ZEN BUDDHISM & KUNG FU

Josh Morin, Annalyn Gali, Eric Flerchinger, Nathan

Pate

The Founding of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu

• Zen Buddhism was founded in the 6th century AD. During the Liang Dynasty to current times.

• Kung Fu began in China around 525 AD during the Laing Dynasty.

Founder

• Bodhidharma founded Zen Buddhism

• Buddhists added Kung Fu to their religion because they were non-violent people, but needed protection

• This is why they put it into their everyday lives.

About The Philosophy

• Namo Amitaufo (land of the Pure and keeping in mind of the Buddha)– To pay respect to Buddha– For Dharma “the way, or the

philosophy”– For strength “seng” the monastic

community or family, as well as one’s master – even including mastering your self.

Zen Buddhism Today• Zen’s philosophy is a lot of mind preparation, so putting that

into modern day would be like taking 30 minutes out of you would need to be mentored in the way of meditation and once one has found that way you can meditate and during the day you will be more calm just like the Zen Buddhist did. This would guide decision-making a lot because if you are calm after meditation you will be calm and able to make smarter decisions while when not in peace with ones self your decision-making would be off. This isn’t a huge problem today because people don’t meditated as much but can still maintain peace. Although this could become a huge issue because if you don’t meditate people could be running wild like a chicken with its head cut off making dumb decisions. Another prime example of there philosophy is Kung Fu this art of defense Is still a type of philosophy today.

• During the Zhou Dynasty, martial arts began to develop concurrent with the philosophical trends of society at the time. Jiao Di horn-butting developed into a system of wrestling known as Jiao Li during the Zhou Dynasty, 1122 BC – 256 AD. Jiao Li is one of the most ancient systems of Martial Arts in the world and was first put down on paper in the ancient Chinese. Jiao Li extended its wrestling repertoire to include sophisticated techniques such as joint-locks, pressure-point attacks plus systemized strikes and blocks. The art was taught to military personnel who also learned archery, war strategy and weapons techniques. Later on Jiao Li became a sport accessible to anyone in the Qui Dynasty around 221 BC. Competitions were held on raised platforms called leitai for popular amusement and military recruitment purposes.

The Philosophy applied In Ancient China

Primary Source (quotes)• “I replied, ‘ Although people from the south and people from the north differ, there I no

north and south in Buddha nature. Although my barbarian’s body and your body are not the same, what difference is there in out Buddha nature?”

• This quote implies that no matter who you are, you will always discover the Buddha nature in yourself if you truly recognize that you being enlightened by it.

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• “[The Fifth Patriarch said], ‘ You should recite this verse so that you will be able to see into your own natures. With this practice you will not fall [into the three evil ways].’

• The body is the Bodhi tree,• The mind is like a clear mirror. • At all times we must strive to polish it,• And must not let the dust collect.”

• This quote shows the individual’s journey to infinity. As the tree begins as tiny seeds then grows open and free, so should the mind and heart. Your mind is a reflection of yourself and you must show