อาจารย์ ต่ง อิ๋ง เจี๋ย Great Master Dong Ying Chieh

Great Master Tung Ying Chieh (Dong Ying Chieh)

History of Tai Chi Chuan Martial Arts Propagation in Thailand

Tai Chi Chuan or Tai Chi is in Mandarin Chinese. Thai people know and commonly call it 'Tai Ge' (Tai Ge), which is the Teochew name. Both terms have the same meaning.

Before 1949 (B.E. 2492), there was no teaching of Tai Chi Chuan martial arts in Thailand. Around that same year, a group of Chinese-descended merchants were interested in learning Tai Chi Chuan martial arts to improve their health. Knowing that Master Tung Ying Chieh was an outstanding disciple of Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan, they asked Master Lim Sim Ngo to represent them in inviting Master Tung Ying Chieh to come to Thailand to teach Tai Chi. Master Tung Ying Chieh came to Bangkok to demonstrate Tai Chi Chuan martial arts and teach for a short period. Due to other commitments, he sent his son, Master Tung Hu Ling, to teach officially. The travel expenses, accommodation, food, and teacher fees were shared by the seven pioneers, including Master Lim Sim Ngo, totaling approximately 50,000 baht (fifty thousand baht), which was a large amount of money in that era 50 years ago.

The Tung family has made significant contributions to the Tai Chi Chuan community in Thailand. Both Master Lim Sim Ngo and the group who invited Master Tung Ying Chieh are considered pioneers who paved the way for Tai Chi Chuan martial arts to take firm root in Thailand. Master Tung Hu Ling had many students because he came to teach Tai Chi Chuan martial arts for many years. These disciples and their students have passed on the Tai Chi they learned to later generations of interested people. The Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan that has spread throughout almost every province of Thailand all originates from the students of Master Tung Ying Chieh and Master Tung Hu Ling.

Topics

History of Tung Tai Chi Lineage

The Tung Family represents one of the two most famous lineages for the transmission of the Yang style, alongside the Yang family itself. The Tung lineage began in Xingtai, Renxian County, Hebei Province, with Master Tung Ying-Kiai (Dong Yingjie, 1897-1961), who was a leading disciple of Yang Cheng-Fu. The family has maintained its originality while preserving the authentic Yang style teachings, spreading Tai Chi Chuan globally through generations of dedicated masters.

The Masters

Master Tung Yingjie

董英傑 (1897 - 1961)

Master Tung Ying-Kiai (Dong Yingjie, 1897-1961) was the founding ancestor of the Tung Family Tai Chi lineage. Born in Xingtai, Renxian County, Hebei Province, he came from a peasant family that ran a coaching inn. He became a leading disciple of Yang Cheng-Fu, co-authored 'Tai Chi Chuan applications' with him, and officially inherited the Yang style. His determination and dedication helped spread Tai Chi Chuan globally.

Master Tung Hu Ling

董虎岭

Master Tung Hu-Ling was the son of Tung Ying-Kiai and played a crucial role in spreading the Tung Family Tai Chi teachings globally. He taught in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States, establishing schools in Hawaii and California. His philosophy emphasized that 'Tai Chi teachings must combine both tradition and adaptation to the world and to circumstances.'

Master Tung Kai Ying

董繼英 (Born: 1941)

Master Tung Kai-Ying is the grandson of Tung Ying-Kiai and the eldest son of the eldest son. Born in Hebei under the sign of the Little Dragon, his name means 'He who succeeds the Brave' or 'The continuity of the Brave.' He founded a school in Los Angeles in 1971 and has taught throughout the USA and Europe. His philosophy emphasizes 'Ju Mu San Fen' (penetrate an inch deep into the wood), representing deep, dedicated study.