[QUOTE=B-Rad;829608]In other words, that’s when it started being pushed by the government in their martial arts programs and became a more formal aspect of TCMA. Before that, everything was more clannish and gang like (more about family loyalty rather than having any universal code of wu de). I couldn’t say if it’s true or not, but I think that’s what he’s referring to.[/QUOTE]
yes its what I am getting at.
ok shaolin, wudang, like most temples in the past had protectors which were usually the monks there. shaolin was famous for its staff work, wu dang its sword. shaolin also became the basis for many legends and lineages. as for the specific martial art being taoist or buddhist, that was never taught like that in the past. thats one of the modern changes to Martial arts, its like asking a hunter if his rifle is catholic or protestant. I am not saying that is a bad thing, but it is relativly new concept.
most of the morals we see in kung fu movies were based of confucism i believe. i dont study it but the chinese seem to like it a lot.
movies are where we get a big perception of martial arts and how they acted. goes for in USA and CHINA. where in fact movies are movies.
i’m not saying all martial artists didnt have morals, there were many that did. many that didnt.
martial artists in the past were soldiers, bodygaurds, etc, people with no money. (like i said it was looked down upon.). it wasn’t looked upon very highly to be one. not until mid to late qing era did that change. most martial artists were soldiers, officers in army, street performers, or bodygaurds, if they didnt have other skills that let them advance.
martial arts was used for killing and protection back in the day. yeah it was to become strong, but if you went to a village, most of the people working the fields had good muscle to them already from their various works. in the cites people were weaker.
sorry if this doesnt fit into your world of “all martial artists were probably like wong fie hung and the “good guys” in the movie 5 deadly venoms.”
samurais (sp?) read confucious cause they apreaciated art and stuff too. midevil japan and china are 2 different places. martial arts in china were often poor, this goes back to what i sadi earlier. they couldnt read or write the morals of confucious (not until late qing era and the republic did they start teaching reading and writing), only people with money could learn to read. of course they had the basic morals I am sure.
