Gee Sin Sim See

Gee Sin Sim See

A legendary figure of Chinese Martial Arts and history, Gee Sin Sim See is said to have been a Shaolin monk who lived during the 17th century when China was under the rule of the Ching (Manchurian) government. There isnt really much historical information available Gee Sin Sim See and his legendary exploits. To a certain extent some even argue his very existence and his connection with the Southern Shaolin temple (Naam Siu Lam Ji).

According to the Shaolin legends, Gee Sin Sim see was a budhist monk at the Northern Shaolin temple of Honan province. He lived during a time of oppression, civil unrest and rebel activities against the Ching- Manchurian government. The manchurian invasion of China (1644) ended the golden era of Ming dynasty and established the Ching Dynasty. The manchurians brutal control of China and crule treatmen of the Chinese people (Hans) lead to violent Chinese popular resistance, rebel activities and formation of many underground /secret organisations who wanted to overthrow the Manchurian government and reinstate the prosperous Ming Dynasty. It is said that shaolin temple accomodated some of these rebels and even took part in some rebel activities against the Ching rule. In time, the Manchurians became concerned by Shaolin temples dealings with the rebels and felt threatened by its activities. Eventually, the Ching troops attacked the shaolin temple, killed most of the monks and destryoed the temple.

Legend has it that Gee Sin and some others managed to escape the destruction of the temple. It is also said that he was s one of the legendary Five Elders of Shaolin temple. Gee sin travelled to southern China and took refuge in a temple at the Fukien province. This temple was known as or became known as the famous Southern Shaolin temple. It is belived that Gee Sin became the head monk - abbot of the Southern Shaolin temple and continued teaching the art of shaolin gung fu openly as well as continuing to support the anti-ching movement. Gee sin trained many students at the southern temple including Hung Hei Goon who is credited as the founder of Hung Gar style. Hung Hei Goon is said to have been Gee sin's top disciple and best of the so called Shaolin's Ten Best. Allegedly Shaolin Ten Best were the top students of Gee Sin Sim See who followed and trained under Gee Sin for many years. Besides the top disciple Hung Hei Goon, Shaolin Ten best also included another legendary figure of Hung Gar, Luk Ah Choy.

Gee Sin's time in the southern temple ended with the attack of the Manchurian army and complete destruction of the southern shaolin temple. Once again, Gee Sin Sim See managed to survive the attack and escaped with many others. According to the legends, Gee Sin Sim See travelled through southern China and finally ended up at the what has now become known as the famous Red Boat Opera Troupe (Hung Syuhn Hei Baan). It is said that Gee Sin Sim See stayed with the Red Boat Opera Troupe, teaching gung fu and carrying on with his support for the anti-ching movement. According to some Hung Gar legends, Hung Gar was created on these red boats. It is also said that Gee Sin is associated with the ceration of Wing Chun style on the Red Boat Opera Troupes.