Buddha Zhen Inducted into USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame

Richard Del Connor, "Kung Fu Cowboy," receives "Tai Chi Teacher of the Year" award.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tustin, CA (SHAOLIN COMMUNICATIONS) May 21, 2016--Buddha Kung Fu was launched in 2008 with the publication of Buddha Kung Fu Student Manual by Zhen Shen-Lang (Chinese name of Richard Del Connor, "Buddha Zhen"). Curriculums are from the Shaolin Chi Mantis Traditional Buddhist Gongfu system founded 1992 by Buddha Zhen. Students start with a white Chinese sash and add ten blue stripes to it to complete the Buddha Kung Fu program in four years.

Richard Del Connor has been popular as the "Kung Fu Cowboy" of the movie series bearing his moniker. A crowdfunding campaign to finance a short film from the Kung Fu Cowboy: Zombie Killer screenplay was unsuccessful earlier this year. In 2015, the screenplay, Kung Fu Cowboy: Rock & Roll Movie 1, received a first place prize at the International Action on Film Festival.

Richard graduated the Tai Mantis Federation Kung Fu programs in 1984 and began teaching Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu that same year, as a hobby. In 1992, hired by the Utah Governor to teach his Tai Chi in a maximum security prison, Richard organized his curriculums and founded Shaolin Chi Mantis Traditional Buddhist Gongfu. This school incorporated mostly the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Northern Praying Mantis, and Yang Style Tai Chi that was taught in the Torrance school Richard attended from 1981 through 1984.

In 1996, while teaching in prisons, rehabilitation centers, high schools, and several churches: Tai Chi Youth. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated the curriculums of Richard Del Connor that had been tested and proven in the schools and prisons.

Receiving these awards and public appearances of the "Kung Fu Cowboy" inspired some members of the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame to nominate Richard Del Connor to be inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. This prestigious organization was founded by Chuck Norris in the 1970s and includes the most famous, established, or traditional inheritors of the many martial arts schools founded internationally.

Budda Kung Fu is a sole-proprietorship of Richard Del Connor. This school was founded in 2008 with the mission of being "doable for Americans." For students wanting traditional Chinese weapons not taught in the Tai Chi Youth programs, or not interested in being initiated into the Shaolin Chi Mantis Traditional Buddhist Gongfu schools--Buddha Kung Fu is a secular program combining Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Yang Tai Chi, and teachings of Confucius, Lao Tzu and Bodhidharma without involving membership in Taoism or Buddhism.

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CONTACT:
Richard Del Connor, CEO
Shaolin Communications
2816 Honolulu Ave.
Verdugo City, CA 91046
818-723-2769