Martial Arts Tradition in Contemporary China The start of martial arts in China came about for the same reasons it did in every Other culture. In order to aid in hunting activities and to protect against enemies. Along with this, evidence of martial techniques, including those tied to weapons go back thousands Of years. It said that the China’s Yellow Emperor Hung Did, who took the throne in 2698 B. C. , began to create these arts. He invented a form of wrestling taught to the troops that involved the use of horned helmets called Horn Butting or Jiao Did.
Eventually, Jiao Did was improved upon to include joint locks, strikes, and blocks and even became a sport during the Gin Dynasty. It is also important to know that the Chinese martial arts have held philosophical and spiritual significance within the culture. It grew alongside the ideas of Confucianism and Taoism during the Chou Dynasty. For example, the Taoist concept of Yin and Yang, the universal opposites, ended up being tied in a large way to the hard and soft techniques that make up what is gung if.
The arts also became a part of the concepts of Confucianism, as they were tied to the ideal things people should practice. This is why think it is important to talk about Buddhism in terms of gung if. Buddhism made its way to China from India as relations between the two countries grew. However, it was the arrival of the Indian Buddhist monk, Bodhisattva, at the new Shallow Temple, who official bought Buddhism to martial arts, particularly Gung if. It said that Bodhisattva changed the monks way of thinking by nurturing them with concepts about humility, and self control.
It is said that he also intensively trained them in Gung if. Although its not clear on how much Bodyguard trained the monks, one thing is for sure, after Bodyguard’s arrival the monks became experts on Gung if. Gung if is mainly a striking style of martial arts that utilizes kicks, blocks, and both open and closed hand strikes to defend against attackers. Depending on the style, gung if practitioners may also possess knowledge of throws and joint locks. This art utilizes both hard and soft techniques.
Originally, gung if was really only an elite art practiced by those with power. But due to occupations by the Japanese, French, and British, the Chinese began to encourage martial arts experts to open their doors and teach what they knew o the native in an effort to stop foreign invaders. Unfortunately, the people quickly found out that the martial arts could not repel the bullets toothier invaders. In 1966 Snuff faced Communism. During this time, Mao Sedona had taken hold to China. He tried to destroy everything that was traditional, especially Gung if.
Gung if books and Chinese history, including much of the literature on the art at the Shallow Temple, was under attack and in many cases destroyed at this time Along with this, several gung if masters fled the country until the Chinese martial arts, became a part of the culture once again. After the Communist Party of China (CAP) took leadership of China in 1949, Gung-g-u had to be reshaped according to the Communist party policy. The old Confucian traditions Of family and ancestor worship needed to be replaced with loyalty to the Communist Party of China above all else.
Buddhist and Taoist teachings also had to go because Communist thought does not tolerate religious beliefs. This is when traditional Gung-If became standardized into a sportive version called Hush. Hush is a form Of contemporary Chinese martial arts that blends elements of performance and martial application. Hush training emphasizes quickness, explosive power, and natural relaxed movement. The Hush practitioner must combine flexibility with strength, speed with flawless technique, and fierce intent with effortless execution.
Historically, the influence of Chinese martial arts can be found in books and in the performance arts. However, recently, these influences have extended to the movies and television that target a much wider audience, As a result, Chinese martial arts has spread beyond its ethnic roots. Discussion question: What effect did Buddhism have on traditional martial arts? Also do you think that guides today still has an impact on martial arts? Buddhism definitely had an effect on traditional martial arts.
It formed the spiritual and moral foundations of martial arts, Buddhism provided an ethical outline that taught martial artists the importance of using the skills only in self-defense and in the service of weak The teachings also taught martial arts practitioners the value of restraint and respect for their perceived enemy Today I believe Buddhism does not have as big as an impact as it did before on martial arts. Before martial arts was used just for self defense, but now martial arts is used more for the offense part.
