Chan Tin Sang – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Master Chan Tin Sang c. 1956 Enhanced Photo

UK: Enhanced Photographs of – Chan Tin Sang [陳天生] – Our Hakka-Chinese Grandfather! (1.10.2026)

01/10/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

The British Authorities refused to arm the local populace. Most of his family were captured, tortured and brutally murdered by the Imperial Japanese Forces. Due to the bravery of the Hakka people – the British Authorities took the unusual step of raising a monument to their bravery in the New Territories after the British resumed colonial control of the region in 1945 – following the Imperial Japanese Surrender. To be clear, the Hakka people were “civilian” men, women, and children offered no military support (unlike the brave Gurkha warriors). As a consequence, and due to their bravery and law-abiding behaviour, the British State invited these “Guest People” ro resettle in the UK as a reward for their loyalty and sacrifice. Master Chan Tin Sanng – our Chinese grandfather – was a martial arts Master who brought his gongfu style to the West and transmitted the lineage to Adrian Chan-Wyles – the only inheritor of the complete style.

Gee Stands with Her Grandparents Who Came to England in the 1950s & 1960s!

UK: Cleaning the Ancestral Graves [Chung Yeung – 重陽] – Mid Autumn “Hungry Ghost” Festival!

28/09/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

As summer transition to Autumn – the mid-point is considered a time when the material world is in a state of commune with the unseen spiritual world. The ideograms “重陽” are pronounced “Zhong Yang” (Double Nine) in Putonghua (Mandarin) – are pronounced “Chung Yeung” in the Cantonese dialect (spoken in Hong Kong). In our Hakka dialect we say “Chhiùng-Yòng” – which is nearer the Northern Beijing dialect (Hakka people migrated into the South from the North). Although the graves are cleaned of leaves and dirt – this time of year is usually designed for “feeding” the spirits. Bowls of fresh (sealed) food can be laid near the grave with paper clothing “burned” (the smoke carries the objects up to the divine-sky). The food is then taken away, Incense is lit and flowers distributed.

UK: Daoist Magical Spells & Divination Arts! (23.9.2026)

23/09/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

In the Hakka-Cantonese language this (internal) process is termed “Mo-Sut” [魔術] (or “magic arts”). This is not to be confused with the similarly sounding “Mo Sut” (武術) – which stands for “Martial Arts”. “Mo-Sut” [魔術] (or “Magic Arts”) ran parallel with “Mo-Gui” [魔鬼] (or “Magic-Spirits”). My experience of Daoist magic came down through my gongfu training – and not through my Qianfeng Daoist (neidan) training. I suppose I experienced the “folk” variant as practiced within the culture of the Hakka people. In this regard, I practiced “invincibility” spells that prevented me being defeated in fighting over many years (when I was a teacher and lineage head). This is a lesson not in superstition – but sound character building and the application of physical skills. My ongoing training – which maintains my health and strength – constitutes “Immortality” training. Mo-Sut correlates with “self-visualisation” techniques that boost the self – whilst Mo-Gui seeks to unnerve and unsettle an opponent “at a distance” (as if their well-being is being interfered with by an unseen third-party).

USSR: Commemorating May 8-9 “Victory in Europe Day” 1945-2026! (8.6.2026)

08/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

We had to wait for the paints to arrive in the post – and I also acquired a box of 1941-42 Soviet Red Army soldiers which we have not yet assembled. The metal P40 aeroplane was purchased at the Imperial War Museum and was used by the US volunteers who fought for China against the Imperial Japanese before and during WWII. the families of these brave American men are still honoured and welcomed in China today. Of course, I include my English and Hakka Chinese grandparents. Alfred Wyles was in the first wave during D-Day, Arthur Gibson fought in the North Atlantic, and Chan Tin Sang fought in the New Territories in the People’s Militia. The USSR lost 41 million men, women, and children between 1941-1945 – 27 million dead and 16 million wounded. As allies of the UK – the Soviet Red Army carried-out the bulk of the fighting. The USSR was comprised of 15 countries – with Russia taking a coordinating role.

UK: Qingming (清明) [2025] – “Sweeping & Cleaning the Grave” of the Chinese Ancestors! (5.4.2025)

05/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

At both times of the year the graves are repaired and made new – whilst one or two of the favourite things are provided – such as a glass of brandy and a cigarette. Some Chinese families – although not ours – make paper clothing which is burnt at the graveside in Autumn – alongside “Spirit Money” – or pretend banknotes, etc. Others take real food which is placed on a table in hygienic containers – offered as an oblation – and consumed later. Our two daughters used clothes and cleaning sprays to remove the dirt and shine the stone exterior of the graves. The bright flowers are then cut to fit into the holders. We often bring a flag of China and Buddhist pictures and statues. Today, I also carried a Ch’an Dao Martial Arts Association badge and a pair of Nunchaku. We lit six incense-sticks – three for each grave – and bowed-down three-tips (clapping the hands three-times). We have been performing these rituals since the early 1990s in the UK.

China: Hou [侯] Family Sentenced for Fake TCM Treatment – Full Story! (18.2.2025)

18/02/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

There is a tradition within Chinese culture of “Master to Disciple” transmission of spiritual, medicinal, and martial culture (I know – as I have been a recipient and beneficiary of it). This still occurs within the Chinese diaspora – and it still happens in Mainland China – but with the caveat that modern China requires a rigorous professional approach when it comes to medicine and selling treatments to the public. TCM has been aligned with the educational standards of modern medicine – both of which are available to Chinese citizens. In fact, there are entire hospitals dedicated to TCM within which all the staff are university-educated. Mainland TCM doctors also have surgeries throughout the West – and are often not cheap to consult (although some offered “free” treatment to Westerners during the Covid-19 Pandemic). Regardless, a number of law-abiding citizens in China disagree with what the Hou family has experienced via the PRC Judiciary.

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