Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo

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Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo
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BornApril 1927
Jiangsu Province, China
DiedOctober 12, 2018
NationalityChinese
CitizenshipChina
Alma materNational Taiwan University
OccupationProponent of T’ai-chi ch’uan

Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo (Ben Lo) (April 1927 - October 12, 2018) was a proponent of T’ai-chi ch’uan (Tàijíquán) in the United States. Lo was a student of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing (Zheng Manqing), translated several influential Tàijíquán books into English, and was a teacher in his own right.

Biography

Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo was born in Jiangsu Province, China.[1] In 1948, he and family moved to Taiwan. In 1949, when Lo was ill, his father sent him to see Cheng Man-ch'ing, a well-known artist and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. Lo was not well enough to be treated with traditional herbs, so Cheng recommended he study T'ai Chi to build up his strength. Lo began studying with him and continued to study and practice T’ai-chi for the rest of his life.[2]

Lo graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in Chinese literature. He then worked in the government, and later completed a master's in public administration at National Chengchi University.[1]

In 1974, with Cheng's encouragement, Lo moved to San Francisco, where he began teaching Tàijíquán, establishing the Universal T'ai Chi Ch'uan studio. Along with teaching there, he traveled around the United States, Holland, Sweden and elsewhere in Europe, as well as Israel and Taiwan, holding workshops and camps for thousands of students. Lo was a staunch defender of Cheng's teachings and reputation. Lo often summarized his teaching into "Five basic principles for the development of good Tai Chi Ch'uan skills .... 1) Relaxation. 2) Separating Ying from Yang. 3) Turning the waist. 4) Keeping the body upright. And 5) Maintaining the hand like a beautiful lady's hand."[3] Above all, he emphasized the need for practice.

Robert W. Smith (writer), another martial artist and Tàijíquán proponent, wrote that Lo was "the best example of Zheng's (Cheng's) teaching in the U.S., and possibly the world."[4]

Lo passed away in San Francisco on October 12, 2018.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Davis, Donald D.; Mann, Lawrence L. (1996). "Conservator of the Taiji Classics: An Interview with Benjamin Pangjeng Lo" (PDF). Journal of Asian Martial Arts. 5 (4). ISSN 1057-8358. OCLC 920388667. Republished in DeMarco, Michael A.; LaFredo, T. G., eds. (2015). "Conservator of the Taiji Classics: An Interview with Benjamin Pangjeng Lo". Cheng Man-ch'ing and T'ai Chi: Echoes in the Hall of Happiness. Sante Fe, NM, US: Via Media Publishing. pp. 148–162. ISBN 978-1893765061.
  2. Davis, Barbara (18 October 2018). "In Memory: Benjamin Lo". Taijiquan Journal. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  3. Chen, David (2001). "Five principles of good Tai Chi Ch'uan skills, and interview with Mr. Benjamin Lo of San Francisco". Wuwei Tai Chi Club. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  4. Smith, Robert (1999). "Ben Lo: Modest Man, True Taiji". Martial Musings: A Portrayal of Martial Arts in the 20th Century. Erie, PA, US: Via Media Publishing Company. p. 296. ISBN 978-1-893765-00-9. OCLC 1285659619 – via Internet Archive.

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