Daoism

[mig]

I am curious to know how much interest have you focused in learning about Daoism in the southern Chinese styles. And from those who learned from their original master or master of a master, how much did they know or understood about Daoism. I understand the main interest for many here is to fight for different reasons and I can imagine the same happened hundred years ago. Also, I have the impression that many old masters learned the basic of Dao and were not necessarily scholars or interested in philosophy or religion.

Thanks,

Mig

[boxerbilly]

Rooster-Earth. That's all I know.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Hi Mig,

I'm also fascinated with Daoism and Wudang...but not a lot of info or participation on this forum for that topic. You may want to try some other forums...there was a forum called the Rum Soaked Fist that covered Internal Martial Arts and maybe a good starting point for you.

Just an idea guy....

[boxerbilly]

That's to bad. I thought it would be great to see discussion on this.

[SteveLau]

I am also interested in Daoism, and have a fundamental understand of it. Like another subject that I have studied - Buddhism, it is a theology, not a religion. But I cannot say that I am well versed in both. In order to be one, the person needs to study it as a major, and practise it as his lifestyle.



Regards,

Steve Lau
Hong Kong

[mig]

I am also interested in Daoism, and have a fundamental understand of it. Like another subject that I have studied - Buddhism, it is a theology, not a religion. But I cannot say that I am well versed in both. In order to be one, the person needs to study it as a major, and practise it as his lifestyle.



Regards,

Steve Lau
Hong Kong

Thank you Hebrew hammer for the link. The reason why I asked this is because, I imagine that in the past before 1970, masters most likely had a good understanding of Daoism. The problem is that if we go back in history, it is much more complex as religion, philosophy, popular beliefs and practice of Daoism was not as described today. Today I have the impression that is more of new age type of thing, spiritual capitalism and whatever they want to sell in the market. Here in the US and some other western countries, I have noticed to use of ying yang, qi or bagua symbols and claim being Daoist. As I learn today, all those concepts are part of the traditional Chinese cosmology. I wonder if you have ever asked your Chinese sifu or western sifu, what is their understanding of Daoism and how is that related to their Chinese boxing style. I put aside taijiquan, baguazhang as they use more terms that are also applied in Daoism circles.
Thanks,

[SteveLau]

Also, I have the impression that many old masters learned the basic of Dao and were not necessarily scholars or interested in philosophy or religion.

Mig

Mig, well your impression is probabley correct since some CMA are religion based. But in my case, I have studied study Daoism, Buddhism, etc. (at least their basic) not because of MA training. I have a vast range of interest. That is the reason.



Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

KC
Hong Kong

[mig]

Mig, well your impression is probabley correct since some CMA are religion based. But in my case, I have studied study Daoism, Buddhism, etc. (at least their basic) not because of MA training. I have a vast range of interest. That is the reason.



Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

KC
Hong Kong

Steve, thanks and happy holidays wherever you are. What is about Daoism and Buddhism that people get interested in practicing martial arts? I see Chinese symbolism in martial arts schools and I am not quite sure they understand or grasp the meaning of those symbols?
Also, as a China man during those days, maybe less today in Chinese communities the ideal of 以佛治心、以道治身、以儒治世 was or still around?

[SteveLau]

Mig,

Sure, some MA students might not understand the meaning of those symbols. Also, which comes first? Some people get interested in Daoism and Buddhism first, and then affect their decision to pick up martial arts training. The other way around is there too. I happen to be in the second group.



Regards,

KC
Hong Kong

[RAF]

You might be interested in this Podcast from UCLA:

http://www.international.ucla.edu/ccs/article/164072