The Many Manifestations of Kung Fu

I'm currently reading The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu, which I am enjoying throughly.  It gives a great background the the many forms of Kung Fu, or more respectively known as, quanfa, (q=ch, as in chanfa, art of the fist).  The book reminds me of a philosophy I once learned before.

Many people associate Kung Fu with high kicks, forms imitating animal behavior and two-finger handstands, though that's not at all what Kung Fu is about.  In fact, Kung Fu is almost a double standard.  When you tell people you "know Kung Fu" they will either ridicule you or think you can break bricks with your hands, though it's usually the former.

Many also associate Kung Fu with games like Mortal Kombat or Jackie Chan movies.  Though Jackie Chan is a master of Northern styles, there are over 1,000 styles of the art originating in China, differing from family traditions to regional traditions.  All of the forms of Quanfa have their origins from the Shaolin Monastery.

So, what really is Kung Fu?  Directly translated from Chinese, it means "perfection." Perfection of what? Perfection of you!  Kung Fu is more of a philosophy which derived from a martial art.

From your thoughts, your actions, to your relationships, Kung Fu is not just about punches, kicks, and back-flips.  It's a way of life, no different from the Japanese Bushido (Way of the Samurai).  Its philosophies derive from Buddhist and Taoist scriptures, and are in fact, very intertwined.

(And please don't assume all Buddhists or Taoists are martial artists and vise versa)

But why would a Buddhist or Taoist want to harm another through martial arts?  We don't want to.  Does a thorn from a rose not protect itself from those who want its blossom?  One of the laws of Shaolin monks is to NEVER kill.  We as humans can defend ourselves, but should never kill.  Martial arts are to be used to cease or subdue conflict, to bring peace.  The other reason of practicing the art is one of self preservation and self discipline.  Kung Fu is beneficial to health, longevity, cultivating Chi, and moral behavior.

Technically, you don't even have to be a martial artist to practice literal "Kung Fu."  Kung Fu can be in the writer, the painter, or the car mechanic.  It's ultimately about perfecting what you do and how you do it.  The martial artist, then, technically practices Quanfa, while utilizing the philosophy of Kung Fu.

So now you know the true meaning of Kung Fu/Gung Fu.  Below is a great interview with legendary Bruce Lee discussing some of these points:

Seven Virtues of Bushido: Rei

Rei: Respect and Courtesy

What's the use of being cruel and unkind?  Bringing suffering unto others only brings suffering to ourselves.
Treat others with dignity and they will respect you in return.  Likewise when you respect yourself, others will respect you.  It works full circle.

Bearing this in mind, why would one need to prove their strength and power to gain respect if they just respect others?

Interview: Ward Black

Ward Black is an experienced martial artist and recently has taken the role of a 16th century Samurai in a medieval battle group.

What is your background in martial arts?
I have taken many over the years. I studied Tae Kwon Do, Hop Ki Do , Kum Do , Ju-Jitsu and brazillian ju-jitsu mostly. Ever since I was nine I have been studying. Tae Kwon do was my first. I went to Korea and did some teaching of Kum Do (sword fighting) for a while. Been involved on the martial arts for about 30 years now.

What art are you currently practicing and why are you involved in martial arts?
Currently I am studying Bushido. Or the art of the Samurai. Literally. I have been studying with a medieval reenactment group called the Society for Creative Anachronism, or just SCA for short. Their primary focus is recreating medieval life from a certain time period and certain place. I naturally study Japanese from around 1550. They dress up in clothes, eat foods, dance, and practice other arts from that time period. Of course they fight as well. Armored combat is one of the big attractions to this game. So you have to make the armor, wear the armor and fight in the armor. Since I am doing Japanese I naturally am learning the ways of the samurai. Currently there are about 30,000 people worldwide that are doing this. I am learning sword fighting (katana and nodachi) as well as naginata (polearm). My teacher is a very wonderful master who not only teaches the martial art or combat but teaches the lifestyle of being early period Japanese.
I am involved in this particular martial art right now, because it has been everything I have been looking for in a martial art. To me being a martial artist is not just about going to a dojo and working out then going home and moving on with your daily life. I am involved because this group sort of makes you encompass everything there is to be about a samurai. The way you act, the way you think, the way you eat and take care of your body. Yea sure you can get some of that from other martial arts here and there. In this group you have to make the armor, make the weapons, make the clothing, make the fighting garb, make the food, make the tents. All of it is there. Even how I act is supposed to be that of a samurai.

I know that you are involved with a reenactment group, does this reflect your beliefs of martial arts? If so, how?A little yea. It has made me a little jaded at the dojos out there that are just cash grabs. I mean those that do not teach the beliefs or traditions of an art. Look at Brazilian Jujitsu for example. It is a fantastic art. lots of real skills. But it is just that. skills. It has not been around long enough to be anything but that. Then look at Kyudo (Japanese bowman ship) there is a art that is just oozing tradition. With my group, you can learn Kyudo from actual Japanese masters who make the bows, make the arrows and shoot the bows all tradition. It gives me a connection to those times. Makes me feel more involved I guess. Plus I learn so many skills in the process about it. I enjoy that to just make a weapon, there are like five other skill you have to learn as well. Very involving. Real skills.

How has practicing martial arts influenced your daily life?
Well now I look at life with a different outlook. I know if I work at it and struggle hard enough I will be able to reap the rewards. I never give up without a good fight. I never start a fight, yet I will be the first to finish it.
Fighting has given me a sense of calm. It clears my mind and allows me to focus on the task at hand. When I fight, that is all there is, some other guy in armor wielding weapons and going to hit me full contact. The rest of the day doesn’t matter, just there and now. I approach people who have conflict in their own lives with a different outlook. Something about wielding a 5 foot blade the night before gives you that confidence to approach those obstacles and overcome them.
Lately with this group I am part of. One of the great things is that I am learning so many other skills besides fighting. I didn’t know how to sew before this, and now I can sew and repair a pair of pants or hakama if needed.

What advice to you have for other martial artists?
Don’t get pigeon holed into one art. Try what you like. Try what works for you. Some people get all hung up on one art and bash the others. Makes me sick. I do what I do because it moves my life forward, not theirs. Variety of arts is a good thing and keeps your opponents guessing. Definitely do not knock other arts, there is a reason those people are doing what they want to.

Seven Virtues of Bushido: Gi

Gi: Right action, Justice
Honesty with all people, doing the right action for others and yourself (not because it's easy, but because it's ethically and morally correct), belief in fair justice.


Truth will out.  By sticking to our moral code of honesty and right action, what fear do we have?   As a Chinese proverb says "A clear mind never fears midnight knocking."  Also, if one tempers with correct justice, one doesn't "lose face."  
Believe in justice for those who fall victim to the evil of others.  Remain loyal to your family, spouses, friends, and brethren.  

Seven Virtues of Bushido: Introduction

What is Bushido?  In Japan, it was a code of conduct which samurai were expected to live by.   Let's dissect the kanji above.  The first on the left is bu meaning martial or battle.  The middle is shi meaning warrior.  The last, on the right is do meaning way or road.  So literally translated it is "Martial Warrior Way" or "Way of the Warrior."
Although the book Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo written in the early 18th Century, (1700's) claims samurai of the day have seemed to abandoned such ideals, (probably the result of many samurai becoming master-less after a long period of peace),  the code is still something to live by like the samurai of old.

The Code of Bushido consists of seven virtues:
Gi righteousness, rectitude, right conduct;
Yu bravery, courage
Jin benevolence, humanity
Rei respect, courtesy
Makato honesty, sincerity
Meiyo honor
Chu loyalty, devotion

In this series of articles, I will explain each virtue of Bushido in detail and how we can all benefit from living by such a code.  Not only for the martial artist, but for any person.