On Kung Fu

BY K.P.

Until the recent Kung Fu films shown in Britain, Kung Fu was almost unknown here. However, it is very disappointing that these Kung Fu films do not throw some light on the mental side or the philosophy behind the art. They do express to our Western friends how cruel the Chinese are and thus create a wrong impression of the character of the Chinese people as well as leading to a misunderstanding of Kung Fu.

Kung Fu (the proper name should be Wu Shu) is one of the valuable products of Chinese physical culture developed through the past 2,000 years by the hard working people of China. Many schools of Kung Fu originated in the Shaolin Temple and later branched off into different styles. The hundreds of different styles of Kung Fu are generally divided into two schools: the external systems, ‘wei jia’, and the internal systems, ‘nei jia’. This is not to say that the internal systems are better than the external systems. If one would study the philosophy behind the Chinese martial arts, he would find that at the ‘top’ of the art all systems contain both hard and soft, yin and yang, internal and external factors. Each system is but a different road or path to the same goal, i.e. the training of the body and mind.

As a form of martial art and physical exercise, Kung Fu training leads to good health and the ability of self-defence. But, when confronted with a fight, a devoted Kung Fu man must run before he fights and fight before he kills. Fighting is not the aim in learning and practising this art. Although Kung Fu is in the form composed of different combat techniques, one has to build up a state of peaceful character. One has to learn to control oneself, to shape one’s character and personality to the best. With a strong body and a beautiful personality, he may then face any difficulties in life with courage and offer his ability for the good of human society.

The Chuan in Kung Fu is a prearranged sequence of movement and techniques. It is so arranged according to some forms or patterns. The performance of Chuan may appear in a form of ‘dancing’ and the performer has to interpret the beauty in the hand and foot movements and techniques. In practising the Chuan, one needs a lot of concentration and an ‘empty’ mind so as to improve the performance. By means of concentration and the emptiness of thought, one will achieve a reunion between one’s body and heaven (or the universe).

Kung Fu is one of the paths to perfect one’s character, to enable one to sense one’s responsibility towards society and to get rid of one’s ‘self’ for the union with Nature.

What is Wu Shu?

What is Wu Shu?

                                Tai Ji Quan?

                                                      Chinese Calisthenics?

Self-Defence? Kung Fu? Martial arts?

Chen Kang wrote:

“ A time-honoured cultural legacy of the Chinese people, Wu Shu has been considerably enriched and popularized in recent years. The first Wu Shu skills in ancient times included a kind of boxing and the use of cudgels, spears and other weapons. Such skills have in due course developed into a form of physical fitness and cultivating will power. It has also become an art form because of the beauty of its varied postures and movements.

“Take Tai Ji Quan known for its perfect harmony of movement, balancing forcefulness and suppleness, well-balanced and graceful movement that fuse into a flowing continuity. Its routine carefully designed to exercise all parts of the body … It is helpful for improving the health of people suffering from chronic ailments, of old folk, and of people with weak constitutions. It has now been adopted for use by hospitals and sanatoriums.”

Recently, I have been frequently asked about the difference between Kung Fu and Wu Shu.

Wu Shu has nothing whatsoever to do with the uncanny magical power of Kung Fu as the films depict, nor has it any link with the “Kung Fu” generally taught in the West, which is a sort of free-for-all street-fighting style! 

Sparring in Wu Shu is only demonstrating the techniques, we treat it as a sport. (People criticize this, and say it is “wishy-washy”. What is not wishy-washy? Violence? Really killing?) One may learn Wu Shu and reach its highest proficiency without doing any sparring at all.

Those who exploit Wu Shu have used all sorts of publicity full of self-gratifying, boasting, and even lying in order to serve their own ends, and have done much harm to Wu Shu. These people have no love, genuine interest or appreciation of Wu Shu, only using it and abusing it to gain notice from the public, especially those who have a sincere interest in this art.

My teaching of Wu Shu is an act of Sharing, an act of promoting East-West Cultural Exchange. Especially Tai Ji with its rich therapeutic nature, I think, is very much in need. If it is properly introduced, a great service will be given to the public.

We all know no mastership of any kind of Art can be obtained within a short period of time. Can you become a pianist overnight? Or a ballerina after a few lessons?

I know some people, after having visited the Orient for a few weeks or months, return to the West and claim to be the Master of such and such. Meanwhile I recall, many years ago, once after I watched an excellent Wu Shu demonstration, I made a remark to the artist about his unsurpassed proficiency in the Art. He modestly admitted his many years of practice but said, “I’m only a beginner of this Great Art-Treasure”. Was this merely Chinese etiquette? Or was the Truth spoken?

Wu Shu: the Chinese Martial Arts

Little material has been written explaining not only what the martial arts of China are about but also what they signify.

It should also be clarified that many of the Systems and Styles which make up some of the Oriental Arts of combat owe their origin to the Chinese Arts which were developed in a sophisticated and refined direction. Some of these arts, which go back to the era before Christ, for varying reasons have been lost in time and some, because of the secrecy surrounding them, have died with their masters. However, due to the role they have played in life, others were sacredly kept and preserved to still survive today.

It should be understood that these Arts demand from the body a mental, spiritual and physical balance, the coordination of which is vital to their correct interpretation.

There appears to be today a fascination for the practice of the martial arts with particular emphasis on the Oriental styles and systems. The Occidental world is, and has been for some years, accepting these arts “as a sponge soaks up water”, so that they have now become an everyday business to many. This fascination has not worn off yet and due to its successful commercialization and exploitation there is a fear that these arts, or at least the more popular ones, are being weakened in their essence and therefore disproportioned from their true and original meaning.

One point that shows itself apart from any other, and important at that, is where does one go to learn this martial art or that martial art? There are so many schools, centres, gymnasiums etc claiming that they teach this art or that art and in some cases numerous arts, that the individual looking for the most suitable place is usually confused. Many of these places are undoubtedly serious – there is no question about it – but how does one know about them? A way has to be found to sift the wheat from the chaff, the good from the bad.

The Chinese martial arts, as the name infers, are martial in effect but it must also be remembered, which few realize, that many of the systems and styles are also applied in the form of health exercises and calisthenics. It is a part of life but then, as with anything we do, it must be done properly and in so doing the person also gains a mental and spiritual attainment, which is beneficial.

It is unfortunate that there are few worthwhile books published in the Western world about the Chinese martial arts. It is not meant by this that one will learn from a book, but it certainly aids one in becoming acquainted with the meaning of these arts. Personal instruction is vital and a great deal of patience and perseverance is required.

It is through these arts that a person’s mental and physical abilities are tuned, giving them understanding, showing them discipline and instilling in them humility.

Many of these arts have been passed down through the ages that they now belong to the heritage of the people; it is our turn now to preserve these arts and pass them on so that they can live in the future. It is those with this knowledge, coupled with understanding and directed by wisdom, who must bear that responsibility and hope that others will not spoil and distort this contribution to the life of humankind.

This article is also written to show the infinite value of the Chinese martial arts and the merit they deserve. The intention underlying these arts - and this does not in any way disrespect any other martial art - is to bring man together with life and nature and, in so doing, give him an understanding of others.