Sek Koh Sam

Reverend Sek Koh Sam the abbot of the Shuang Lin Monastery in Singapore is both a scholar, physician, and martial artist. Born in 1886 in China, it wasn't until 1928 at the age of 42 that he travelled to S.E. Asia. In 1928 he was invited to Java, Indonesia to preside at theShuang Lin Monastery. He contributed much to Buddhism and martial arts, for in 21 years he built 9 temples in this geographic region. He is the 49th generation of the Chinese Buddhist monk lineage, the first generation being Bodhidharma (Damo).

Ng Ser Kow

Mr. Ng Ser Kow (Ng Swee Gao) was born in Fu Jian in China. He was a strong willed man and had a strong interest in Chinese martial arts. In 1947 he left China for Singapore and was under the protégé of Monk Sek Koh Sam who was the chief abbot of Shuang Lin temple in Singapore.

Mr. Ng trained under Abbot Sek Koh Sam for more than ten years and was one of the favorite disciples of Abbot Sek Koh Sam. Ng Ser Kow was trained to a high level…

Lau Eng Guan

Mr. Lau Eng Guan was born in 1931 Wei Ann, Fujian, China. In 1937, he followed his father to Singapore and hence has helped his father in running his business.

He joined Sao Hua San in 1957 and trained in martial arts under Ng Ser Kow and Tay Shui Siong. He learnt the Mei Hua form ,monkey form, Luo Han form, crane form and other forms of weapon sets.

He is approachable and hardworking. He perfected the techniques taught by the two instructors in a short time.

Chin Hock Tan

Chin Hock Tan is currently teaching Shaolin Martial Arts in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Tan has dedicated over 50 years to the promotion of traditional Shaolin Martial Arts.

Shaolin martial arts (Rev. Sek Koh Sam Style) was brought to Canada by Chin Hock Tan, a disciple of Master Ng Ser Kow of the Singapore Sao Hua San Athletic Association. Tan was born in Singapore and has been training and teaching Shaolin martial arts for more than 50 years.

Sek Koh Sam (Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery)

Reverend Sek Koh Sam the Chief Abbot of the Shuang Lin Monastery in Singapore is both a scholar, physician, and martial artist. Born in 1886 in China, it wasn't until 1928 at the age of 42 that he travelled to S.E. Asia. In 1928 he was invited to Java, Indonesia to preside at the Shuang Lin Monastery. He contributed much to Buddhism and martial arts, for in 21 years he built 9 temples in this geographic region. He is the 49th generation of the Chinese Buddhist monk lineage, the first generation being Bodhidharma (Damo).

At 63 years old Sek Koh Sam was requested by the Singapore Shuang Lin Monastery to succeed Pui-Lang as Abbot (Chief Monk). He undertook post-war repairs to some of the buildings of the Shaolin Temple in Singapore which had been badly damaged. He was also a well-known exponent of the martial arts school of Shaolin Temple, especially for his Monkey Lohan form, and he shared his expertise with the community.

In 1954 Reverend Sek established the Singapore Sao Hua San Athletic Association, the first Shaolin martial arts school outside the Temple. Reverend Sek Koh Sam introduced 'Yi Zhi Mei' as a set form, and 'Lohan Koon' another set form ('Yi Zhi Mei' and Reverend Sek Koh Sam can be found in the Shaolin Encyclopedia, written by Shi De Qian of the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China).

Ng Ser Kow (Sao Hua San Athletic Association)

Mr. Ng Ser Kow (Ng Swee Gao) was born in Fu Jian in China. He was a strong willed man and had a strong interest in Chinese martial arts. In 1947 he left China for Singapore and was under the protégé of Monk Sek Koh Sam who was the chief abbot of Shuang Lin temple in Singapore.

Mr. Ng trained under Abbot Sek Koh Sam for more than ten years and was one of the favorite disciples of Abbot Sek Koh Sam . Ng Ser Kow was trained to a high level of proficiency in both the Lohan form, Monkey form, Staff, and various weapons.

Singapore Sao Hua San Association was formed in 1954 and Mr. Ng, under the instruction of Abbot Sek Koh Sam , was to be the instructor of Sao Hua San Association.

Mr. Ng had numerous trainees under him and during his stay in Sao Hua San, he had trained several well-known martial artists in Singapore. Several of his students had participated in South East Asia tournaments and had gained recognition for their skills.

All these further substantiated Mr. Ng contribution to Sao Hua San Association. Mr. Ng was also the instructor of the Nanyang Shaolin Headquarter and had participated in Singapore Wushu demonstration in Singapore,1967. It was in this tournament that Nan yang Shaolin Association became one of the top positions of the martial arts association in Singapore.

Mr. Ng died on 23rd December 1973. He was 47 years old then and spent most of his life promoting Shaolin martial arts in Singapore. He was a highly skilled martial artist, and his many contributions have benefited his fellow students. He will always be remembered, and teachings will not be forgotten.

Lau Eng Guan (Sao Hua San Athletic Association)

Mr. Lau Eng Guan was born in 1931 Wei Ann, Fujian, China. In 1937, he followed his father to Singapore and hence has helped his father in running his business.

He joined Sao Hua San in 1957 and trained in martial arts under Ng Ser Kow and Tay Shui Siong. He learnt the Mei Hua form ,monkey form, Luo Han form, crane form and other forms of weapon sets.

He is approachable and hardworking. He perfected the techniques taught by the two instructors in a short time.

In 1966, Sao Hua San Association celebrated their twelve anniversary and Mr. Lau Eng Guan was commended for his contribution to the association.
In 1969 he was one of the selected few team members from Singapore Shaolin Association (of which Sao Hua San is an affiliate) to go to Berlin, Germany for the martial art performance. During this period, he was under strict supervision of Mr. Ng Ser Kow where he further sharpened his martial art skills. It was during this time Mr. Lau Eng Guan further improved his skills under Ng Ser Kow and other special martial art forms were taught to him.

When Mr. Ng Sen Kow died in 1973, Mr. Lau Eng Guan was elected to take over his place as the martial arts instructor for Sao Hua San Association. He was the instructor for thirty over years.

Chin Hock Tan (Shaolin Wushu Canada)

Chin Hock Tan is currently teaching Shaolin Martial Arts in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Tan has dedicated over 50 years to the promotion of traditional Shaolin Martial Arts.

Shaolin martial arts (Rev. Sek Koh Sam Style) was brought to Canada by Chin Hock Tan (Click Here for more pictures), a disciple of Master Ng Ser Kow of the Singapore Sao Hua San Athletic Association. Tan was born in Singapore and has been training and teaching Shaolin martial arts for more than 50 years.

An enthusiast in martial arts, he has participated in pugilistic events, demonstrations, and exhibitions. Tan has undergone a course in competition judging, conducted by the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation (a government regulated body to monitor all martial arts and self-defence organizations and individuals). Tan is a certified and qualified instructor in martial arts and self-defence (a requirement by law for all martial arts instructors in Singapore).

Tan's credits include being a committee member for the advancement of Shaolin Martial Arts in Singapore. He also holds the positions of assistant general secretary and disciplinary officer.