Hai Deng

The Venerable Hai Deng (Chinese: 海灯法师; pinyin: Hăi Dēng Făshī; Wade–Giles: Hai Têng Fa-shih; also sometimes spelled as Hai Teng[1] and Hai-tank[2]) (reportedly 1902–January 11, 1989) was a Buddhist monk, martial artist and pro-tem abbot of Shaolin Temple during the 20th century. He was born Fan Wubing (Chinese: 范无病) in Jiangyou County, Sichuan province. His parents gave him the name "Fan Wubing", which means Fan the Never Sick, in hopes that this might improve his being constantly sick when he was young.[3]

At the age of 19, Fan Wubing was accepted into Sichuan University, but did not attend due to financial difficulties. Instead, he attended Sichuan Police Academy, but later dropped out in pursuit of martial arts training.

Hai Deng was famous for his one-finger Chan, one of the 72 arts of the Shaolin temple, with which he could support most of his body weight on one finger.[4] Thanks to a visit to the USA in 1985, he was noted for his religious observance, literary skill, and qigong talents.[5]

References
  1. Li, Han-Jun (1 January 2000), Abbot Hai Teng of Shaolin, retrieved 22 July 2016
  2. PedomisSekaMirtis (15 April 2009), Monk Hai-tank "Finger Skill", retrieved 22 July 2016
  3. "Answers to Readers' Questions and Answers — April 2003 (Part 1)". shaolin.org. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. Shaolin Abbot Hai Deng. Documentary in Chinese by Central News Film Studio， 1984
  5. Gene Ching. The First Shaolin Monk in America. Kung Fu Magazine, 2007


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