daoist metaphysics in practical application

[lkfmdc]

daoist metaphysics in practical application



Let's see how this goes

[Miqi]

Leaving aside the primary content of the article, there is a problem with arguing - or implying - that because documents talk about weapons, then martial arts was really only about weapons training. Absence of records pertaining to non-military martial arts might simply be due to the fact that it was by far and away primarily the military-imperial complex that kept records in the first place. Like the traditions of the poor all over the world, folk martial arts might have been, in E P Thompson's words, victims of the enormous condescension of posterity.

[lkfmdc]

Leaving aside the primary content of the article,

Yeah, that's a great way to discuss the article

there is a problem with arguing - or implying - that because documents talk about weapons, then martial arts was really only about weapons training.

The top people in the field, trained historians ALL agree on that , but we should just trust you?

As usual, you disagree and offer nothing of substance, but hardly a surprise at this point

[RenDaHai]

Usually the Ming Dynasty martial arts manuals referred to are mass printed ones. Mass printing of books was kind of invented in the ming dynasty.

Why don't you name some Weapons kung fu manuals that are pre-ming dynasty? If there are a lot of pre-ming era weapons techniques manuals, but no empty hand ones, then it may be a valid conclusion that the barehand martial arts were less practiced before the ming. Alternatively if there are very few weapons manuals either, then we can't infer anything about the state of barehanded martial arts since there is not enough to go on.

[PalmStriker]

Usually the Ming Dynasty martial arts manuals referred to are mass printed ones. Mass printing of books was kind of invented in the ming dynasty.

Why don't you name some Weapons kung fu manuals that are pre-ming dynasty? If there are a lot of pre-ming era weapons techniques manuals, but no empty hand ones, then it may be a valid conclusion that the barehand martial arts were less practiced before the ming. Alternatively if there are very few weapons manuals either, then we can't infer anything about the state of barehanded martial arts since there is not enough to go on.

How many barehaned " martial artists" were uncovered with all the clay soldiers (full-sized representations of living persons) that were discovered not so long ago , buried in China with the first Emperor? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FJtY_dvXjo

[Kellen Bassette]

Good article. I have no doubt the religious and philosophical analogies were added to existing methods.
There's an awful lot of history of people using religion to justify/corroborate what they are already doing.
I also doubt the premise that Gong Fu is descended from Indian Martial Arts. Indian influences probably came later, with Buddhism. If anything the methods that preceded Gong Fu probably came from Mongolia, but hey, I could be wrong.

[PalmStriker]

Great research and use of logic in your assessment into the incorporation of the Daoist association in these particular TCMA styles, Sifu Ross. Thanks for bringing this information to light. In this day and age it is appreciated by those who seek such clarity to bypass the ornamentation of fact as it travels past the lives of those who hold such things dear to their hearts.