Grandmaster Dong Bin
Lineage & Beginnings
Master Dong Bin was a native of Ningbo, an area close to Shanghai and renowned for its seafood. Dong first arrived in Shanghai as a young man of thirteen, looking for work and to make his living in the more cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, which even back then was a haven for international trade and opportunity.
With only an elementary education and coming from a humble background, Dong Bin started studying Taiji with Dong Shi Zuo after watching Dong Shi Zuo, who was Catholic by faith, teach beginners at the local church hall.
Dong Bin, who didn’t have money for tuition used to peak through the windows to follow along; but after Dong Shi Zuo continually saw him outside copying the students inside and doing well, invited Dong Bin inside and took him on as a student.
Generosity
Dong Bin said his teacher was incredibly generous and kind to him over the years, and he felt it his duty to repay that kindness by treating his own students in a similar manner and seek to help those who were eager and enthusiastic to learn, whatever their circumstances.
Dong Bin was exceedingly generous to his “international daughter” Rose, refusing to accept gifts or money for training, and often writing copious handwritten notes and advice for her to help her with her Taiji training.
Gongfu Skills
Dong Bin was not only a fantastic Taiji player, but also a truly wonderful and generous person, and a father figure to Rose in her earlier years in Shanghai. He encouraged her to teach Taiji far and wide, and hoped that the skills and knowledge he had learned, despite being made to suffer for his pursuit of Taiji during the Cultural Revolution, would be passed on to everyone around the world, so more could benefit from this wonderful art.
Dong Bin taught Rose and Wang Ming Bo the basic foundation exercises, push hands principles and Yang Style form he had learned from his own great teachers, and which have become the foundation for DDA’s curriculum. And for that, we are extremely grateful to a wonderful martial artist, teacher and friend, and someone Rose is honoured to call “Father”.
Join Our Newsletter
Keep in touch with our news, events & workshops
