The Philosophy of Kung Fu:
Understanding the Principles
and Values that Underlie this
Martial Art
Written by Chee Loh
Expat living in China, exploring the everyday moments that make this vast country. Sharing from my journey between two worlds.
Kung Fu is more than just a physical discipline or fighting style. At its core, Kung Fu is a way of life that incorporates a philosophy that underlies all of its teachings. Understanding the principles and values that drive Kung Fu can help practitioners of the martial art not only improve their skills but also improve their lives.
The philosophy of Kung Fu is rooted in traditional Chinese culture and has been shaped by centuries of history and practice. At its core, Kung Fu emphasizes the development of both physical and mental discipline, as well as a focus on self-improvement and personal growth.
One of the key principles of Kung Fu is the concept of “Wu De,” which can be translated as “martial virtue” or “the virtues of the warrior.” Wu De encompasses a range of values that are considered essential to the practice of Kung Fu, including respect, humility, discipline, and compassion. These values are instilled in students from the earliest stages of their training and are reinforced throughout their practice.
Another important principle of Kung Fu is the idea of balance and harmony. Kung Fu practitioners seek to cultivate balance and harmony not only in their physical movements but also in their approach to life. This involves finding a balance between different aspects of life, such as work and play, rest and activity, and even different emotions.
Kung Fu also places a strong emphasis on mindfulness and awareness. Practitioners are encouraged to be present in the moment, fully engaged in their surroundings and their actions. This helps them to cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their environment, as well as to develop greater focus and concentration.
The philosophy of Kung Fu is also deeply rooted in the idea of interconnectedness. Kung Fu practitioners recognize that everything in the universe is connected and that their actions have an impact on the world around them. This recognition leads to a sense of responsibility and a desire to act in ways that are beneficial to both themselves and others.
Finally, Kung Fu is characterized by a deep respect for tradition and a reverence for the masters who have come before. Students are encouraged to honor the traditions and teachings of their instructors and to continue the legacy of Kung Fu for future generations.
The philosophy of Kung Fu is a rich and complex system of values and principles that underlie this ancient martial art. By understanding and embracing these principles, practitioners of Kung Fu can not only improve their physical abilities but also cultivate a deeper sense of self- awareness, mindfulness, and respect for the world around them.
Chinese Parables and Philosophy
The Two Pots
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seed on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace my house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
The Old Poodle
A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in Africa, taking her faithful aged poodle named Cuddles, along for the company.
One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that she's lost. Wandering about, she notices a leopard heading rapidly in her direction with the intention of having lunch.
The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, she immediately settles down to chew on the bones with her back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?"
Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!” says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!"
Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard.
The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"
Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with her back to her attackers, pretending she hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says: "Where's that darn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!"
Moral of this story...
"The art of fighting without fighting!" True Kung Fu mastery comes with age and experience... Your goal should be to quell your adversary's aggression without lifting a finger, if possible.
Philosophical Quotes
Tao Te Ching - Chapter 10
