月山館

For bodhisattvas who see selflessness, all phenomena – what is cut, the cutter, the time of the cutting, the method of the cutting, and so on – are seen to be like a reflection. Therefore, they have patience. [9th Karmapa]

Inner Dharma and Moon Mountain Hall are an activity concerned with the development of skill at internal martial arts as influenced by Taoist and Esoteric Buddhist body mind practices.

It was after visiting Gassan Dai-jinja and Haguro Shugen Honshu Kotaku-ji Shozen-in in 2005 that I made the decision to focus my training efforts exclusively on classical and traditional martial arts even if it meant giving up on teaching modern Aikido-influenced goshin-jutsu. The name of my current school ( 月山館 ) can alternatively be read as Yueshan-guan in Mandarin and Gassankan in Japanese; it is inspired by the three sacred mountains of Dewa, where I made that decision.

I have practiced internal martial arts since 2004. In 2015 I became a formal lineal student of internal martial arts as part of Yin Cheng Gong Fa North America under Zhang Yun laoshi, who studied under the late Grandmaster Wang Peisheng. My primary martial arts practices include Yin style Bāguà ( 尹派八卦 ), Hebei Xíngyì ( 河北形意 ) and Northern Wu style Tàijí ( 吴式太極 ).

I also have studied several approaches to classical Japanese swordsmanship. I trained with the Katori Shintō-ryū group hosted at Capital Aikikai before I moved to Seattle, reaching the level of mokuroku. I also studied Kashima-shinden Jikishinkage-ryū at the Hōbyōkan, reaching the level of chuden. After visiting the root temple of Honzan-ha Shugendo in 2024, I renewed my dedication to continuing my swordsmanship practice with the emphasis of cultivating mindfulness and awareness through shugyō ( 修行 ). I call the result shin-no-shinkage heihō ( 真之神陰兵法 ) — I work with a small number of people on the practice, analysis and refinement of these methods. Tōsha Dōjō is an introductory study group in Seattle led by two gentlemen I mentor.

I maintain a practice of Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga alongside Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) Buddhism. I studied yoga at Midtown Yoga (Charm City Yoga) in Baltimore and completed teacher training under Kim Manfredi in 2007. I taught in Fells Point and Towson until 2011. That year I attended the Kalachakra Empowerment for World Peace in Washington DC. In 2024 and 2025, I attended teacher training in the coordination of Hatha Yoga and Vajrayana to both rededicate myself to my practice and join with a larger community or sangha with similar positive intent.

This site contains some essays on traditional martial arts and culture, recommended reading, and photography from martial arts events and travels. I may be reached at the email address below.

Mark Raugas