Do I have to be Buddhist to study Kung fu?
Definitely not! At Gold Summit we have had Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Agnostic, Atheist and others study with us. However, It should be understood that the tenets of Chinese Martial Arts are usually interwoven with Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism, depending on the style. These 3 philosophies are a part of Chinese Culture.
Gold Summit's style is a Buddhist style, the same as Shaolin Temple. The difference being that the Gold Summit movements are a bit more graceful and not so hard-meaning that one may practice them much older than Shaolin Temple arts with great success. (Additionally, the use of qigong and theories of yin-yang and harmony with nature-concepts of daoism-are also a part of the Gold Summit style.) Anyone of any background can practice, inquire, study and see for themselves all the way to the Advanced 1 rank. This takes some 10 years. However, in order to Master a Buddhist style Martial Art, a practitioner would definitely have to study and practice Buddhism. If not, this is like trying to drive a bus with 2 steering wheels. There is only one way to drive the bus. That being said, anyone of any background can learn a great amount. It is important to investigate and see for yourself what the true meaning of this is.
Gold Summit's style is a Buddhist style, the same as Shaolin Temple. The difference being that the Gold Summit movements are a bit more graceful and not so hard-meaning that one may practice them much older than Shaolin Temple arts with great success. (Additionally, the use of qigong and theories of yin-yang and harmony with nature-concepts of daoism-are also a part of the Gold Summit style.) Anyone of any background can practice, inquire, study and see for themselves all the way to the Advanced 1 rank. This takes some 10 years. However, in order to Master a Buddhist style Martial Art, a practitioner would definitely have to study and practice Buddhism. If not, this is like trying to drive a bus with 2 steering wheels. There is only one way to drive the bus. That being said, anyone of any background can learn a great amount. It is important to investigate and see for yourself what the true meaning of this is.
Misconceptions about religion and Chinese Martial Arts
As you may have read in the Buddhist Study & Practice page, studying Buddhism can be the same as studying the higher levels of a Martial Art and vice-versa. While many people would separate Buddhism as a religion and Martial Arts for fighting, a true Buddhist Martial Art has no separation. At the higher levels, the art is softer, focusing on the qi and not on fighting. The training of the body fuse with the wisdom and cultivation of the mind. Fighting is possible, and effortless-but it is almost never used.
In addition, it should be understood that Buddhism is truly an education first. The religious aspects are tools in which a person who is cultivating should use to learn the path and stay on the path, but they are the means of use-not the purpose. Simultaneously the Martial Arts should be trained to cultivate the spirit, the morals, and the mind just as much the body. This is not religion, but a way of truth. So how is it that they are truly separate? And how does training in a Buddhist Martial Arts just mean you are religious? Contemplate this idea.
It should also be considered that, the moral education of TRUE Chinese Martial Arts are quite similar to the Buddhist education. In fact, there are probably cross overs with other religions as well. For example, to reach high levels in Martial Arts one must enter a disciplined path free of sexual promiscuity, alcohol and drug intake, cruelty, killing, belittling and gossiping about others etc.
By "high levels" we mean a mind that is at peace within the sufferings of life, the ability to concentrate for long periods of time on proper activities, to endure hardship with positive energy, to lead others down the proper path etc. If you are unable to be disciplined in life, how long do you think your Martial Arts practice will really last? You may learn some things, even reach a good rank, but you will never go beyond the physical into the building of Qi, (energy) long life, and good health. To spend years in Martial Arts training and yet continue to have an undisciplined life would cause you to end up like many Teachers/practitioners in the western Martial Arts world- more than likely, you would just talk well for the sake of money, fame or ego boost. Essentially, you will end up wasting your time. Without discipline, it is unlikely that you would practice daily, and therefore you would not reach good levels.
When we bring in the activities of cultivating in Buddhism - such as when you sincerely practice and use the tools of bowing, chanting, reading sutras and meditating-what is in fact occurring, is that you are cultivating your mind. If you do these things without discipline and sincerity, no results will come. Being disciplined and avoiding excesses in life, including drugs and other indulgences, will allow your wisdom to arise. A good Martial Arts Master has true wisdom. They do not teach simply for business, and they are not focused solely on their own self interests. Buddhism cultivates selflessness, patience, and compassion. Again, qualities that a genuine Martial Artist should practice. Therefore the study and practice of Buddhism is one way in which to cultivate the highest levels of Martial Arts. And the study of a Buddhist Martial Arts is one way to enter the path of Buddhism and ultimately achieve enlightenment.
In addition, it should be understood that Buddhism is truly an education first. The religious aspects are tools in which a person who is cultivating should use to learn the path and stay on the path, but they are the means of use-not the purpose. Simultaneously the Martial Arts should be trained to cultivate the spirit, the morals, and the mind just as much the body. This is not religion, but a way of truth. So how is it that they are truly separate? And how does training in a Buddhist Martial Arts just mean you are religious? Contemplate this idea.
It should also be considered that, the moral education of TRUE Chinese Martial Arts are quite similar to the Buddhist education. In fact, there are probably cross overs with other religions as well. For example, to reach high levels in Martial Arts one must enter a disciplined path free of sexual promiscuity, alcohol and drug intake, cruelty, killing, belittling and gossiping about others etc.
By "high levels" we mean a mind that is at peace within the sufferings of life, the ability to concentrate for long periods of time on proper activities, to endure hardship with positive energy, to lead others down the proper path etc. If you are unable to be disciplined in life, how long do you think your Martial Arts practice will really last? You may learn some things, even reach a good rank, but you will never go beyond the physical into the building of Qi, (energy) long life, and good health. To spend years in Martial Arts training and yet continue to have an undisciplined life would cause you to end up like many Teachers/practitioners in the western Martial Arts world- more than likely, you would just talk well for the sake of money, fame or ego boost. Essentially, you will end up wasting your time. Without discipline, it is unlikely that you would practice daily, and therefore you would not reach good levels.
When we bring in the activities of cultivating in Buddhism - such as when you sincerely practice and use the tools of bowing, chanting, reading sutras and meditating-what is in fact occurring, is that you are cultivating your mind. If you do these things without discipline and sincerity, no results will come. Being disciplined and avoiding excesses in life, including drugs and other indulgences, will allow your wisdom to arise. A good Martial Arts Master has true wisdom. They do not teach simply for business, and they are not focused solely on their own self interests. Buddhism cultivates selflessness, patience, and compassion. Again, qualities that a genuine Martial Artist should practice. Therefore the study and practice of Buddhism is one way in which to cultivate the highest levels of Martial Arts. And the study of a Buddhist Martial Arts is one way to enter the path of Buddhism and ultimately achieve enlightenment.
