Tested On Students
Starting with his prison programs at Decker Lake Prison, Buddha Zhen Shen Lang, Spirit Wolf of Truth, was soon hired at several rehabilitation centers. Born, Richard Del Connor, Buddha Zhen was able to pass the high level F.B.I. security screenings to teach in prisons and government centers. Richard already knew he'd pass, since he'd worked in the Wayside Prison during 1986 and 1987 as a journeyman carpenter. Richard Connor also passed the highest level security screening when he was trained as the new locksmith for the Wayside Prison.
The first students that used this book were the inmate students of Decker Lake Prison, in 1992. Buddha Zhen was adamant that every class HAD TO INCLUDE group readings. These readings and discussions are as vital to Tai Chi development as dancing on your feet. The mind must be trained. The mind must be taught. The mind must learn to follow. The mind must learn to lead.
This first semester of inmate students showed such a noticeable improvement in skills of all sorts that the prison officials created a petition and persuaded the Utah Governor, Michael Leavitt to hire Richard O'Connor to teach Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu in their prison. So the Governor contracted Buddha Zhen and paid him directly.
Then, hired by the YWCA, Continuing Education Department, and Phoenix University, Master Zhen required all students to read and discuss the Tai Chi Beginner book in class. This feedback between the students and Master Zhen helped to refine the book as Master Zhen added in information to make it better, and designed a Teacher Curriculum with comments to add to the class group discussions.
Also hired by four elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Master Zhen was able to see how the book was understood by students of all ages ranging from 6 to 86.
After founding Shaolin Chi Mantis Traditional Buddhist Gongfu in 1992, Master Zhen founded the nonprofit organization, Tai Chi Youth, in 1996. Then, in January of 2008, Buddha Kung Fu was launched.
