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The challenging workshop presented by Fa Shi Guolin and
Grandmaster DeMaria, with excellent support from Masters Chris
Peck and Phil Sant, was an unqualified success combined with a
ribbon cutting ceremony and the introduction of another superior
Chang form. Many students will recall the dynamic and beautiful
fan form taught by Grandmaster during his last visit. This time
he brought to us a taiji staff form modeled exactly on Great
Grandmaster Chang's taiji form and infused with his spirit - a
form that amply demonstrates Grandmaster's tremendous skills and
love for his teacher and father.
As if this were not enough, 34th
generation Shaolin monk Guolin taught powerful drills and a
qigong not shown to the public which were guaranteed to increase
power and qi with diligent practice. There was not enough time to
finish the Yi Jin Jing qigong, a form popular in China and widely
regarded there as one of the pre-eminent high level qigong.
A tape of Yi Jin Jing is available from Venerable Shi Guolin's
website http://www.shaolin-overseas.org/
for $40 plus shipping and handling. Grandmaster DeMaria has been extremely generous in
sharing his knowledge and has made access to the new taiji staff
form even greater by providing a detailed video and instruction
booklet for $50. Also, a signed portrait of the five masters
pictured above are available at The Peaceful Dragon for $10.
All of the proceeds from the sale of these items
are going to The Peaceful Dragon.
Workshops and Events
CACMA Tournament November 16
CACMA, The Carolina Association of Chinese Martial Arts, presents
the 7th Annual Fall Classics Kung Fu Tournament in the Year of
the Horse, hosted by the Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy of Mooresville.
Registration is $50 whether you register early or wait until the
day of the tournament. Part of the proceeds is being donated to
SACC, Structured Athletics for Challenged Children. Tournament
information and rules are posted in Studio A. See George for
applications, or go to the Hung Gar website,
http://hgkfa.tripod.com/hgkfa.htm and click on the Events button.
This site also contains good links to other schools in the area.
All students are encouraged to attend the tournament whether you
compete or not, as it is an excellent opportunity to evaluate your
training, see other styles and meet a lot of wonderful people in
the larger martial arts community of which we are a part. This
year the tournament will be held at Lake Norman High School, 186
Doolie Road, Mooresville, NC. I-77 North to Exit 36, East on Hwy
150 2.5 miles, left on Doolie Road.
Of special interest, Master David Chin will conduct seminars in
Tibetan Hop Gar and Tai Chi fighting techniques. For details,
check out the Hung Gar website or call 704 663 6305.
All-day Meditation Retreat
Sunday, November 17th, 9-5AM Sifu will lead an extended session
of meditation. The meditation is open to all students regardless
of your experience. Take advantage of discussions and
explanations on meditation and practice. The price includes
lunch. Student early bird price (by Friday, November 15th) is
just $25, later it's $30. Public early bird price is $35, later
$40.
What's Up?
Sifu to Give Monthly Lecture
On the first Thursday of each month from 7:15-9:00PM, Sifu will
present a lecture on a topic he feels doesn't get addressed
deeply enough during regular class time. Each of these lectures
will be followed by an open discussion. All students (except for
younger children) are asked to attend unless your schedule makes
it impossible. You are welcome to enjoy dinner, a pot of tea, or
even a bottle of wine during the lectures if you wish. The topic
Thursday, November 7th, is "Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Fundamental Principles for Physical and Mental Health."
Free Public Lectures Resume
In January 2003 we will once again offer our popular free lecture
series, drawing on the talents and knowledge of area experts in a
variety of fields related to Asian culture and health. These
lectures will be bimonthly, on the first and third Saturday of
each month at 7:30PM.
Free Public Lectures Resume
Along with a bigger and better Peaceful Dragon comes the need for
more staff. We could not run without them and so, here they are
working in front of, behind and sometimes in between the scenes.
Geoffrey Bragg - Head Chef
George Lu - Cultural Center Manager
Melanie Snider - Children's Program Coordinator
Adam Elder - Cook
Joshua Ball - Cook
Rocio Cribillero - Cook
Carlos Vargas - Server
George O'Neal - Server
Nicole Davis - Server
Walter (Tony) Satle - Server
Dallas Jecha - Busboy
Jackie Chung - Busboy
Joseph (Mark) Fitzner - Busboy
Crystal Gimesh - Hostess
Bun (Cantha) Lam - Hostess
Corey Brown - Dishwasher
Lacey Ambrosina - Dishwasher
Robert (Brandon) Grubbs - Dishwasher
Maria Serpa - Dishwasher
Exciting New Programs & Services
Whenever and wherever you have the opportunity, do your part
to spread the word about The Peaceful Dragon. Here are the highlights.
• Sophisticated vegetarian menu of lunches and dinners
presented in an atmosphere that is at once elegant and
casual. Beer/wine/sake. And we cater! Ask Ozzy or
call 704-504-8866 for details.
• The finest teas served with or without lunch or
dinner in the setting you've come to love, with the
classmates you treasure and the new friends you'll soon know.
• A High-end selection of Asian-themed gifts, tea pots,
ceramics, incense and books, to begin a list. Remember,
students and members get a discount.
• After-school care program in a safe environment,
lots of stuff to do, ask experienced school teacher
Melanie Snider for details.
• If you want a pampering and rejuvenating experience
that's in a class by itself, make an appointment with
Debbie Nelms and choose from a variety of massage and
aroma therapies. Her lovely brochure has details and a price list.
• And of course there are simply the best martial arts
classes whether your interest is Shaolin Gong-fu,
Shuai Chiao, Taiji, Bagua or Xing-yi. In addition
to these traditional and authentic classes, Yoga and
Meditation are offered at no extra charge!
Young Dragons
Promotion Day
On November 16th at 6PM, Young Dragons who have met the
requirements to go to the next level will receive colored sashes
in a ceremony marking their achievements. Please note that you
must attend the ceremony to get your sash. Otherwise, you will
have to wait until January.
Volunteering
Thanks for helping with landscaping and planting.
There is still a lot to do. The Peaceful Dragon is
bigger and better and the responsibilities for keeping
up with it have grown. There will be monthly work days
for the next few months. The next one is Sunday, November 3rd.
Please check the daily schedule on the volunteer board.
Ongoing duties include grounds-keeping, windows and
mirrors, studio floors, locker rooms/saunas just to give
a few examples. This is part of good Wu-de and part of
your training.
Dragon Classified Ads
Now Products Available Again
One of the best values offered by The Peaceful Dragon is the line
of NOW brand vitamins and other health supplements. Catalogs are
available at the front counter. Student discount is 20% which is
unbeatable anywhere for products of this quality. Place your
order by the last day of each month. Delivery is in about ten
days.
Family Discount applies to after-school program. Children of
students get 20% off the regular cost of the program. See
Melanie Snider for details.
My Peaceful Dragon Experience
Passion Has Many Faces
By Barbara Dubinsky
I have been taking classes at the Peaceful Dragon for two
years. There are so many students here who have such wonderful
passion and commitment for the center. I understand such passion.
When I first arrived in Charlotte about 23 years ago, there was
one Montessori school. Now thanks to the efforts and commitment
of many including myself, there are three major private schools,
two thriving public schools and several small private schools. I
can only wish the same success for the Peaceful Dragon. I felt I
had to write after Sifu spoke about those who had not
participated in the building of the new facility.
My passion means I have worked countless hours for the last two
months as our public Montessori has moved to a new location. I
believe the Shaolin Way is in my life just as it is for other
Peaceful Dragon students. When Sifu spoke of understanding the
Shaolin Way, I understood what he meant. Everyone gives what they
can. As a senior teacher with no young children, I willingly give
everything I can to others that have less experience and families
that still requires nurturing.
The Peaceful Dragon for me is just as the name states. It is the
place I turn to for peace and the energy to continue. I can be
bone tired at the end of yet another ten hour day and come to
class and find my spirit revived and nurtured. I find the
strength in my knees returning and my mind rests. I think the
rest of the mind is what I most welcome from Tai Chi. The
chattering monkey is silenced three times a week. It is a most
welcome silence.
I try to give back to the Center as I can; there are some
moldings that I can smile at. In the end though, I have to
balance my life at home with family and my own passion for
teaching. Sometimes it is difficult to be surrounded by so many
who use the center to fulfill their need to give. Yet this helps
me to understand those who enter our school, and I thank the
staff for welcoming those of us who seek peace and a renewal of
energy; those who do not have the time to share as fully. The new
facility is beautiful and reflects the love of those who share in
it. I will continue to look for small ways that I can return your
gifts.
The editor is here to edit if needed. E-mail me,
bmk@carolina.rr.com or leave a message and I'll meet with you,
704.889.2353.
Words to Light Your Path
"By even speaking a phrase to you, I have already doused you with
dirty water. It would be even worse for me to put a twinkle in my
eye and raise my eyebrow to you, or rap a meditation seat or hold
up a whisk, or demand, 'What is this?' As for shouting and
hitting, it's obvious that this is just a pile of bones on level
ground.
"There are also the type who don't know good from bad and ask
questions about Buddha and Dharma and Zen and the Tao. They ask
to be helped, they beg to be received, they see knowledge and
sayings and theories relating to the Buddhist teaching and to
transcending the world and to accommodating the world. This is
washing dirt in mud and washing mud in dirt - when will they ever
manage to clear it away?
"Some people hear this kind of talk and jump to conclusions,
claiming, 'I understand! Fundamentally there is nothing to
Buddhism - it's there in everybody. As I spend my days eating
food and wearing clothes, has there ever been anything lacking?'
Then they settle down in the realm of unconcerned ordinariness,
far from realizing that nothing like this has ever been part of
the real practice of Buddhism.
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"Morning" by Nicholas Roerich
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"Leaving behind all leakages, day by day you get closer to the
truth and more familiar with it. As you go further, you change
like a panther who no longer sticks to its den - you leap out of
the corral. They you no longer doubt all the sayings of the
world's enlightened teachers - you are like cast iron. This is
precisely the time to apply effort and cultivate practice and
nourish your realization.
"After that you can kindle the inexhaustible lamp and travel the
unobstructed Path. You relinquish your body and your life to
rescue living beings. You enable them to come out of their cages
and eliminate their attachments and bonds. You cure them of the
diseases of being attached to being enlightened, so that having
emerged from the deep pit of liberation, they can become
uncontrived, unencumbered, joyfully alive people of the Path.
"So then, when you yourself have crossed over, you must not
abandon the carrying out of your bodhisattva vows. Be mindful of
saving all beings and steadfastly endure the attendant hardship
and toil in order to serve as a boat on the ocean of all
knowledge. Only then will you have some accord with the Path.
"Don't be a brittle pillar or a feeble lamp. Don't bat around your
little clean ball of inner mystical experience. You may have
understood for yourself, but what good does it do? Therefore the
ancient worthies necessarily urged people to travel the one road
of the Bodhisattva path so they would be able to requite the
unrequitable benevolence of our enlightened predecessors who
communicated the Dharma to the world.
"Nowadays there are many bright Zen monks in various locales who
want to pass through directly. Some seek too much and want to
understand easily. As soon as they know a little bit about the
aim of the Path and how to proceed they immediately want to show
themselves as adepts, yet they have already missed it and gone
wrong. Some don't come forth even when they are pushed to do so,
but they too are not yet completely enlightened.
"You are a master of Buddhist teaching methods only when you can
recognize junctures of times and patterns of causal conditions
and manage not to miss real teaching opportunities."
From Zen Letters - Teachings of Yuanwu
Translated by J.C. and Thomas Cleary
Yuanwu, 1063 - 1135
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