Martial Art Institute

The Martial Art Institute's logo resembles the commonly used figure of 'ying-yang', some of it's philosophical approaches are adaptations of the Chinese ancient philosophers as well as sciences. This essay explores the roots of some well-known philosophers' antecedents.

Master Kong Qui (551-479 BCE) was the founder of Confucianism in China. He made an enormous impact as a great teacher of philosophy throughout the Far Eastern countries. His name was latinised in the late 16th century by Jesuit missionaries to 'Confucius'. As a child Confucius was fond of learning and like his contemporaries, he studied the ancient Six Arts: ceremonies, music, chariot driving, archery, writing and arithmetic. In Confucius' time, the sons of aristocracy participated in a school's curriculum that encompassed the typical 'Six Arts'.

He developed an interest in ceremonies and music and hoped to serve as an official in the Court of the Duke of Lu (north-eastern state of China). His ambition was to restore the values and rites of the early Zhou Dynasty (c.1027-256BCE). However, Confucius was eventually appointed Minister of Justice of Lu, but soon after he was unhappy with this appointment.

In 497 BCE, he left his post as the Minister of Justice and embarked on a journey that lasted thirteen years. This took him to several principalities. He tried valiantly to convince the leaders of states to accept his philosophies, but his efforts were largely frustrated. In time, he returned to his native Lu where he abandoned his political ambitions and devoted himself entirely to teaching.

Confucius opened a school in his hometown and named it 'Ru' (moralists or scholars) where he taught philosophy. His philosophical, ethical and religious ideas underlie a universal system of morality, which has survived the test of time. He claimed to be only a transmitter of tradition, not an innovator but nevertheless he originated many of the core ideas that have sustained Chinese civilization for more than 2000 years.

The First Emperor of China 'Qin Shi Huang' suppressed the Confucians during their fifteen years of reign but taken over by the Han Dynasty. It was the Han that elevated Confucianism above all other schools making it the state cult. During the Han Dynasty, Confucianism became established as the basis of Chinese education, a position it held until the beginning of the 20th century. Confucianism was again very successful during the Tang and Song dynasties (7th-13th centuries CE) revived by a man called 'Zhu Xi (1130-1200). It was accepted by the state as the orthodox doctrine throughout the long lasting Ming and Qing dynasties (14th-20th centuries).

After the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, there was a brief attempt to have Confucianism written into the constitution as a state ideology. This proved to be unacceptable by the young intellectuals who protested vigorously claiming it is an obstacle to political and economic modernization. The Communist movement was even more opposed to Confucianism and regarded it as an enemy of progress. In recent years, however, the Chinese government has become more tolerant, mainly because of Confucianism's close links with family system and its emphasis on social order and discipline. Today, although most of the institutions of feudal and imperial China have been swept away, the teachings of Confucius continue to exert an influence on the hearts and minds of the modern philosophers around the world.

During the era of Confucius there were other famous historical figures that greatly influenced the Chinese civilisation. These influences were embedded in the core structure of Kung Fu and the founders of martial arts systems. Such historical figures were Lao Zi (6th or 5th Century BCE) and Siddartha Gautama (late 6th century and early 5th century) or known as the 'Enlightened One'.

Master Wai-Po Tang (present) of the Martial Art Institute (MAI) has adopted some of these ancient cultures, and believe it is an enlighten way of make sense of martial life and martial theories. Hence, the symbol of Ying and Yang of the MAI is a direct inspiration of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Zi or known as 'Old Master'.

In Chinese cosmology two forces operate throughout the universe: Ying and yang. Yang encompasses the quality of brightness, hardness and masculinity, while yin represents darkness, softness and femininity. Confucianism is seen as a yang philosophy, because it believes in actively interfering in and guiding society toward its social and political goals. Daoism (founded by Lao Zi) on the other hand, yin in spirit: passive, meek and content to leave things as they are. Its power comes directly from nature and it can be understood by following the ways of the natural world.

A Confucius analectic:
"To learn without thinking is fatal but to think without learning is just as bad."

Lao Zi's classic book 'Dao De Jing'
"Do nothing, and there is nothing that will not be done"