Buddha Zhen
Buddhist Scientist,
American Philospher,
Poet,
Novelist,
Essayist,
Composer,
Musician,
Kung Fu Shifu,
Tai Chi Master,
Freemason
Tai Chi Magic 1
by Buddha Zhen
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Buddhism
in Shaolin Chi Mantis Schools
Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Gongfu were created by the same man, Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma believed
the Shaolin Monks were out of shape and lazy. He not only perked up their Mahayana
Buddhism with his witty practicality, but he invented the first Gongfu "Kung
Fu" exercises to invigorate the Shaolin Monks. He wrote of moving energy
through the bones of the body, breathing correctly, stretching daily, and punching
exercises. Bodhidharma taught that both spiritual effort and physical effort
were both required to live a spiritual life. So, is anyone correct to eliminate
either Bodhidharma's Buddhism or Bodhidharma's exercises, when they teach Zen Buddhism to
others? No.
A medical doctor must learn much more than how to perform
surgeries. Human nature tends to seek the easiest way to accomplish
something, or the path of least resistance. Often we discard procedures,
techniques, efforts, and exercises that may be beneficial but
we 'think' we can do without. Sometimes the benefits of something
are not evident when we initially learn or see them. Just as a
doctor must TRUST his career to his curriculum, we trust that
the doctor has been adequately trained before he opens up our
body and starts exploring. Insufficient training could be deadly.
Shaolin Chi Mantis students
can trust their development to the Shaolin Chi Mantis curriculums largely because
of the Buddhism included and required of all levels of training. Buddhism develops
the mind more than it seeks to develop anyone's soul. We have proven that mental
development is fundamental to both spiritual development and physical development.
An insecure person may overdevelop their arms or torso from weight training
because of their mental imbalances. By balancing the physical training with
mental training Shaolin Chi Mantis students develop their bodies with better
motives that will benefit them rather than further unbalance them.
People who join a Karate school are joining a Japanese boxing school.
People who join a kick boxing school are learning Asian boxing.
People who join a TaeKwonDo school are learning Korean boxing.
People who join a boxing school are learning boxing.
Shaolin Kung Fu is a Buddhist school that teaches many weapons. Good thing we don't do boxing.
Buddhism is
everywhere at every moment. Buddhism makes life
more fun and understandable. Buddhism is the primitive oriental
philosophy that modern Quantum Physics now recognizes as the Truth
of the universe--that all things are connected and that all things
affect all other things in the universe. Buddhism also involves
understanding how people think, act, and react, long before the
word 'psychology' was invented.
Buddhism teaches that we are mortal--so get used to it--then seek to surpass your mortal expectations.
Ironically, although Buddhism may teach to minimize expectations it expects
more development and personal achievement than any other earthly religion. That
is why membership is not really required in Buddhism.
Spiritual and mental achievement
should be part of whatever religion you already belong to. Buddhism may just
help you find it more easily in your current religion or show you how enlightenment
can easily exist outside of your religion, without requiring you to quit or
be excommunicated by your religion. Buddha always taught that "if you're
happy with your religion, keep it."
Mortal expectations
are what slow down our development and evolution as people and spirits. The
Buddhism of Shaolin Chi Mantis is the catalyst of our teachings that makes us
burn hotter, be stronger, and think better. Where would Shaolin Chi Mantis be
without Buddhism? We don't want to know.
Update: March 2010: There have been wars in the name of Yahweh. There have been wars in the name of Allah. There have been wars in the name of Jesus. There have been wars in the name of God. How many wars have theme been in the name of Buddha? Yep. Zero.
Buddha Zhen Shen-Lang
Patriarch, Shaolin Zen
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