Martial arts and morality

Martial arts and morality

Traditional Chinese schools of martial arts, such as the famed Shaolin monks, often dealt with the study of martial arts not just as a means of self-defense or mental training, but as a system of ethics.^[51][52] Wude (武 德) can be translated as "martial morality" and is constructed from two Chinese characters, "wu" (武) which means martial and "de" (德) which means morality. Wude (武德) deals with two aspects; "morality of deed" and "morality of mind". Morality of deed concerns social relations; morality of mind is meant to cultivate the inner harmony between the emotional mind (Xin, 心) and the wisdom mind (Hui, 慧). The ultimate goal is reaching no extremity (Wuji, 無 極) (closely related to the Taoist concept of wu wei), where both wisdom & emotions are in harmony with each other.

• Morality of deed
  • Humility (Qian Xu; 謙虛/谦虚 qiānxū)
  • Loyalty (Zhong Cheng; 忠誠/忠诚 zhōngchéng)
  • Respect (Zun Jing; 尊敬 zūnjìng)
  • Righteousness (Zheng Yi; 正義/正义 zhèngyì)
  • Trust (Xin Yong; 信賴/信赖 xìnlài)
• Morality of mind
  • Courage (Yong Gan; 勇氣/勇气 yǒngqì)
  • Endurance (Ren Nai; 忍耐 rěnnài)
  • Patience (Heng Xin; 性心 xìngxīn)
  • Perseverance (Yi Li; 毅力 yìlì)
  • Will (Yi Zhi; 意志 yìzhì)

[edit] Use of qi

Main article: Qigong

The concept of qì or ch'i (氣/气), the inner energy or "life force" that is said to animate living beings, is encountered in almost all styles of Chinese martial art.^[53] Internal styles are reputed to cultivate its use differently than external styles.

One's qi can be improved and strengthened through the regular practice of various physical and mental exercises known as qigong. Though qigong is not a martial art itself, it is often incorporated in Chinese martial arts and, thus, practiced as an integral part to strengthen one's internal abilities.

There are many ideas regarding controlling one's qi energy to such an extent that it can be used for healing oneself or others: the goal of medical qigong. Some styles believe in focusing qi into a single point when attacking and aim at specific areas of the human body. Such techniques are known as Dim Mak and have principles that are similar to acupressure.^[54]

Some suggest that by practicing qigong to an advanced level it is possible to cause a physical reaction to an opponent without even touching the opponent.^[55] This is a popular concept in Chinese martial arts movies but is rarely seen in the everyday world.

[edit] Notable practitioners

See also: Category: Chinese martial artists and Category: Wushu practitioners

Examples of well-known practitioners (武术名师) throughout history:

Huo Yuanjia was a famous Chinese martial artist, whom Jet Li portrayed in Fearless.

An alleged photo of Wong Fei Hung. Some dispute this, however, pointing to the striking similarity to a photo of a man known to have been a son of Wong Fei Hung.

• Yue Fei (1103-1142 CE) - was a famous Chinese general and patriot of the Song Dynasty. Martial arts styles such as Eagle Claw and Xingyi attribute their creation to Yue. However, there is no historical evidence to support the claim he created these styles.
• Ng Mui (late 1600s) - was the legendary female founder of many Southern martial arts such as Wing Chun Kuen, Dragon style and Fujian White Crane. She is often considered one of the legendary Five Elders who survived the destruction of the Shaolin Temple during the Qing Dynasty.
• Yang Luchan (1799-1872) - was an important teacher of the soft style martial art known as tai chi chuan in Beijing during the second half of the 19th century. Yang is known as the founder of Yang style tai chi chuan, as well as transmitting the art to the Wu/Hao, Wu and Sun tai chi families.
• Ten Tigers of Canton (late 1800s) - was a group of ten of the top Chinese martial arts masters in Guangdong (Canton) towards the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Wong Kei-Ying, Wong Fei Hung's father, was a member of this group.
• Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924) - was considered a Chinese folk hero during the Republican period. More than one hundred Hong Kong movies were made about his life. Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li have all portrayed his character in blockbuster pictures.
• Huo Yuanjia (1867-1910) - was the founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association who was known for his highly publicized matches with foreigners. His biography was recently portrayed in the movie Fearless (2006).
• Yip Man (1893-1972) - was a master of the Southern martial art of Wing Chun and the first to teach this style openly. Yip Man was the teacher of Bruce Lee. Most major branches of Wing Chun that exist today were developed and promoted by students of Yip Man.
• Bruce Lee (1940 - 1973) - was a Chinese American martial artist and actor who was considered an important icon in the 20th century.^[56] He practiced the Southern martial art of Wing Chun and made it famous. Using Wing Chun as his base and learning from the influences of other martial arts his experience has exposed him to, he later developed his own martial arts philosophy which evolved into what is now known as Jeet Kune Do.
• Jackie Chan (B. 1954) - is a Hong Kong martial artist and actor widely known for injecting physical comedy into his martial arts performances, and for performing complex stunts in many of his films.
• Jet Li (B. 1963) - is the five-time sport wushu champion of China, later demonstrating his skills in cinema.

[edit] Popular culture

References to the concepts and use of Chinese martial arts can be found in popular culture. Historically, the influence of Chinese martial arts can be found in books and in the performance arts specific to Asia. Recently, those influences have extended to the movies and television that targets a much wider audience. As a result, Chinese martial arts have spread beyond its ethnic roots and have a global appeal. ^{[57] [58]}

Martial arts plays a prominent role in the literature genre known as wuxia(武 侠小说). This type of fiction is based on a Chinese concepts of chivalry, a separate martial arts society (Wulin, 武林) and a central theme involving martial arts.^[59] Wuxia stories can be traced as far back as 2nd and 3rd century BC, becoming popular by the Tang Dynasty and evolving into novel form by the Ming Dynasty. This genre is still extremely popular throughout East Asia and provides a major influence for the public perception of the martial arts.

Martial arts influences can also be found in Chinese opera of which Beijing opera is one of the best-known examples. This popular form of drama dates back to the Tang Dynasty and continues to be an example of Chinese culture. Some martial arts movements can be found in Chinese opera and some martial artists can be found as performers in Chinese operas.

In modern times, Chinese martial arts have spawned the genre of cinema known as the martial arts film. The films of Bruce Lee were instrumental in the initial burst of Chinese martial arts' popularity in the West in the 1970s. A U.S. network TV western series of the early 1970s called Kung Fu also served to popularize the Chinese martial arts on television. With 60 episodes over a three-year span, it was one of the first North American TV shows that tried to convey the philosophy and practice of Chinese martial arts. ^{[60] [61]}

Martial artists and actors such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan have continued the appeal of movies of this genre. Martial arts films from China are often referred to as "Kung Fu movies" (功夫片), or "Wire Fu" if extensive wire work is performed for special effects, and are still best known as part of the tradition of Kung Fu Theater (see also: wuxia, Hong Kong action cinema).

The use of Chinese martial arts techniques can now be found in most TV action series, although the philosophy of Chinese martial arts are seldom portrayed in depth.