Grand Master Zheng Manqing. "The Old Child Who Never Tires of Learning" (1901 - 1975).

The following is a translation of Grand Master Cheng's funerary book, transliterated from classical Chinese by Mrs Cheng and translated into English by Tam C. Gibbs.

In past history, if a scholar mastered a single subject, then others could study it from him. That scholar could then as a teacher, connect the students with the sages of the past. Many years ago, a certain Cheng Kuan-wen was acknowledged as being widely knowledgeable and was dubbed san-chuen, having achieved excellence in 3 fields (poetry, calligraphy and painting). Down the ages it was lamented that there have been so few like him.

Now Professor Cheng excelled in 5 fields: poetry, painting, calligraphy, taijiquan and medicine. He was famous the world over for these attainments. He also studied deeply the teachings of former sages and was such a prolific writer that he did not realise old age was creeping up on him. Professor Cheng surpassed the accomplishments of Cheng Kuan-wen. People who believe him to be the most outstanding individual in Chinese cultural history in this century may not be exaggerating. ...more