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Introduction
Whether you are an
instructor currently teaching, a student or practitioner, or simply an
individual who is genuinely interested in learning more about Bruce
Lee or his martial art and philosophy, the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
Nucleus' goal remains the same: to help people around the world to
gain a better understanding of both Bruce Lee and his art and
philosophy. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is a non-profit educational
organization established for the purpose of promoting understanding
through providing the means for those seeking information about the
art of Bruce Lee.
The
Organization
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is a non-profit corporation formed for the sole
purpose of preserving and perpetuating Bruce Lee's art and philosophy
which he called Jeet Kune Do. Its existence began in Seattle,
Washington on January 10, 1996 when Linda Lee Cadwell invited many of
Bruce Lee's students among others to discuss the state of her late
husband's martial art with her and Shannon, their daughter. Its Board
of Directors is the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus and is currently
comprised of 13 original students, 5 second generation students, Bruce
Lee's widow and daughter.
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do functions as an educational organization to inform
the martial arts community and the public worldwide about Bruce Lee's
body of work. The Nucleus feels that Bruce Lee's philosophy and way of
life represent an inspiring model of thought and can motivate others
to develop their full physical and spiritual potential. In order to
maintain the integrity of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, the Nucleus wants to
give a clear and accurate picture of Bruce Lee's evolution in the
martial arts.
It is this set of basic technical, scientific, and philosophical
principles - the foundation of Bruce Lee's art - that the Jun Fan Jeet
Kune Do Nucleus seeks to preserve. Ideally, every person who
understands the basic principles of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do should end up
expressing himself uniquely, that is, he or she will absorb techniques
that are personally useful and reject what is unsuitable while adding
what is specifically their own. When that individual reaches the stage
of artlessness, or the height of simplicity, then truly they will have
found their own expression of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, different from
anyone else's. But one cannot reach that pinnacle without having
assembled the building blocks.
The Nucleus decided that Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do would be an organization
established for the purpose of promoting understanding through
providing the means for those seeking information about the art of
Bruce Lee. The Nucleus plans to implement its educational program by
means of seminars, group and individual instruction, and the
publishing of written, visual, and audio materials. Towards this end,
the Nucleus will build a membership of persons skilled and
knowledgeable in Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do who will form the vanguard of
the future and will continue the pattern of growth toward greater
spiritual awareness initiated by Bruce Lee.
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
is a non-profit corporation. Any revenue received by the organization
through seminars, memberships, publications will be utilized to
further the educational goals of the corporation. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
(JFJKD) is a trademarked name and cannot be used legitimately by any
persons unauthorized to do so by the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus. Jun
Fan Jeet Kune Do is not associated with any other organization using
the name Jeet Kune Do.
Goals
The stated goals of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus are as follows:
- To
promote and perpetuate the art of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do and to
foster respect for its founder, Bruce Jun Fan Lee.
- To
disseminate information to the martial arts community and the
public about the art and science of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do based
upon Bruce Lee's written notes and records and the personal
experiences of his original students.
- To
serve as a living repository of all of the various aspects of Jun
Fan Jeet Kune Do, including physical/technical training,
historical foundation, scientific basis and philosophical/mental
spiritual learning.
- To
maintain high standards of clarity with regard to the
dissemination of information concerning the art and its founder.
- To
establish a Code of Ethics calling for mutual respect between
members and for instructors and practitioners of other martial
arts disciplines.
To give recognition to
legitimate instructors and practitioners of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
The
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Name
A major resolution was adopted (January 10-11, 1996) concerning the name
of the art in order to quell the confusion which currently exists.
Shannon Lee Keasler suggested that the terms Jun Fan and Jeet Kune Do
be combined to represent her father's art from this day forward. By
unanimous agreement, the term "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do" was
chosen.
Since it was agreed
that both Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do cannot and should not be
separated, it was decided that the two terms should be combined. In
this way, the Nucleus would distinguish the complete body of technical
and philosophical knowledge studied and taught by Bruce Lee during his
lifetime. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is unique in its approach to the study
of combative arts in that it combines martial aspects with an
encompassing philosophy and a scientific basis. Hence, Jun Fan Jeet
Kune Do is all-encompassing in that it endeavors to cover all of the
various facets of Bruce Lee's art, philosophy, and history.
Points
of Clarification
January 1, 1997
Since the formation of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus in January 1996,
a great deal of misinformation has been circulated concerning our
organization and what it is all about. Most of this misinformation has
been in the form of speculation and rumor. It has been the position of
the Nucleus not to respond, but instead to maintain a positive stance
as we move forward. If you are interested in finding out what the
Nucleus is all about, read the following information:
The JFJKD Nucleus is a synergistic group of original students of Bruce
Lee and second generation students united together and dedicated to
preserving and perpetuating Bruce Lee's legacy as a martial artist,
teacher, and philosopher.
The Charter Members of the Nucleus included:
Linda Lee Cadwell, Shannon Lee Keasler, Taky Kimura, Allen Joe, George
Lee, Bob Bremer, Richard Bustillo, Steve Golden, Larry Hartsell, Dan
Inosanto, Herb Jackson, Pete Jacobs, Daniel Lee, Jerry Poteet, Ted
Wong, Greglon Lee, Chris Kent, Tim Tackett, and John Little.
Notes: -- Dan Inosanto has since chosen not to play an active role in the
Nucleus. However, he is recognized and highly regarded by the Nucleus
as an instructor of JFJKD.
-- In August, 1996, following a unanimous vote, Tommy Gong was invited to
become a member of the Nucleus.
The Nucleus would like to clarify our position on the following points:
1) The Nucleus does not certify instructors to teach JFJKD or test those
who are currently teaching Jeet Kune Do, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jun Fan
Martial Arts or any other art. Our function is to serve as an
educational and inspirational organization, to act as a living
repository or information about Bruce Lee and his art, and to promote
personal excellence and growth. We do not see ourselves as the only
group of people having this goal, and we welcome the combination of
synergistic energies between the Inosanto Association, the Nucleus and
all others having a desire to see Bruce Lee's work perpetuated.
Greater progress can be made by working together rather than in
opposition.
2) The Nucleus will recognize (not certify) qualified instructors of
JFJKD. Recognition means that the Nucleus acknowledges that an
individual has a high degree of scholarship in JFJKD. Individuals are
recommended for recognition by their instructors. Recognition is not
the equivalent of a license to teach JFJKD; that privilege is granted
between instructor and student. The sole purpose of this recognition
process for JFJKD is to serve as a reference source when interested
persons ask for information about the art and philosophy of Bruce Lee.
Beyond that, we have no interest in criticizing or making judgments
about the abilities of instructors or the value of other arts.
3) The Nucleus has no desire to diminish the importance of contributions
made by Dan Inosanto or any other individual to Jeet Kune Do. We hope
you remember that when the name, the goals, and the Code of Ethics of
JFJKD were established, Dan Inosanto was present and took an active
role in its formation. It was Dan's choice to resign from the group,
and upon leaving he stated that we share the common goal of protecting
and preserving Bruce's art. He wished the Nucleus well and hoped that
unfortunate political controversies could be put to rest. This is our
most earnest hope.
4) The Nucleus has high regard for Dan Inosanto. Regardless of what you
may have heard, the Nucleus respects Dan Inosanto as a skilled and
knowledgeable martial artist, as Bruce's assistant instructor in the
L.A. Chinatown School, and as sifu of many Nucleus members. In fact,
several Nucleus members were certified in Jeet Kune Do or Jun Fan Gung
Fu under Dan Inosanto and have taught classes for Dan. This
certification plus their personal experience with Bruce Lee only
enhances the contribution they can make to preserving his art. In
addition, some Nucleus members did receive certificates of various
levels of accomplishment directly from Bruce Lee. It is unfortunate
that Dan Inosanto decided not to be a part of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
Nucleus because we recognize that his contribution and that of many of
his students is of great value. The contribution of all students of
Jeet Kune Do should be combined for the benefit to future generations.
5) Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is a registered non-profit corporation; any
charges for services and events will only cover expenses and cannot,
by law, enrich any members of the organization. The name Jun Fan Jeet
Kune Do was chosen to differentiate it from all other teachings and
interpretations of Jeet Kune Do, of which there are many around the
world. Our desire is that the term Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do should refer
only to the teaching of Bruce Lee and not to expanded interpretations
of his art by individual practitioners, be they members of the Nucleus
or not.
In summary, JFJKD seeks only to do its part in sharing and recording the
experiences of its members. We have no intention of diminishing,
stopping, criticizing, or judging anyone else's contribution to
Bruce's art. As stated at our inaugural meeting in January 1996 in
Seattle, our purpose is to bring people together to share the
knowledge and experience.
In the Spirit of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do,
The Jun Fan Jeet Kune
Do Nucleus
©
The Bruce Lee Educational Foundation
All rights reserved
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