Yi Long Ma (Chinese 马一龙, Pinyin yī lóng ma) was born Liu Xingjun (Chinese 刘星君, Pinyin Liú Xīngjūn) [2].
He is a Chinese martial artist, kickboxer, Wushu, and practitioner of other martial arts who competes in Super Welterweight, Welterweight, and Super Middleweight divisions. Born in Dezhou, Shandong [2], he is self-trained in Shaolin Kung Fu [3].
In 2007, he became the Guangdong Foshan International Wing Chun champion. In the summer of 2009, he began to fight in Wu Lin Fen [4]. Yi Long previously called himself the "Number 1 Shaolin Kung Fu Monk" despite the Shaolin Buddhist Temple in 2010 claiming the fighter is unaffiliated with them [5]. More
Bruce Lee challenged by Thai female kickboxer undefeated 1971 — Bangkok match
I can prevail with just one well placed strike.
(Bruce Lee: The Hidden Legacy) Bangkok, November 15, 1971, underground gym. Somrak Kamsing challenged Bruce Lee. Forty-seven fights, 47 wins, 43 knockouts, she never lost.
"Come to Bangkok. Fight me. Or admit you fear women."
Bruce Lee read the challenge. Hong Kong. Filming Fist of Fury. He never fought woman before, never fought a perfect record, but he refused to decline the offer.
"She's undefeated champion. She deserves respect. She deserves fight."
He accepted. "Bangkok. November 15. Traditional Muay Thai rules. Five rounds. No cameras. No publicity. Just two martial artists."
Muay Thai or Muaythai (Thai มวยไทย, RTGS muai thai) is sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs [5], or the Science of Eight Limbs [6]. It is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and clinching techniques [7]. The name "Art of Eight Limbs" refers to the combined use of two fists, two elbows, two knees, and two shins [8].
Muay Thai went international in the late 20th-21st century, when Westernized practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing, mixed-rules matches, and matches under Muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand, sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Muay Thai is related to martial art styles of India's cultural sphere: Musti-yuddha [9, 10], Muay Chaiya, Muay Boran, Muay Lao, Lethwei, Kun Khmer, Benjang [11], and Tomoi [12].
Muay Thai practitioners are known as Nak Muay. Western practitioners are sometimes called Nak Muay Farang, meaning "foreign boxer" [13].
Muay Thaietymology: The Thai language term Muay Thai [14] that is a compound word made up of muay and Thai, the first derived from the Sanskrit root word [15] mavya [16], which means "to pull together," "to form into a single group or unit," or "unity" [16], defined as "to tie" [17] and "sport boxing" [18] in Thai. The alternative form of the Sanskrit word mavya is mavy (mavyati, Sanskrit मव्य् (मव्यति, lit. "to bind, to tie, to fasten") from its root term mav [19, 20] (Sanskrit मव). "Thai" comes from the word Tai [15], which means "free" [21] and "Tai-Kadai speakers " [Note 1]. More
Black implies white. White implies black. Swirling
Somrak Kamsing [the name of a real male fighter also known as Somluck Kamsing?] started training at age 8 disguised as a boy. Underground gyms didn't allow females.
She cut her hair, wrapped her chest to bind her bosom, and nobody knew for three years. Then one sparring session at age 11, fighting a 16-year-old boy, he hit her too hard and split her lip. She attacked, knee to body, elbow to face.
The Boy went down. The coach discovered her secret, "You're a girl?" She expected to be banned. The coach smiled, "You fight better than any boy. Stay. Become a champion."
By age 25, she was a legend. Men refused to fight her. They were too scared. "What if I lose to a woman?" She laughed. "You will lose. Question is how long you last."
I am water, I am void, I pivot to evade strikes.
November 15 arrived, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, only 50 witnesses. No media, Bruce insisted. "This is not a spectacle. This is martial arts. This is sacred."
They bowed a deep bow of mutual respect.
The bell rang.
Somrak attacked, low kick. Bruce checked it. She threw a combination. He slipped. She threw an elbow. He ducked. He countered. A backfist grazed her cheek. This was a real fight, five rounds. Both gave everything they had.
I make martial arts films.
Somrak landed solid leg kicks. Bruce countered with precision. She threw a flying knee. He sidestepped, spinning back to give her a kick to the ribs. She stumbled, the first time in 47 fights.
By Round 5, both were bloody. Bruce's eyebrow was cut. Somrak lip was split. They were still fighting, still trading strikes, no defense, just pure warrior spirit. The bell rang.
Silence. Then both bowed simultaneously, smiling.
The referee raised both hands. It was a draw by unanimous decision. It had been 48 fights, and she was still undefeated. Both remained undefeated. Nobody lost. Both won.
They hugged, "You are a real martial artist," Somrak said. "Gender doesn't matter, only heart."
I wish I'd eaten better and lived.
Bruce replied, "You taught me today. A woman can be a warrior equal to any man. Thank you."
Gifts were exchanged. Somrak gave Bruce traditional mongkhon.
Bruce gave her a Wing Chun ring.
November 15, 1971, Bangkok, five rounds, one draw, two champions. One lesson: Respect transcends gender because heart determines warrior.
Mara Devaputra, the Death Angel, patiently waits for an opening (randumbuzz.com)
Death is coming for who?! I gotta get out of here! - It's no use, champ. Your time's up.
America's favorite Muslim convert, Muhammad Ali (rejected slave name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) has passed away at 74 surrounded by family, suffering gravely from a career total of 29,000 punches to the body and the consequent traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease. The final cause of death was associated with old age. Ali (January 17, 1942-June 3, 2016) was the greatest figure in sports for decades thanks in some part to the ABC television network and announcer Howard Cossell.
Don't waste your life. Live, YOU, live! (Ali)
He was best known as a pro boxer, heavyweight champion, civil rights icon, conscientious objector, war resister, and father of 9.Early in his career, Ali was a controversial and polarizing figure in and out of the ring. A tough guy who could fight Death with gloves off, he was alas overtaken. So what chance do we have against the inevitable? Death is the "impossible possibility."
When Death (Mara the Tempter) came to dissuade Siddhartha from gaining enlightenment, he was too late. Siddhartha had awakened, become the Buddha, and overcome death, rebirth (samsara), and all suffering, and found the undying peace of nirvana.
Hunder town on the route to the Nubra Valley, a splendid Himalayan desert (Vaidyanathan)
Diskit (Deshkit) is in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir state in India. It is famous for its 14th century Buddhist monastery, believed to be the largest and oldest monastery in the Nubra Valley.
Diskit rests at an altitude of 10,310 feet at the edge of the desert on the Shyok Valley. Among the larger villages, Diskit is Nubra's administrative center. The valley was once an important stopover on the caravan route between Tibet and China.
Desertification: Sand dunes skirt the Nubra Valley, J&K, India (Raghavan V/wiki)
Himalayan desert behind Everest, Zanskar
The monastery belongs to the Gelugpa Order, the Yellow Hat sect, of Tibetan Buddhism known as Vajrayana. It was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, in the 14th century.
Diskit monastery was given to the rimpoche of Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh during the 18th century. It remains under the management of Thiksey and is therefore considered a sub-gompa. It is constructed in the Tibetan style and boasts colorful murals and frescos.
It has an elevated cupola with a fresco of Tibet's Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The historic and culturally important Tashi Lhunpo was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama near Shigatse, Tibet. The gompa's rooftop offers panoramic views of Nubra Valley.
About 100 Buddhist monks live here. The monastery's prayer hall has a statue of Maitreya Buddha and several images of fierce guardian deities.
Stop resurrecting, you foolish demon!
And interestingly it is believed that the monastery guards the wrinkled head and hand of a Mongol demon.
According to legend, that demon once lived on the land where the monastery now stands and wreaked havoc on the people. Even after it was slain, the demon kept resurrecting, which was finally stopped only by the monastery’s guardian deities.
Shyok River calmly meanders through the Nubra valley (Atamvir Singh Multani/flickr.com).
Diskit stands on a hill above the flood plains of the Shyok River and enjoys a mild climate due to its lower elevation. Diskit’s climatic condition has proved conducive to spawning lush vegetation in the valley, which has earned it the title “Orchard of Ladakh.” It has also earned fame for its horticultural produce particularly its apricots with many plantations growing them.
Diskit remains cut off for most of the year due to snow. Landslides are also common from October to May. As the administrative center and a large village by Ladakhi standards, Diskit Village and the monastery have become congregation centers for people of the valley.
The impressive 110 foot statue of Maitreya Buddha (shown above) is another tourist attraction. Lachung Temple, believed to be one of the oldest shrines in Nubra, is another. Double-humped Bactrian (Greco-Buddhist) camels are also another attraction.
Cham dance and prayers give the monastic complex an ambiance of great spirituality. It is also a time when locals exhibit their arts and sporting skills.
The Himalayan range is very wide running east from the Caucasus to Bhutan (wiki).
Himalayan Crows Lake up 5K meters, North Sikkim, India (Carsten.nebel).
A naga is any large land, sea, or sky creature.
"Meditators, it is by depending on the Himalaya, the King of Mountains, that dragons (large water creatures, serpents, nagas) grow in body gaining strength.
"Having grown in body and gained strength there, they descend to small lakes. Having descended to small lakes, they descend to large lakes...small rivers...large rivers...and to the great ocean. There they attain to greatness and prosperity of body.
Himalayan shrine, Nepal (Gerben of the lake)
"In the same way, by depending on virtue (sila), established on virtue, having cultivated and pursued the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, a meditator attains to greatness and prosperity of mind [heart].
"And how is it that a meditator -- depending on virtue, established on virtue, having cultivated and pursued the seven factors for Enlightenment -- attains to greatness and prosperity of mind?
"A meditator cultivates
mindfulness as a factor of enlightenment based on seclusion (of mind), based on dispassion, based on cessation, resulting in relinquishment....
keen investigation of phenomena...
energy as a factor of enlightenment...
rapture as a factor of enlightenment...
serenity as a factor of enlightenment...
concentration as a factor of enlightenment...
equanimity as a factor of enlightenment based on seclusion, based on dispassion, based on cessation, resulting in relinquishment.
This is how a meditator -- depending on virtue, established on virtue, having cultivated and pursued the Seven Factors of Enlightenment -- attains to greatness and prosperity of mind."
Himalayan river in Hunder, Nubra Valley, one of the few places in the world to see sand dunes, rivers, vegetation, animals, and snow capped peaks all in one frame (FoxBatOne).
(Wisdom Quarterly) Nagas(Reptilians, serpent spirits, shape-shifters, transformation beings, extraterrestrial rulers on Earth) are part of the history and mythology of India and Buddhism.
They refer not only to human groups (such as those in Nagaland, India) but more pointedly to the non-human entities worshipped by various groups around the world.
The feathered serpents of Mesoamerica, strikingly similar to the Khmer culture of Angkor Wat, Cambodia are two excellent examples of such worship. The art and stone megaliths are almost identical, as are their histories of conquests, human sacrifice, and self-destruction. They grow to greatness but at a terrible price.
The Chinese fascination with dragons is likely indicative of Naga influence as is the snake motif of American corporations and political leaders, where they are more commonly referred to as Reptilians.
Dragons, after all, were a central part of Christian lore until relatively recently. But there was a time when it would have been unthinkable not to believe in "dragons" and literal "serpents," be they demons, maniacal tyrants, or entities of great power as described in Buddhism. (Alex Collier and others describe their current activities in the pages of Wisdom Quarterly).
Nagas in Asia
(DeschKaschperle) Champa was an Indic civilization that flourished along the coast of Vietnam for almost 1,000 years -- until the capture and destruction by the Vietnamese of the Cham capital of Vijaya (located in what is now Binh Dinh Province) in 1471. Nagas were part of the art and mythology of Champa.
As Hindus and speakers of Sanskrit, the medieval Cham were heirs to the civilization and mythology of India, in which Nagas played an important role. Nagas are beings that have the capacities of both humans and serpents. They can live underwater, fly, or reside underground. Some have the power to transform and assume either human or serpent form. Numerous stories about Nagas are to be found in the Mahabharata, the great epic of Indian civilization.
Nagas had an additional significance in Cambodian civilization. Legend has it that the Khmer are descended from the union (miscegenation) a brahmin from India named Kaundinya and a local Naga princess named Soma. The legend implies that Cambodia originally was the land of the Nagas and that its civilization is the result of the Indianization of its native peoples.
Due to the cultural connection between Champa and Cambodia, Nagas became significant to the Cham as well. In 657 A.D., the Cham king Prakasadharma claimed to be descended from Kaundinya and Soma through his mother, a Khmer princess.
The works of art presented in this video are housed in the museums of Vietnam. They include:
Statue of Vishnu sitting on a coiled Naga: Vishnu is recognizable from what he is carrying. The motif is probably borrowed from the Buddhist legend of the serpent king Mucalinda, who used his hood to shield the meditating Buddha from the rain. The statue also recalls the motif of Vishnu lying asleep at the bottom of the ocean on the body of the serpent Shesha.
Statue of a Dharmapala with Nagas as jewelry: This Buddhist statue of a temple guardian draws on a Hindu theme that connects Shiva with serpents and has Shiva using serpents as personal ornaments.
Architectural ornament of a makara disgorging a Naga: The makara is a mythical sea monster with the head of a crocodile and the trunk of an elephant. It is commonly invoked as a motif in Cham and Cambodian architecture. It is generally shown disgorging some other being, a person, deer, or Naga.
Move over, Sasquatch: Some say there's a new monster in Canada, living in a small lake on Vancouver Island.
John Kirk, co-founder of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, says his organization began cataloguing sighting reports of an odd creature in Cameron Lake about five years ago, when two people reported seeing a long black animal in the water.
"Witnesses have been describing what looks like a dark creature in the lake," Kirk said, adding that British Columbia has more reputed lake monsters than anywhere else in the world. Kirk, who researches mysterious and unknown creatures, believes that the creature may be found, and spent one day aboard a boat searching the lake, courtesy of the local tourism board. Using a fish finder, Kirk's team found what he believes was a giant object amid a school of fish about 60 feet below the surface. More>>
Sirens (ShapeshiftingNagas?) A distant cousin of the mermaid (in folkloric terms), sirens are beautiful, alluring females who dwell near rocky cliffs and sing to passing sailors. According to legend, the hapless seamen become enchanted by the sirens' song, following the mellifluous melody to their deaths as their boats crash upon the rocky shore. It is an ancient morality tale about the evils of seduction. But not all sirens are comely. Other accounts depict them as half-bird, half-women creatures (in Buddhism: garudas, kinnaras) who would lure travelers to their doom with harps instead of their voices. In Greek myth, Odysseus escaped the sirens by having his sailors plug their ears. See more at:
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