Poem

Kung Fu is more than just punching or striking; it is a moral discipline with it's roots going back to the monks in the Shaolin Temples. Those who master only the outer forms of Kung Fu have not yet discovered that the most important aspects of Kung Fu take place inside the student.

• respect the founder, respect the teacher, respect the teachings

• learn kindness, learn justice, then learn Kung Fu

• after you learn Kung Fu, you can protect yourself

• but if you are a hero, a true Kung Fu man, you won't abuse your powers

• if you meet a student and you know he is an evil person then you would not teach him even for 10,000 pieces of gold

• and if he has no honor you would not teach him even if he were your brother

• but if he has honor then you should teach him even if he is a stranger to you

• and after you learn the secret of Hung Tao Choy Mei even a piece of useless stone may become a piece of gold to you

The first two lines are self-explanatory. The final section of the poem reflects the ancient Chinese belief in the power of the art of Kung Fu, and the responsibility of the person entrusted with Kung Fu knowledge to pass it on only to those who are worthy to receive it.

Clearly, the wisdom of Hung Tao Choy Mei is in the permanent changes it brings about inside of the student. When you have learned "the secret" and know the ways a "useless" rock may be used, that stone may indeed be worth as much as a piece of gold to you someday!