The Praying Mantis system is about 180 years old. It was created by Sam Dart, a monk of the Jook Lum (Bamboo Forest) Buddhist monastery. Sam Dart taught his system to Lee Siem, a fellow monk. Chung Yu Chang was one of the first laymen to learn the system from Abbot Lee Siem. Lum Wing Fay, the fourth Master, was a student of Chung Yu Chang.

The fifth Master, Gin Foon Mark, began his study of Tong Long Pai in the Jook Lum Temple in Kwong Sai. He continued his studies of Praying Mantis in the United States under Lum Wing Fay for ten more years. When Master Lum retired, he designated Mark to be his successor in accordance with established tradition. The retirement of Master Lum and the inauguration of Master Mark was witnessed by over 200 prominent members of Chinese Associations at a huge banquet held at the Atlantic Ocean restaurant in New York. To commemorate this event a photo of the 5 disciples was taken (see the photo gallery). Sifu Mark received Master Lum's Spri (altar) with its cups, bowls, fans, stamps, and other artifacts.