34th-Generation Shaolin Disciple
Master Zhu
Shifu Zhu Qiguo · Master Zhu Qiguo
“When it comes to Shaolin kung fu, Master Zhu is the real deal — he trained at the Shaolin Temple in China for over a decade.”
The Pagoda Forest (塔林) at Shaolin Temple — the most sacred site of the monastery
The Beginning
A 4-Year-Old Boy
Who Watched Jet Li and Decided
“From age 4 or 5, I watched Chinese movies on TV. Seeing Jet Li fight, I thought it was so cool — Jet Li was my hero. That's when I decided to enter Shaolin.”
At age 7, young Zhu Qiguo travelled to the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song (嵩山) in Dengfeng, Henan Province, and began 11 years of intense kung fu training, from age 7 to 18.
He learned hundreds of empty-hand forms, all 18 weapons, the art of lightness (qinggong), inner energy (qigong), and the animal forms — tiger, deer, monkey, bird — and, most important of all, meditation.
After completing his training, he won the Hong Kong International Wushu Competition, then came to Thailand to share authentic Shaolin kung fu for more than 16 years.
Life at the Shaolin Temple
The 11 Years That Turned a Boy Into a Master
Boarding School
He lived at the temple year-round, returning home only once a year for Chinese New Year. In the first year he was homesick, cried, and wanted to go home — but in the years that followed he grew confident and learned to endure.
Three Hardships
- 1.Homesickness — crying, wanting to go home
- 2.Aching all over — the body not yet conditioned
- 3.A vegetarian diet only — Shaolin observes the precepts and allows no meat
Horse Stance 马步
The punishment stance everyone has endured — legs spread, sinking down as if sitting on a chair that isn't there, for half an hour to an hour. Time was kept with an incense stick: stop only when it burned out.
“The punishment, really, was to train our discipline — and to build the strength of our legs as well.”
Order of Teaching
At Shaolin, kung fu isn't taught right away — the mind is taught first: meditation, discipline, patience. Only then are the basics of kung fu gradually introduced.
100% Discipline
“If you study kung fu, you must commit — you must give it 100%.”
The master sets a deadline — for example, one month to master a form. If you can't do it, two fellow students help correct your posture, with a staff on hand to keep you in line.
The Final Exam
In the past: you had to pass the 18 Arhats — facing 18 kung fu masters one by one, each with their own specialty.
Today: the head master conducts the exam, assessing forms, weapons, and the mind.
Philosophy
“Nei Wai Shuang Xiu”
内外双修 — Train the inner, train the outer, develop both together
“Kung fu isn't something we train in order to fight others. It is knowledge that lets us fight ourselves — fight our own mind, fight our own body — so that we can conquer ourselves.”
— Master Zhu, The Martial Master
Kung Fu Was Born for Health, Not Combat
Shaolin kung fu was born over 1,500 years ago, from monks who meditated so long their backs ached. They developed exercises by observing wild animals — tiger, deer, monkey, bird — which grew into a complete system for both body and mind.
The Mind Leads Energy, Energy Leads the Body
“The root is in the legs, it rises through the calves, it turns at the waist — like a dance.” Master Zhu always teaches meditation first; once the mind is ready, the movements and techniques follow naturally.
Meditation and Kung Fu Must Be One
“Kung fu and meditation must become one (禅武合一). If they cannot become one, you will never be able to train.” It isn't merely exercise — it is training the mind through the body.
How He Teaches
Not Teaching Just Anyone
Who Pays
Master Zhu observes a new student's character for 1 to 3 months before teaching them seriously. If he sees a good heart, he teaches them at once. But if he suspects they would use it to harm others — he refuses
“I rarely speak Thai; I speak Chinese, and let people try to think for themselves — to follow with their own eyes, with their own heart.”
He teaches by showing, not by long explanations, because he believes kung fu must be learned through observation and understanding from within.
The Culture of “Fu” (父 = father)
At Shaolin, students call their master “Fu,” meaning father — because from ages 7 to 17 they live apart from their parents, so the master becomes a second father.
“A student told me, 'Shifu, I want to be better than you.' I said, that's right — if you don't surpass me, it means I taught you poorly.”
With a senior monk at Shaolin Temple — Master Zhu still returns regularly to keep learning
Real vs. the Movies
“In Films They Make It Over-the-Top,
to Look Grander”
Master Zhu never claims to do anything supernatural. He explains plainly what is real and what is a stunt — and it's this honesty that makes him so credible.
Wall-running, 3–9 steps
Genuinely trainable — airborne for 3–4 seconds
Snuffing a candle with a punch
Using speed and the power of breath energy — the host tried it and put it out
Breath energy (qi)
Genuinely increases striking force — the host clearly felt the difference in power
Jumping up one storey
Genuinely trainable, through leg power and qinggong technique
Flying like in the movies
That's wires, not kung fu
Firing destructive energy from afar
Not real — the movies exaggerate it
A kung fu form before the temple hall 千古岳秀 — a real skill, not a stunt
A 1,500-Year Legacy
The Oldest Martial Art in the World
Shaolin kung fu has been passed down for over 1,500 years — from the Damo Cave (where Bodhidharma meditated for 9 years) to a classroom in Bangkok.
18 Weapons
Staff, sword, broadsword, spear, fan and other ancient weapons — most martial artists master just 1 or 2, but a Shaolin practitioner must train all 18
Animal Forms
Tiger, deer, monkey, bird — developed by monks who observed wild animals around the temple, each form with its own combat principles
Qinggong (轻功)
The art of lightness — wall-running, high jumps, floating. Not magic, but physics plus years of training
Qigong (气功)
Inner energy that adds striking power and resilience, gathering force from the dantian (丹田) — not just arm muscle
See the Real Skills of Master Zhu
From the show Krajok Hok Dan — animal forms, drunken boxing, weapons, and tai chi
11yrs
years training at Shaolin
18
weapons mastered
16+yrs
years teaching in Thailand
1,000+
students
50+
shows & TV appearances
Changing Kids' Lives
“Like Making Merit”
“Parents tell me their kids are better — they hardly play video games at home anymore. Some weren't very healthy, then came to study and grew stronger. It makes us happy to do this — it's like making merit.”
Many students change noticeably — quitting their gaming habit, gaining discipline, focus, and good health. Master Zhu even takes his most dedicated students to train at the Shaolin Temple for 1–2 months over the school break.
Back from China
“Tanned, leaner, but taller, stronger, and far more responsible in life.”
Master Zhu with his young students at Shaolin Temple — taken to train in China over the break
Why Thailand
“Thailand Is My Second Home”
A Buddhist Country
He felt it would be better to teach Shaolin kung fu here, because Buddhism is the foundation of Shaolin
Kind-Hearted People
He had taught in America and England, but loves Asia, and loves the kindness of Thai people
So Many Temples
“Thailand has so many temples — I really love a country like this.”
“I'll stay on as long as I can. In another 10 to 20 years, I hope I'll still be teaching here in Thailand.”
A Lifelong Student
Why Still Return to Shaolin Temple?
“Because I was born there. First, to visit my master. Second, to come back and learn more.”
Even after teaching for over 16 years, Master Zhu has never considered himself “graduated.” He returns to train at the Shaolin Temple regularly, because he believes kung fu is a journey that never ends.
The Martial Master Series
An in-depth 4-part documentary on the life of Master Zhu
The Journey of Master Zhu
Entered the Shaolin Temple
At age 7, he travelled to the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan Province, inspired by Jet Li's films since the age of 4
Completed 11 Years of Training
Finished his training in empty-hand forms, the 18 weapons, the art of lightness (qinggong), inner energy (qigong), animal forms, and meditation
International Kung Fu Champion
Won the Hong Kong International Wushu Competition
Began Teaching in Thailand
Opened classes in authentic Shaolin kung fu in Bangkok, teaching both Thais and foreigners
Featured Across the Country
Kon Berk Thang · Krahai Lao · The Martial Master · Channels 3, 5, 7, 9 · Sahamongkol Film · over 50 performances
Thai-Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu School
At Interchange 21 near BTS Asok · over 1,000 students · still returning to train at Shaolin Temple regularly
Media & Performances
Invited onto TV shows and performances across the country
“If you don't have the focus to stay with it,
if you don't have the focus to train,
then you can never conquer yourself.”
— Master Zhu