Confucius Thought and Shaolin Kung Fu

Paper Summary:

Comprehension of Confucius's ideas opens the door to understanding the philosophical reasoning of other Chinese principles, such as the martial art known as Kung Fu. The paper shows the message that seems to be extolled in "gong fu," or Kung Fu, is that there is a way, path, or message that, if followed, will lead to happiness and Heaven. This is a Buddhist philosophy and an integral component to the disciplines of Zen Buddhism, as well as the martial art of Shaolin Kung Fu. The paper explains that, while Kung Fu is considered a martial art, and, as such, deals with the physical realities of learning to defend oneself, it is also a component of a spiritual or religious sect. It shows, therefore, that the tenets of Confucianism cannot be separated from the art of Kung Fu.

From the Paper:

"It is only by going 'outside oneself' that a person is able to overcome the restrictions of suffering and to reach Nirvana. Kung Fu embraces an understanding of reason, modeled on the natural world, which equates spiritual attainment with the successful manipulation of nature and natural phenomenon."

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