The style of Kung Fu that I study originated in Northern China, in the Shaolin Monastery. It’s been passed down from teacher to student for a long time, and its true origins and history are shrouded in some mystery. I’ve found that the influence of the Shaolin Monastery’s surroundings is of little significance when it comes to both geography and the surrounding plants and animals. I found that customs are passed down from generation to generation, and that multiple philosophies contributed to the development of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.
The first conclusion my research has led me to is that while the geography had some influence over the development of Kung Fu, that influence was negligible. In one of his lectures at Peter Kwok’s Kung Fu Academy, Sifu Randy Elia stated that the style of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu taught at the school uses deep stances and wide, sweeping movements. This is because the northern temples had enough space to have a strong footing (Elia, 1). A lot of the forms take advantage of the large space and firm ground that surrounds the Shaolin monastery, which is “nestled between two mountains” (“Ming-Period” 367). Hua Chuan I, for example, takes up about fifteen square feet, and the form accompaniment to the weapon Bo Staff takes up about twenty square feet. Meir Shahar talks about the Shaolin Monastery’s placement in both of the articles I’ve cited. He mentions that the Shaolin Monastery was based in the mountains, and when they were attacked, only the Numinous Stupa remained because “The mountain spirits blessed it..” (Epigraphy, 19). This shows that the geography, namely the mountains, had an effect on the development of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, but did not affect its development.
The plants and animals tha...
... middle of paper ...
...ces, forms, customs, etc. are passed down from generation to generation. Plants and animals had very little effect on the development of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and neither did the geography surrounding the Shaolin Monastery. Most of the philosophy that influences Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is Confucian philosophy.
Works Cited
Elia, Randy. Peter Kwok’s Kung Fu Academy. Masonic Temple Lodge, Westwood, NJ. 17 March 2014. n.p.
Henning, Stanley E. "The Chinese Martial Arts in Historical Perspective." Military Affairs 45.4 (1981): 173-79. JSTOR. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.
Shahar, Meir. "Epigraphy, Buddhist Historiography, and Fighting Monks: The Case of The Shaolin Monastery." Asia Major 13.2 (2000): 15-36. JSTOR. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.
Shahar, Meir. "Ming-Period Evidence of Shaolin Martial Practice." Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 61.2 (2001): 359-413. JSTOR. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.
The film’s protagonist is Po, a panda that, from the beginning, does not appear to be capable of doing anything heroic. As in the hero myth outline stated by Leger, Po comes from a “mundane world, doing mundane things” (Seger 312). He works in his father’s noodle shop and although he admires those that practice Kung Fu, he does not have any martial arts training of his own. But Po is content with
Smarr, Janet. “Emperor Wu”. Making of the Modern World 12. Ledden Auditorium, La Jolla, CA. 17 Feb. 2012. Lecture.
There are many Chinese Philosophies within the world, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, in which they have all originated as a result of the collapse of the Zhou dynasty in China, however, they do not all have the same beliefs.
Nancy Chen . “Panda Kung Fu’s His Way Around The World”. US China Today. Published June 20, 2008. Accessed November 10, 2013.
- - -. “Taoist Tai Chi Society .” ABC-CLIO eBook Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. .
Next, since the village is located up high in the mountains, the palace and the Kung Fu warriors training space is surrounded by nature and its beauty. Nature is a major thought in Taoism. “Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires” (Lau Tzu). The palace is in a secluded area and a plain design that is simple just as the teachings of Lau Tzu says to have in order to be a tru...
The author travels to China as an English teacher for the Hunan Medical School. There he stayed for two years picking up many anecdotes along the way. The author already had spent a large amount of his life studying Chinese language and the martial arts. However, when he arrives in China he meets teachers who have dedicated their entire lives to perfecting a particular art or skill, whether it be martial arts or calligraphy.
This is not surprising in view of the fact that Chinese culture values stability and continuity over change. This may be, in part, due to the continuous practice of imitating the ancients as a form of respecting antiquity and authority, a concept instilled by Confucianism (art and imitation). Another possible explanation for this could be that the anatomical or scientific approach was never emphasized in Chinese art, such as in Ancient Greek art. And because principles of light and shade, perspective and proportion of realism were not emphasized (the use of line is the defining technique in Chinese ink painting), there was never a “desperate revolt against vision” or a need for “non-objective art” (Tu). Thus throughout the years, Chinese painters were able to keep ahold of representational images as the basis for
Confucian culture, also known as Confucianism, was founded by Confucius during the Spring and Autumn Period, which was developed gradually after the Han Dynasty with benevolence as the core. Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was the official ideology and the basis of mainstream ideology in the vast majority of historical periods of China, and it also influenced many southeast Asian countries in history. After a variety of shocks, Confucianism was still the core values of China's social public, and represented the Chinese culture and national tradition in the world (Littlejohn, 2010). In the contemporary society, the Confucian culture in China increasingly spread, at the same time, its modern value is excavated by many countries in the world, and its international influence is also growing with the rise of China.
Nivison, David S. The Ways of Confucianism: Investigations in Chinese Philosophy. Ed. Bryan W. Van Norden. Chicago and La Salle, IL: Open Court, 1996.
Goodrich, L. Carrington (1959). A Short History Of The Chinese People. New York: Harper &
Confucianism is a religious philosophy formed by the Chinese philosopher Kung-fu-Tsu. This philosophy came out of need during the warring states period of Chinese history. K'ung-fu-Tsu was a teacher at the hundred schools. His prime concern was the improvement of society. Confucianism has no gods, and the only written history of this religion is in the Analects, a collection of his responses to his disciple's questions. K'ung-fu-Tsu believed that the improvement of society was the responsibility of the ruler and that the quality of government depended on the ruler's moral character. This new way meant concern for others and adherance to the golden rule. Confucianism has had a greater and longer lasting influence on China than that of any other religious philosophy.
	One of Bruce Lee’s best characteristics was his discipline. During Bruce’s teenage years he was a member of a street gang that simply went looking for fights. However, through martial arts Bruce developed discipline and was soon able to control himself. Bruce’s discipline is easily seen in this quote about problems that occurred on the set of Enter the Dragon. "Another problem was that the martial arts extras- most of whom were members of the Chinese crime syndicate, the Triads, would sometimes challenge Bruce to a real fight. For the most part Bruce would ignore it" (30). Bruce’s discipline can also be seen in the amount that he practiced his martial arts. He would practice everyday for hours, and even as a young child he was always practicing. "Bruce
Khantipalo, Bhikkhu. "The Buddhist Monk's Discipline: Some Points Explained for Laypeople." Access to Insight. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
Have you ever walked into a karate school and wondered what all of the rigid hierarchy and bowing is all about? Are you currently a new member of a karate studio and are wondering what all of the foreign words and chanting means? Or are you an avid student who still wonders what it all means when you enter your "Mini Martial Arts Experience" every Wednesday evening at 6pm? Lots of people share your confusion and many people wonder if it is all necessary.