The White Crane Fist (Pak Hok Pai) originated in Tibet. A buddhist monk named Adator witnessed a fight between an Ape and a Crane. Despite it’s advantages in size and strength, the Ape lost the battle when it was blinded by the beak of the crane.

Using the insight gained from this event, Adator created a style he named Lion’s Roar. The name paid homage to a legend associated with the birth of the Buddha, and also proclaimed his belief that he had created a superior martial style.

He in turn passed the art to Do Lo Gut Lan, who adds forms (Toa Kuen) to the system, as well as knowledge of herbal techniques. He named this expanded system White Crane.

The next leader was Sing Lung Jung Lo, who moved the system from Tibet to southern China, along with five Buddhist practitioners. He also taught White Crane to five non-Buddhists, nicknamed the “five gentleman”. At his death Jow Je Yu, one of the five gentlemen, became the next leader.

Ng Sui Jung received the leadership from Jow Je Yu, having studied under both him and a master named Won Lam Hoi. Renowned as a fighter and herbal doctor throughout China, Ng Sui Jung was the first master to allow White Crane martial arts to be taught publically, and to students of other than Chinese descent. His top student, Kwoon Poon Fu, became the leader of the Pak Hok Pai after Ng Sui Jung died.

Vincent Chow (Chow Chung Yu) is the current leader of White Crane Gung Fu, having received the leadership when Kwoon Poon Fu passed away in 2007. His top student, Barry Adkins, runs the White Crane Martial Arts school in Kamloops.