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The Philosophy Of “Sanshangong" |
| As an authentic martial art “Sanshangong” acknowledges Oriental philosophy that relates directly to Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Essentially, Buddhism addresses balance, Daoism addresses ancient Chinese medicine, and Confucianism addresses ethics and morality. As does “Sanshangong”. Given that the Chinese Martial Arts stem largely from Indian attitudes and culture, “Sanshangong” embraces a certain degree of Indian philosophy whilst Zen – a Japanized version of Chinese “Chan” – also features heavily within “Sanshangong” for Zen is primarily concerned with the shattering of illusion and the development and cultivation of oneself. |
| Zen (Chan) Mention the word “Zen” and one often thinks of the “Zen riddle” or “koan”, the most well-known of all “koans” being, “What is the sound of a one-handed clap?” The answer to such a riddle is not be ‘realized’ immediately and is not meant to stem from one’s intellect, but from a subconscious understanding…and it is the same within “Sanshangong”. Indeed, the “forms” one learns within “Sanshangong” are, effectively, “physical koans”. |
| Karma and Compassion As a compassionate Martial Art and one that believes in ‘karma’ and therefore ‘cause and effect’, the physical skills one learns within “Sanshangong” should only be used against another individual as a very last resort. At all times, one should,“ignore the insulting tongue” and duck the provoking blow” (Master Kan) although such philosophy must not be taken to a point of extreme, for this would only prove naïve if not dangerous! |
| Bruce Lee Although a very modern man, raised in America and, by all accounts, quite materialistic, Bruce Lee founded a Martial Art (Jit Kuen Do) underpinned by a lot of ancient Oriental philosophy. As a result of my research I have discovered that a great deal of the philosophy within “Sanshangong” just happens to be in-tune with Bruce Lee’s own martial philosophy. |
| You “Sanshangong” is something you practice for yourself. Others benefit indirectly, but it is you and only you who can actually benefit directly from your training. Others may not and probably will not understand what you are doing, but then that is their problem not yours! Whenever someone would say to me, “I think that what you are doing is silly, and you are wasting your time”, my reaction would be, “To not understand a man does not make him confused!” (Master Po) |
| “Wenwushuangdao” Traditional Chinese Martial Arts always acknowledge this concept, often refered to more simply as “Wenwu”. “Wenwushuangdao” literally means “Literature (wen) Martial (wu) Together (shuang) The Way (dao). Many highly-acclaimed martial arts Masters were said to be men of “Wenwu”. This meant that by balancing their studies (reading, writing, and physical martial arts practice) they would thus attain the highest degree of both skill and understanding. In Japanese martial arts this concept (Bunburyodo) is often reflected by way of the concept, “Sword and Brush”. As a martial artist for almost thirty years now I have found balance in life through my physical practice (of martial arts) as well as through my writing (of Martial matters) and my reading of Martial texts. |
| Wudao (Budo) “ At first the Samurai wanted to obtain special powers: striking, remarkable, magical abilities. They wanted to go through fire without being burned or be able to have a boulder fall on them without being crushed. So they trained their minds deliberately to obtain supernatural abilities and powers. Later, they came under the influence of Zen. At that point, the way that taught how to cut their enemies in two became the way that taught how to cut one’s own mind. A way of decision, resolution, determination. That was true Japanese Kendo, true Budo. Strength and victory flow from decisiveness. One moves beyond the level at which most people stop, one transcends the conflict, transforms it into a spiritual progress. There was nothing sport-like about training in those days: the Samurai had a higher vision of Life.” **As does the sincere practitioner of “Sanshangong”. |
| Nowness For many years my life revolved around training and travelling. Training in Martial Arts and travelling around the World. On many occasions I would meet other so-called travellers who would moan and groan about how boring it was to fly for six hours or fifteen hours because they just wanted to be at the place where they wanted to go! So consumed by their future arrival they had no concept or understanding of the journey, itself. To me, this always seemed so ridiculous - and still does even now! In closing this chapter, I will leave you with a relevant and poignant quote. A quote from the most well-loved and most famous of all Japanese “haiku” poets: Basho Matsuo (who actually came from a Samurai family). This quote is my favourite of all “haiku” poetry, and whilst it serves as a wonderful code by which one may study both the depth and dimension of “Sanshangong”, this haiku is also the code by which I live my life. Embracing two all-important and all-essential Zen concepts – the concepts of now-ness and is-ness - the verse reads: |
| The Physical Stairway Some years ago I came across a wonderful quote which sums-up or epitomizes “Sanshangong” perfectly. The quote allegedly comes from a 19th Century Martial Arts Master named Kanagusuku Sanda - a member of the Nobility and a native of Okinawa (the birth-place of karate). The quote runs as follows: “A true Master need only attack and disarm with his mind; physical training is a stairway to this end.” |
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As there currently exists no in-depth or extensive literature on “Sanshangong” (aside from this handbook) I would like to recommend two excellent books you may wish to read as the philosophy contained within both titles do reflect very well the core philosophy of “Sanshangong”. These two books are: “The Wandering Taoist” by Deng Ming-Dao (ISBN 0-06-250226-3) “The Zen Way To The Martial Arts” by Taisen Deshimaru (ISBN 0-14-019344-8) BACK TO TOP |