Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is a time-honored Chinese philosophy, one that required special selection by a Master to impart the traditions and be taught to a gifted student. The art of Tai chi has evolved throughout generations and Chinese history and has become a widely practiced exercise in the United States where membership is not as difficult to attain. Chang San Feng was a 13-century Taoist Monk who studied at the Shaolin Monastery in China. It was a Chan Buddhist temple since the 5th century and Mahayana tradition was its practice and philosophy teachings. The Taoist communities were protective environments located deep in the forests and mountains where they monks could devote their life to explore nature, the cosmos, and the inner realms of the human experience (Jahnke, 2002, p. 10). Change San Feng studied the art of Shaolin Kung Fu, Taoist mediation, Yin and Yang, and Mahayana traditions. He was also very intrigued and captivated by animals in nature. He was inspired by the way animals played and danced with objects. He integrated all the disciplines learned with his observations at the Saholin Monastery to create the philosophy and practice of Tai Chi Chuan (Dwyer, 1995, p. 3).
“TCC is a moving meditation. An exercise that interchanges the power between yin and yang forces within us by using the positive (constructive) and negative (destructive) that exists within us” (Liao, 1995, p. 23). Lao-Tzu a Master of Chinese Traditional philosophy was the founder of Taoism and developed the theory of Yin and Yang, the relationship between man and nature. TCC is the exchange or inner play of Yin and Yang forces. The mind is considered the input of positive energy and the focus of intention, the yin. The output factor of internal energ...
... middle of paper ...
...e lungs; this is believed to be the basis for the cultivation of Chi and is vital to survival, the life force. The pores of the epidermis are open and breathing, sweating and releasing toxins while performing Qigong. During exhalation, the chest, and abdomen empty simultaneously, releasing carbon monoxide and exhausted Chi in to the atmosphere (Jahnke, 2002, p. 35).
Qigong movements are slow and mild movements coordinated with deep breathing that pump and diffuses the body fluids and contributes to all aspects of Chi in acquisition, maintenance and expression (Jahnke, 2002, p. 34). Advanced forms of Qigong are intended to facilitate changes in the body structure by affecting the connective tissue through focus and slow movements (Jahnke, 2002, p. 34). The practice of Qigong can be modified and adapted depending on the personal setting in which it is practiced.
After watching the documentary The Long Search: Taoism: A Question of Balance—China, I am totally surprised by the details in the video, which explain every single aspect of people’s daily life in Taiwan as religious, especially Taoist. Since China does not consider itself as a nation of religious beliefs and practices, I do not actually think of what Chinese people do everyday as religious. However, after studying Religions in China for a semester, I finally realize that all the Chinese traditions and beliefs have evolved as a mixture of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. As a result, it all makes sense to see in the video that Taoism is a dominant religion that has deeply influenced individuals’ life in Taiwan.
The first religion selected is Taoism (Daoism), an Eastern religion that originated from the richness of a group of healers possessing power over the elements. In China these healers are known as shamans. The shamans are acknowledged as having the ability to communicate with animals and the knowledge of various uses for plants (Seymour, nd.). During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Taoling settled on Singing Crane Mountain (Mount Heming). He began producing and circulating books advocating Tao after he claimed that he had been imparted the "Mighty Commonwealth of the Orthodox Oneness (Zhengyi Meng Wei) by Supreme Master Lao Zi. His teachings centered on the summoning of deities, magic incantation and subduing of ghosts, as well as breathing exercises (Elijame, 2011). As other religions and rituals, the knowledge,...
Schaller, K. J. (1996). Tai Chi Chih: an exercise option for older adults. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 22, 12-16.
- - -. “Taoist Tai Chi Society .” ABC-CLIO eBook Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. .
Tai Chi is a result of the Chinese Taoists. The Taoists in their observation of nature found nothing was entirely still. If prey stayed in one place, the beasts of the forest would take advantage. They also found that this principle applied to humans as well and that if they remain stagnant, it opened the door for disease and old age. From this revelation, the Taoists began creating martial art forms, as well as using yoga introduced from India, to be active. It is believed that this is where Tai Chi has its roots.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like” (Lau Tzu). Born into a life of noodles and relaxation Po, a chubby panda, always wanted to be a Kung Fu master. Out of nowhere an opportunity arises to have his dream become reality. Po, like any normal panda snatches up this once in a lifetime opportunity and runs with it. But when the going gets tough, he doesn’t know if this is the life he was meant to live. While the film was meant for enjoyment, DreamWorks has incorporated clear examples of the three major Chinese Schools of Thought: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
As one of the greatest founding novels of Taoism, Book of Chuang Tzu serves to strengthen Lao Tzu 's arguments in Tao Te Ching and lays the foundation for Taoism 's place in Chinese philosophy. Because Confucianism and Taoism are two competing philosophy schools that share more outstanding differences than similarities, the followers of both schools often refute and evaluate the ideals of the opposite school. However, the constant appearance of Confucius as the main character in more than twenty chapters in Book of Chuang Tzu not only surprises the readers, but also calls for deep analysis of the roles played Confucius in order to understand the true meaning of this ancient literature. While Chuang Tzu criticizes many of the Confucian ideas
A philosopher named Confucius founded Confucianism in China 2,500 years ago. Confucianism is a system of ethical behavior and social responsibility that became the great traditions of the East.1 It played an important role in the evolution in Chinese culture over the centuries. It has influenced near-by countries and had made a mark in the history of religion. There are today over six million people who call themselves Confucianists. Most Confucianists live in East Asia where Confucianism is thought to be born. For over two thousand years, Confucianism has been the dominant philosophical system of Chinese government, which has still a great hold on their people. Because Chinese culture has spread to the counties of Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, the values of Confucianism can be found there too.
Although there is a enormous amount of literature involved with Daoism, the Daoist canon itself contains 1,120 volumes (Coogan 241), there are two texts that are the heart and soul of Daoism; the Tao Teh Ching and the Zhuangzi. The Tao Teh Ching was legendarily written by Lao Tzu himself and is the basis for much of what Daoists believe. With just over five thousand Chinese characters, the Tao Teh Ching addresses confusing questions with confusing answers, providing advice that is at once practical and impractical. Although the debate rages over whether it is a collection of works from separate authors or a true compilation of the potentially real Lao Tzu, the Tao Teh Ching's philosophies on life and the Dao are remarkable. They are, but they aren't. It is, but it isn't. Full of sagacity and wisdom, the Tao Teh Ching first addresses the issue of the Dao and its place as a core belief among Daoists.
Tai Chi versus Taoism Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Tai Chi versus Taoism When discussing the difference between Taoism and Tai Chi, one should highlight the first notion due to its spiritual primacy. Taoism, according to Smith (2007), wraps around the key notion of Tao, which has three meanings – one of the path of final actuality, of the world and humans (pp. 97-97). Further, Taoism has three fields of existence.
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.
Even though Taoism and many other folk religions have shaped the Chinese mind, Confucianism remains, by any historical measure, its chief mentor” (Novak 113). Therefore, since the two religions grew up together, there are similarities, such as their views on humans, attempting to find harmony in life and in nature, and serve as guides for their followers through self-cultivation and improvement techniques. Confucianism believes that their congregation should have human conduct over the idea of God in their lives, whereas Taoism is formed on the belief that its congregation should create a relationship with nature. This is pointed out by Smith in Experiencing the World’s Religions, “Confucius represents the classical, Lao Tzu the romantic; Confucius stresses social responsibility, Lao Tzu praises spontaneity and naturalness; Confucius focus is on the human, Lao Tzu’s on what transcends the human” (Smith 218).
Taoism’s main goal is to be one with the natural or spontaneous way of life and that men and women were neither superior nor inferior to one another. Confucianists differ in this regard due to the main promotion of Li – the right behavior, among people, in the right situation in addition to the right time and place. Taoists are more for people not defining right or wrong and allowing humans to figure out what it means to be in harmony with nature. This shines a light on an important Taoism concept of wu wei meaning non-action or non-doing. Since Taoism believe every being or phenomena that are fully in harmony with the Tao behave in a perfectly natural, ingenuous way.
Chinese music is described as a unique form of art. Even today, the Modern Chinese music has a Western Modern Music style. The music has it's own characteristics and is very much distinct.
Do you know what Taekwondo is? Do you know how Taekwondo benefits the practitioner? Do you know Taekwondo is also considered a sport and is an event in many major competitions? When these questions are asked, the majority of the people who answer do not know the correct answers or the complete answer. Although many people do not know much about Taekwondo, there are hundreds of thousands of people worldwide getting involved. Taekwondo is the world's fastest growing martial art, with currently over fifty million practitioners and growing everyday. The majority of the practitioners who get involved do so to learn self-defense. Not only do the practitioners learn self-defense, but they also learn many helpful things and receive the benefits that Taekwondo has to offer. Also, Taekwondo has become a sporting event in many major sporting competitions. But mainly, Taekwondo provides people with sporting and self-defending ability and gives that person an edge in daily life, with its merits as a martial art sport of self-discipline.