Martial arts have been a big part of Chinese history. There are many forms of martial arts that include over a hundred different styles which are classified by families, regions ,sects and schools. Styles get their influence from Taoism, mythology, legends and even animal and insect defensive movement patterns which include but are not limited to the Tiger Crane style, Monkey style, Eagle Claw Style, and even a powerful Praying Mantis style.
According to Grandmaster Sifu Tom from New York, there may be up to 5-10,000 Gung Fu styles due to the vast and large country of China.
Martial arts can be divided further by internal and external styles. The former style utilizing the Qi energy like Tai Chi, Hsing Yi, Pa Kua, and 8 Diagrapram Palm Boxing.
Martial arts have many styles and forms but they all fall under the umbrella of Gung Fu which some say have its origins back 5000 years ago when it was done for hunting and for defense purposes. Many believe that Shaolin Gung Fu was brought to China from an Indian Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, to help improve the Buddhist practices. However, according to Quora, there are Shaolin monastery records that state that two of its very first monks, Huigunag and Sengchou, were expert in the martial arts before the arrival of Bodhidharma.
Gung Fu began transforming into more of a combat or fighting skill during the Xia Dynasty( 21st- 17th century BC) to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It reached its perfection during the Ming and Qing Dynasties ( 1368-1911). In modern day China, it is seen as more of a sport.
Gung Fu has been popular in China for centuries and will always be a part of Chinese heritage and pride. What exactly is Gung Fu is a question of debate. Some see it as a sport, others see it as martial art while others see it as a way of life. However, all agree that it is an important part of health with the body, mind and spirit. Let’s explore it further.
According to World of Gung Fu, Gung Fu roughly means skill achieved through hard work.”
According to Blue Dragon School of Martial Art, the actual meaning of kung fu refers to anyone of achievement, and the effort that goes into self-mastery through the Chinese martial arts is no different than the education of a doctor, lawyer, or great architect.
Jackie chan said, Gung Fu is everything in his movie, The Karate Kid. This philosophical statement is quite profound. What did he mean by it?
We can all agree that Gung Fu is a system that is designed for martial arts, self-defense, sports and health. It requires years of training, discipline, patience and hard work to achieve a high level of mastery. However, I believe real Gung Fu goes deeper than that and is beyond any sort of mastery that we can achieve in itself. We can get a better understanding of it through looking at the great influences of Gung Fu which include ties to Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
Although it was originally designed to protect the individual, it evolved further as China evolved as a culture and enlightened society and civilization. I believe that at the peak and supreme mastery of Gung Fu, the individual has become an enlightened and noble being. At this level, an individual’s Gung Fu is so skillful that he or she never feels fearful or threatened because of the individual’s skills, self-control and confidence.The individual has achieved a high level of oneness within himself or herself, the Universe and the Tao. This oneness gives birth to mental, emotional, psychological and physical health and well-being that allows the individual to excel in Gung Fu either for sport, martial art or health.
Gung Fu is the balance of hard versus soft and ying versus yang. Is a system that harnesses the internal Qi to promote health, well-being and longevity. The Pa Kua system may have some positive effects on stimulating and activating the kundalini energy up the chakras through its circular motions.
I believe that it is a system that recognizes that nature and the Tao are our teachers and masters. Hence, many forms were developed by mimicking the various animal forms as well as insect form to mimic nature’s perfection and order.
It recognizes the importance of the balance between the universe, spirit, body, Qi and earth. Tai Chi is one such a form.
Many Gung Fu masters understand how to hurt and even kill their opponent but many also understand how to heal their opponent of injury as well.
Gung Fu is not about being a bully but about having respect for others and using your skills to help yourself, the weak or the oppress.
It is also about having compassion and mercy to your opponent and those who are less fortunate.
| Gung Fu can also be so mystical and powerful like in Dim Mak also known as “one touch kill.” According Warren Chan ( student of Sifu Wong Tim Yuen and Gung Fu instructor), “this is an art where only the best will have knowledge of this. You must have internal power ( Qi) in order to perform Dim Mak and your targets are internal organs.” He is a firm believer of Chinese Dim Mak. His Sifu was once confronted by a martial art challenger because he had a reputation for being taught by a famous Master from China.
After being challenged repeatedly, Sifu Wong finally gave in and said he would fight the challenger but told his opponent to guard his lungs because that is where he was going to be hit. “And no sooner when they squared off, Wong Tim Yuen came in with an open palm, and the opponent was down on the floor.” The opponent quickly got up but Sifu Wong said that he was finished, and he should go and see a doctor if he wanted to continue living. When the opponent went to the doctor, his physician said that “the man who did this to you has great knowledge of Chinese Martial Arts, he has caused a blood clot in your lung and that clot will harden and it will be a slow death, maybe six months to live. However, this master who did this injury to you can also cure you.” Eventually the challenger went back to the master and brought some food to him and begged for his forgiveness. Sifu Wong was compassionate and merciful to this man and gave him the antidote to cure him of the injury. This man became his first student. Sifu Wong truly practiced real Gung Fu. His master was the man on the picture above. He name was Leong Tim Chee. Sifu Wong was an exemplary figure who’s martial art lineage traces back to a great grand master who was a Shaolin or Sil Lum monk by the name of Leong Sil Jung. |
||
| On the contrast, Gung Fu may be graceful to watch in a performance as it is in the beautiful and exquisite style of Wushu. This is the type that Jet Li studied and when we see him on the big screen, we are always treated to such a beautiful and mesmorizing performance. |
If we analyze what Gung Fu really is, it is really everything ( physical training, discipline, religion, philosophy and more) like what Jackie Chan said but that everything is all about our mastery,harmony and oneness with ourselves ( body,mind and spirit), others, nature and the Universe or Tao.
Bruce Lee was legendary because he truly understood Gung Fu and the Tao. In fact, he wrote a book called the Tao of Jeet Kune Do. He was truly the epitome of Gung Fu. He lived and breathe Gung Fu and believed that it is an art that should be shared with people from all walks of life.
Gung Fu styles are so diverse and varied. Some of the more popular Gung Fu styles include: Mok Gar, Li Gar, Hung Gar,Shaolin, Wing Chun, Wu Shu, Iron Palm training, Bak Qua, and Choy Li Fut !
Gung Fu has weaved itself into mainstream worldwide attention when Bruce Lee first made his appearance on the TV screen back in the late 60s. It was a sensation when he made his debut as Kato in the Green Hornet show. In Hong Kong, it was known as the Kato show. The world was mesmerized by Bruce’s martial art prowess. The world went martial art crazy after he made his big screen motion picture, Way of the Dragon, in 1972 and Enter the Dragon in 1973. That woke up the world to its introduction to Chinese Gung Fu and the world has never viewed the Chinese people and Gung Fu ever the same way again. Bruce Lee was already quite a sensation throughout Asia from his TV show and his earlier movies like Big Boss in 1971 and The Fist of Fury in 1972.
Other popular martial artist have also made an indelible mark in the world as well. Those include Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Mitchelle Yeoh and many more.
Before the above modern wave of martial artists hit the scene, there were many pioneers and Grand Masters who were quite influential in the history of Gung Fu; they include two of China’s favorites- Wong Fei-Hung and Yip Man or Yip Kai-man. He was the master teacher of Bruce Lee and Wong Shun Leung. San Francisco has many great masters that include but are not limited to Y. C. Wong, Brendan Lai and Wong Tim Yuen. There are many others as well.
Those who are interested in martial history may be interested to know that Tianjin is considered one of the top thirteen Gung Fu hometowns according to Chinatravel.com. In fact, it is ranked at number two after Canzhou.
It is also the hometown of one of the most revered and famous patriotic Gung Fu master- Huo Yuanjia. He is considered a national hero for China for defeating foreign fighters at a time when Chinese sovereignty was being challenged and compromised by foreign powers.
Tianjian should be on every single martial artists bucket’s list. In fact, the residence of Huo Yuanjia is a Gung Fu mecca for martial artists and those who appreciate history and cultural heritage. His former former residence is located in the Xiaonan Village in Jinghai County. Visitors can see a variety of Huo Yuanjia’s possessions, such as his weapons, furniture, and daily item. Huo’s tomb is on the south side of the residence.
He was the founder of Chinwoo Association Huo Yuanjia which have over 70 branches all over the world. It is considered the first sports Non-Governmental Organization in Chinese modern history. The legacy of Huo Yuanjia is still felt all around the world. His civil and military schools have won over 1,000 championships. His schools are known as the cradle of champions. People come from all around the world to pay respect to this iconic, legendary and patriotic figure. In fact, Jet Li made a movie about Chin Woo.
Visit Tianjin for the amazing town, museums, and historical landmarks. Many have also gone to the prestigious Tianjin University of Sport and Huo Yuanjia Culture and Wushu School to learn authentic Gung Fu. There is also a Huo Yuanjia memorial park to visit as well. Absorb the energy and spirit of Huo Yuanjia at all his various memorial sites as you are revitalized and inspired to perfect your mastery and passion in life for yourself and others in whatever you do for the betterment of humanity as Hou did for the people of China and all around the world with Gung Fu. Enjoy Tianjin and may you find yourself drawn to the beauty, wonder and greatness of true Gung Fu.
Wishing you infinite love and blessings,
Blake Sinclair, author of Dare to Imagine and Beyond Imagination. Blogger, freelance writer and member of the Mount Shasta Authors Guild.
www.blakesinclair.org
http://www.chinatravel.com/facts/top-13-kung-fu-hometowns-in-china.htm
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/tianjin/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin
http://martialarts.about.com/od/styles/a/kungfu.htm
http://worldofkungfu.wikia.com/wiki/The_meaning_of_Kung_Fu
www.quora.com
http://www.chinatouronline.com/china-travel/tianjin/tianjin-attractions/former-residence-and-mausoleum-of-huo-yuanjia_639.html