Yellow Bamboo as a Martial Art

Despite a known fact that the founder of Yellow Bamboo,  Pak Serengen,  was a teacher of Balinese Silat,  the art of Yellow Bamboo has nothing to do with the usual forms of martial arts such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Jujitsu, boxing, Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, wrestling and so forth.  

Yellow Bamboo is a form of Balinese mysticism and spiritual path.  As such,  it involves meditation, healing, wellbeing, psychic protection, physical protection etc.  via the skill of internal energy/power, mental focus and concentration, meditative stability, spiritual skill, meritorious virtue, and belief in God, deities, ancestors, and spirits.

Yellow Bamboo is not a martial art,  and its teachings are not designed to engage in fights, combat, confrontations or conflicts.  In other words, it is definitely not a martial art.  

As a spiritual path,  the founder, Pak Serengen,  stressed that the way of Yellow Bamboo is the way of peace, harmony and love,  so that all Yellow Bamboo practitioners will serve God.  Pak Serengen stressed that members should not test other systems,  nor volunteer to be tested by others.  Pak Serengen stressed that Yellow Bamboo practitioners should perform the “test of power” of falling attackers only amongst the members because it is part of the practice and development of the energy development of Yellow Bamboo.  

Pak Serengen stressed that the “test of power” also adds to the skill of internal energy development.  Demonstrating the use of energy in the practice sessions is to increase the belief and trust of the members in the initial stages and not for entertainment or the acquisition of prestige. It is not meant as a test to show off.  Pak Serengen warned that abuse of such powers,  since they are not the aims and principles of Yellow Bamboo,  will backfire,  and the power and abilities may not work. Thus,  Pak Serengen advised not to confront with non Yellow Bamboo people who wish to engage in tests an proof.  

Written by John Chow

17 October 2004