As a 4th generation Malaysian born Chinese, when my name was given to me by my parents it still has the HAM or commonly known as ‘Tham’ surname in front followed by my First Name. Wherever you are in the world, as a Chinese person, your surname would always be first followed by your name. Why? Partly is to recognize which clan do you belong to and how to trace your roots if you are not clear where your ancestors come from (which part of China) particularly when you are an overseas Chinese.

*Please note that the reading will be a little difficult as I have included the Chinese word to ensure that Chinese reader can check on the authenticity. However it will be worth your reading if you are interested in the lineage of Han Wu.

Even on my ancestors’ grave, it is clearly written Tham surname from Kai PingChina. This ensures that when I want to trace my roots, or any of my descendants wish to do so, they will know where to start.

Remembering where you came from is not unique only to the Chinese, I believe it is a crucial factor in upbringing for every family in every culture. Therefore a lineage in Feng Shui, serve the same purpose, which just tell you who and where does this practitioner learns his skill. It can also trace whom and where his teacher learned his skill and knowledge. With that we can easily know which collective knowledge do they base their understanding, which built the foundation of their practice.

Recognizing and knowing our lineage does not restrict us in an ‘ostrich mentality’ that we close our mind to other knowledge and school understanding. In fact it gives us more advantages when we know what works and what doesn’t and at the same time we can also research on the applicability of a principle in different time and situation.
 
 It is easy to say that we are all genius and figure it out on our own. Or we are solely a ‘researcher’. That is possible if you just read a lot of books and attend a few classes here and there. And write articles for majority of readers who are still novices in their knowledge and skill level in Feng Shui.

For me, I have committed to study under Master Lau and also he has recognize me to be a part of the Han Wu Feng Shui Lineage as a disciple ‘tu di’, so it will be disrespectful for me to say that I know Feng Shui because I am smart and have research it.

Imagine the insult to him with me forming up International San Yuan Feng Shui Academy and to teach a knowledge which I have acquired from him and put the credit all to myself.

So this article will also shed some light about where our lineage comes from and also how it ended up to this day.

During the Han Dynasty in China, all officials of the court are required to study Chinese Metaphysics under the emperor’s tutor. Because of the ease of learning it was called the ‘Han Yi’ Clan.

Those with the surname ‘Lau’(in Cantonese) or ‘Liu’ (in Mandarin) in the court were   relatives of Emperor.  Access to the emperor’s tutor was immediate and easy and they would call themselves the ‘Han Wu’ Clan. Among the most outstanding of the Lau surname was Liu Chen  He excelled not only in Chinese Metaphysics and at the same time he was a highly cultivated Taoist.

After the fall of Han Dynasty and during the Three Kingdoms period. 6 particular surname was targeted for elimination – Lau , Kuan , Cheung, Chien, Ma and Wong. Liu Chen escape towards South China from Shandong to LiYang and his descendent move furthest to Fujianat the end of Ming Dynasty. In between the knowledge was passed on from father to sons, but there was no one in particular who was outstanding in Chinese Metaphysics until the Tang Dynasty.

At the end of Tang Dynasty, Master Yang Jun Song (AD 22) has a scholarly assistant by the name of Lau Kong Tong . At that time Master Yang with Lau Kong Tong was traveling to Jiang Xilooking for a good place to settle down. Both teacher and assistant arrive at Jiu Jiang then after a few months walk to Ji An. The place was selected because it has good water and mountain formation. It was during his journey here, Master Yang brought two classics which are TIAN JI JUE and SAN YUAN JING .

Ji An did in fact produce a number of famous personality of polititians, militarist and also famous business figures. Among them were Chairman Mao’s ancestor - Mao Tai Hwa, first generation of Tangfamily of Hong Kong and of course Deng Xiao Ping’s hometown.

Those interested in this historical proof can be found at Jiang Xi Yi Jing Cultural Center which is recorded in 4 Volume – namely

Jiang Xi Yi Wen Zhi     (Jiang Xi Cultural Notes)
    Yang Jiu Pin Lie Chuan(Story of Master Yang Saving the Poor)
    Liu Jiang Dong Xing Zhi( The Traveling Journal of Lau Kong Tong)
    Xue Nei Xiao Si  (The News Within Qi Point)

After 8 years Master Yang then arrived at Xin Guo Xian he has officially taken Zhang Man Sui as student. Zhang has a good friend who is a Feng Shui practitioner by the name of Liu Yu from Lok Ping . 3 person has build three simple houses and live next to each other. It is also the famous 1st Feng Shui Village called Sam Liu Chuen. Surname of Yang, Zhang, Liu – 3 famous surnames.

Then why not the surname Lau was regarded as being one of the surnames of accomplished Feng Shui Master. In the end, Lau Kong Tong is still a scholarly assistant to Master Yang. Therefore his name was not as famous as others in the historical records. Even though his skill is above Zhang, he did not have an independent home in that village.

After another 4 years, Master Yang decided to traveled to East, passing through Fujian. Then he ordered Lau Kong Tong back to Jiang Xi to pick herbs as medicine. During the course of Lau picking herbs, he inhaled poisonous gas and was saved by a local Feng Shui practitioner named Lai Tang San .

With absolute gratitude of being saved by Lai, he(Lau Kong Tong) decided to teach all he knows in Chinese Metaphysics to him. Lai Tang San has a son, named Lai Fong Kong also known as Man Chun. His nickname by the locals was Bo Yi. He later became the famous Feng Shui Master Lai Bo Yi

Whereby during the Tang Dynasty, 4 famous surnames stood out as famous Feng Shui Masters which are Yang, Zhang, Liu and Lai.

Lau Kong Tong and Lau Seng@Liu Chen can be traced in the family clan books of Grandmaster Lau’s family.

Right until the 70th generation of the Han Wu Lineage, Feng Shui knowledge was traditionally only passed from father to son(s), daughters are not allowed to learn it. Today, under Grandmaster Lau Kai Chi (71st Generation of Han Wu under the lineage title of ‘HAY’) he decided to teach those outside of the family name.

In the year 2000, Han Wu Lineage had more than 1800 students under Grandmaster Lau in Hong Kong. Only about 100 students had qualified as expert or master practitioner. And out of 100 only 60 has been officially recognized and conferred by Grandmaster Lau with lineage title of ‘KONG 72 Generation of Han Wu Lineage. This author has received this recognition from Grandmaster Lau.

Official recognition as 72 Generation Han Wu Lineage.

That is the origin of our lineage with clear records to trace when and whom the knowledge has been acquired. Unlike those that written ‘smart’ or ‘biased’ articles about our lineage, perhaps are not even clear about where their ‘knowledge’ comes from.

What about you?