INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
In 1996, Laoshi Markle was introduced to Buddhism through her Qigong Master, Master Yan.
She began her serious Buddhist study and practice in 1998 when she met Dharma Master of 10,000 World Peace Sarira Stupa Temple in Canada. One day, after hearing of the Temple she paid a visit with her father. She saw a monk busy working and was too shy to speak with him. Later, she returned again, distraught about some personal struggles. This time she approached the Reverend. Sharing her feelings with him, he spoke the Dharma for her and she instantly felt better. She had learned from her former Masters, that it was important to take care of your Teachers and she felt an immediate need to repay him for just that one conversation. She asked Reverend what she could do to help around the Temple, knowing that money or gifts were not the way to repay a Buddhist monk. He replied, "You can mop the floor."
As odd as it may seem, she felt elated to mop the floor. She had a deep desire to learn and be a part of the place. Her brother joined her, and they mopped the floor while the Reverend performed the evening service.
During the service, Laoshi Markle had a very strange sensation and feeling. She later asked Reverend Shen Kuang about this, and he told her that it was important they she do the service with him. From that point on, she would clean in the mornings and afternoons, and each Saturday and Sunday by 4pm, stop to do the evening service.
She returned every Saturday and Sunday for many years, spending the day cleaning and helping with whatever was needed. To this day, she continues to practice daily and spend time at the Temple once per week or every two weeks.
She began her serious Buddhist study and practice in 1998 when she met Dharma Master of 10,000 World Peace Sarira Stupa Temple in Canada. One day, after hearing of the Temple she paid a visit with her father. She saw a monk busy working and was too shy to speak with him. Later, she returned again, distraught about some personal struggles. This time she approached the Reverend. Sharing her feelings with him, he spoke the Dharma for her and she instantly felt better. She had learned from her former Masters, that it was important to take care of your Teachers and she felt an immediate need to repay him for just that one conversation. She asked Reverend what she could do to help around the Temple, knowing that money or gifts were not the way to repay a Buddhist monk. He replied, "You can mop the floor."
As odd as it may seem, she felt elated to mop the floor. She had a deep desire to learn and be a part of the place. Her brother joined her, and they mopped the floor while the Reverend performed the evening service.
During the service, Laoshi Markle had a very strange sensation and feeling. She later asked Reverend Shen Kuang about this, and he told her that it was important they she do the service with him. From that point on, she would clean in the mornings and afternoons, and each Saturday and Sunday by 4pm, stop to do the evening service.
She returned every Saturday and Sunday for many years, spending the day cleaning and helping with whatever was needed. To this day, she continues to practice daily and spend time at the Temple once per week or every two weeks.
LEARNING ABOUT MARTIAL ARTS
Laoshi Markle will sometimes talk about the lessons that she has learned and still learns from giving service to the Buddhist Temple, many of which became the foundation for her Martial Arts style. Some may be surprised to know that Reverend Shen Kuang does not practice Kung Fu. Rather, Buddhist monk, Reverend Chun Bo, who Laoshi would meet a few years later, did. Even so, the 18 years of spending time with Reverend Shen Kuang on a weekly basis, involved in various Temple projects, have given Laoshi Markle insight into life and Martial Arts.
The Buddhist Temple was built in the early 90's. However, by 1998 when Laoshi arrived, many things were yet to be done. A new 7 story Stupa had been built, but there was almost nothing inside it. Each week, with other volunteers, almost all of whom were Chinese, she would assist in moving heavy statues, book shelves, library books etc. She painted marble statues, hauled garbage, and cleaned anything and everything that was needed. Little did she know at the time, but Reverend Shen Kuang had worked on an off shore oil rig in Saudi Arabia for many years before becoming a monk. He did construction, and was often 200 feet up in the air. Though she had a grave fear of heights, at the request of the Reverend she suddenly found herself on scaffolding 5 levels up assisting with Temple projects. Soon enough, she no longer feared heights and Reverend Shen Kuang still asks her to this day to do the work that is up high.
Working side by side with him, week after week and year after year, she learned how to most efficiently lift and move extremely heavy objects, sometimes with almost no equipment. In later years, she began to bring her friends, family and her first students to help the Temple. Together she and her students would often lift or move statues between 500 and 2000 pounds. Laoshi explains that this is also Martial Arts training. How to use strength, energy, concentration and endurance in the most efficient way is exactly Martial Arts. Without this training, she is adamant that she would not be where she is today.
After some time of doing the strength jobs, Reverend Shen Kuang asked her to clean the bathrooms. Without a second thought, she began to clean the bathrooms, both the men and women's bathroom, week after week. Reverend Shen Kuang told her that he did not often ask people to mop or clean bathrooms, because they would run off. This part of giving service to the Temple, is the ego training. Martial Arts training is also about ego training. If one feels they are too good to do something, they are not training well. The ego will get in the way of hearing the Teacher's teachings. This part of training is one of the most important. Nowadays, Laoshi Markle is very busy, but will always clean the bathroom at her school and at the Temple if its needed.
Mysteriously, Reverend Shen Kuang also knew a proper horse stance and drop stance, which he showed Laoshi early on. And he would frequently teach Laoshi how to use the "Kung fu back" when lifting and working, as well as various stretching and meditative techniques.
The Buddhist Temple was built in the early 90's. However, by 1998 when Laoshi arrived, many things were yet to be done. A new 7 story Stupa had been built, but there was almost nothing inside it. Each week, with other volunteers, almost all of whom were Chinese, she would assist in moving heavy statues, book shelves, library books etc. She painted marble statues, hauled garbage, and cleaned anything and everything that was needed. Little did she know at the time, but Reverend Shen Kuang had worked on an off shore oil rig in Saudi Arabia for many years before becoming a monk. He did construction, and was often 200 feet up in the air. Though she had a grave fear of heights, at the request of the Reverend she suddenly found herself on scaffolding 5 levels up assisting with Temple projects. Soon enough, she no longer feared heights and Reverend Shen Kuang still asks her to this day to do the work that is up high.
Working side by side with him, week after week and year after year, she learned how to most efficiently lift and move extremely heavy objects, sometimes with almost no equipment. In later years, she began to bring her friends, family and her first students to help the Temple. Together she and her students would often lift or move statues between 500 and 2000 pounds. Laoshi explains that this is also Martial Arts training. How to use strength, energy, concentration and endurance in the most efficient way is exactly Martial Arts. Without this training, she is adamant that she would not be where she is today.
After some time of doing the strength jobs, Reverend Shen Kuang asked her to clean the bathrooms. Without a second thought, she began to clean the bathrooms, both the men and women's bathroom, week after week. Reverend Shen Kuang told her that he did not often ask people to mop or clean bathrooms, because they would run off. This part of giving service to the Temple, is the ego training. Martial Arts training is also about ego training. If one feels they are too good to do something, they are not training well. The ego will get in the way of hearing the Teacher's teachings. This part of training is one of the most important. Nowadays, Laoshi Markle is very busy, but will always clean the bathroom at her school and at the Temple if its needed.
Mysteriously, Reverend Shen Kuang also knew a proper horse stance and drop stance, which he showed Laoshi early on. And he would frequently teach Laoshi how to use the "Kung fu back" when lifting and working, as well as various stretching and meditative techniques.
MEETING REVEREND CHUN BO
In 2000, Laoshi Markle met Buddhist monk, Reverend Chun Bo at a gathering at the Buddhist Temple. Instantly, she felt as if she wanted to know him. He did not speak any english, and when he accidentally closed the door on her she said "no problem" in Chinese. He laughed and began to speak very fast. As she could not speak much yet, she asked someone to translate and they had a conversation. It was later in the day that she found out from another novice monk that he had been training since childhood in Kung fu in China. She approached him about learning, and he invited her to Scarborough Canada to learn.
Over the next several years she would learn the exercises for internal strength and power for fighting (Li Gong), as well as fighting applications. Reverend Chun Bo asked that she not easily teach fighting applications to others. In addition, he taught her valuable information about Chinese tea, feng shui and of course, Buddhism. Reverend Chun Bo was a fantastic cook, and was a Chinese herbal doctor. He advised Laoshi on the importance of regularly taking Chinese herbs, especially when doing Kung fu and not eating meat. Reverend Chun Bo also was the first person to take Laoshi on a 21 day tour of China, to the Temples of Jiangsu and Zhejiang province in 2008. To this day, Laoshi will still visit Reverend Chun Bo in China.
Over the next several years she would learn the exercises for internal strength and power for fighting (Li Gong), as well as fighting applications. Reverend Chun Bo asked that she not easily teach fighting applications to others. In addition, he taught her valuable information about Chinese tea, feng shui and of course, Buddhism. Reverend Chun Bo was a fantastic cook, and was a Chinese herbal doctor. He advised Laoshi on the importance of regularly taking Chinese herbs, especially when doing Kung fu and not eating meat. Reverend Chun Bo also was the first person to take Laoshi on a 21 day tour of China, to the Temples of Jiangsu and Zhejiang province in 2008. To this day, Laoshi will still visit Reverend Chun Bo in China.
WHAT ABOUT BUDDHISM?
You will sometimes hear Laoshi Markle tell you that the work around the Temple is Buddhism. Being mindful, giving service, working to have a clear mind, focused on the good-this is Buddhist practice. Laoshi Markle will sometimes say that many North American people believe that sitting quietly in meditation is Buddhism, or quoting the teachings. But, she says, Buddhism must be applied in your everyday life. As many of the ancients have taught, Laoshi teaches that meditation is a necessary tool-but guarding against laziness, lofty ideals, and arrogance are also accomplished through work OFF the meditation cushion.
However, Reverend Shen Kuang did teach Laoshi Markle the proper way to recite mantras and meditate. She would often have experiences and visions and throughout the process would confide with the Reverend. She would read and study Buddhist Sutras, choosing to reread a few of them many, many times. She learned to bow in the Mahayana tradition, and would bow to the Buddhas each day, and still does. She became a vegetarian within the first year or two, deciding to follow the Mahayana way of practicing compassion toward all beings.
In the current age, people sometimes say bowing and chanting is superstitious or too religious. But Reverend Shen Kuang taught that these are tools in which people need to learn the path, and to stay on it. People say, "everything is empty, what need is there to bow or follow precepts?" This is the decline of Buddhism and moral behavior, and if one should hear this, they should be aware that it is not true Buddhism.
However, Reverend Shen Kuang did teach Laoshi Markle the proper way to recite mantras and meditate. She would often have experiences and visions and throughout the process would confide with the Reverend. She would read and study Buddhist Sutras, choosing to reread a few of them many, many times. She learned to bow in the Mahayana tradition, and would bow to the Buddhas each day, and still does. She became a vegetarian within the first year or two, deciding to follow the Mahayana way of practicing compassion toward all beings.
In the current age, people sometimes say bowing and chanting is superstitious or too religious. But Reverend Shen Kuang taught that these are tools in which people need to learn the path, and to stay on it. People say, "everything is empty, what need is there to bow or follow precepts?" This is the decline of Buddhism and moral behavior, and if one should hear this, they should be aware that it is not true Buddhism.
SEVEN YEAR SELF IMPOSED SOLITARY LIFE
In 2002, Laoshi Markle decided to sequester herself from regular life. As she had just begun teaching some basic kungfu and still had to make a small living, this proved to be very challenging. At the recommendation of Reverend Shen Kuang, she chose to live alone, not to have a boyfriend or get married, not travel long distances and not attend social events. It is important to note that this was self imposed-Laoshi had many temptations and pressures along the way not to continue.She had many friends and acquaintances who tried to draw her away.
Though she assumed it would be for just a short time, eventually 1 year turned into 7 or 8 years. During this period, she practiced celibacy and the 5 precepts of no killing, no lying, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no intoxicants. In addition, she practiced the 10 Virtues. Though she felt as if she had already been practicing well, after serious time in contemplation, she realized just how many levels to this practice there actually were.
Prior to this time, she had already been training in Martial Arts, but she was never able to meet a Teacher who practiced on the spiritual level. In most cases, except for Master Greacenin and Master Yan, the Instructors she came in contact with did not even practice WU DE, or the morals and ethics of Martial Arts. Without realizing it, she was always searching for this path. It wasn't until she met Reverend Shen Kuang that she was able to pull all of her Martial Arts training to a higher level through an intense Buddhist study and practice.
Laoshi Markle chose the strict path for so many years as a way to change her faults and deepen her understanding. As many kids do, when she was a teenager she had developed habits from her upbringing and outside influences that caused her to make poor choices in life. Having no real idea on how to make positive changes, it was this time period in which she was able to do so. After realizing the way of practice, she has continued to practice high levels of discipline so as to be more equipped to help others. She says this was and is the driving force for continuing on, even though she suffered a lot during this time period.
Though she assumed it would be for just a short time, eventually 1 year turned into 7 or 8 years. During this period, she practiced celibacy and the 5 precepts of no killing, no lying, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no intoxicants. In addition, she practiced the 10 Virtues. Though she felt as if she had already been practicing well, after serious time in contemplation, she realized just how many levels to this practice there actually were.
Prior to this time, she had already been training in Martial Arts, but she was never able to meet a Teacher who practiced on the spiritual level. In most cases, except for Master Greacenin and Master Yan, the Instructors she came in contact with did not even practice WU DE, or the morals and ethics of Martial Arts. Without realizing it, she was always searching for this path. It wasn't until she met Reverend Shen Kuang that she was able to pull all of her Martial Arts training to a higher level through an intense Buddhist study and practice.
Laoshi Markle chose the strict path for so many years as a way to change her faults and deepen her understanding. As many kids do, when she was a teenager she had developed habits from her upbringing and outside influences that caused her to make poor choices in life. Having no real idea on how to make positive changes, it was this time period in which she was able to do so. After realizing the way of practice, she has continued to practice high levels of discipline so as to be more equipped to help others. She says this was and is the driving force for continuing on, even though she suffered a lot during this time period.
A NEW KUNG FU STYLE IS BORN
Daily meditation and chanting gave rise to some very spiritual dreams and experiences early on. It was at this time that she began to toss out her old training forms and develop her own Kung Fu style. It is very important to note that during this time, Reverend Shen Kuang asked her not to train in other forms of Martial Arts anymore, as it would influence her creation. Though extremely difficult, she complied. Whereas in China, new styles can sometimes be developed over a period of one or two years, from many years of former training - Laoshi Markle took many years to do this. She attributes this fact to the distractions of having a new school, of struggling with emotions and past karmas, and of being distracted by her ambition to help others. Nevertheless, the style took a beautiful shape and in 2012, year of the Dragon, parts of it were finally shown to the public.
PRESENT DAY
Integrating her realizations and learning into a more secular life, Laoshi Markle
still continues to practice strict disciplines, including Buddhism and mantra recitation daily along with
Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qigong.
She follows the way of moderating the pursuit of personal pleasures in order to increase wisdom.
Each week she also devotes time to research and study, especially in Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs. Laoshi Markle says she is always striving to improve by practicing in daily life, using the Buddhist way of mindful thought, speech and action. She says she is improving more each day, and encourages others to stay with their practice.
still continues to practice strict disciplines, including Buddhism and mantra recitation daily along with
Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qigong.
She follows the way of moderating the pursuit of personal pleasures in order to increase wisdom.
Each week she also devotes time to research and study, especially in Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs. Laoshi Markle says she is always striving to improve by practicing in daily life, using the Buddhist way of mindful thought, speech and action. She says she is improving more each day, and encourages others to stay with their practice.