The Tao of Kung Fu #4 - "Peace is prized above victory."

In this clip from the pilot episode, a teenaged Kwai Chang Caine (Keith Carradine) asks his Shaolin masters how to deal with force. They respond by telling young Caine to avoid aggression wherever possible. Master Kan takes this idea further by introducing the Taoist concept of wu-wei. This is the practice of achieving more by flowing with nature, rather than using unnecessary force.

This video was taken from the 1970's TV series 'Kung Fu' (Created by Ed Spielman, Herman Miller and Jerry Thorpe). It is essentially an American Western set in the latter half of the 1800's, with an Eastern hero who has neither a gun or a horse. The story follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine); a nature loving Shaolin priest, who had recently fled China. He speaks softly but is no pushover. He lives humbly yet knows great contentment.

Each episode also takes the viewer back to Caine's childhood in the Shaolin temple. It is here under the instruction of the wonderfully charismatic Master Po (Keye Luke) and the stern yet loving Master Kan (Philip Ahn), young Caine (Radames Pera) learns the harmoniously balanced ways of Tao.

The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu series. This makes Kung Fu one of the most authentic interpretations of Philosophical Taoism available in popular culture. I was therefore surprised to see no one else had presented selected scenes from Kung Fu as an introduction to the Taoist philosophy. This is one of about 30 clips I'll be posting here during 2008.

To learn more about Philosophical Taoism and wu-wei, please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Tao
• Taoism
• Master
• Kan
• Kwai
• Chang
• Caine
• David
• Carradine
• Kung
• Fu
• Wu-Wei
• Shaolin
• Chinese
• Philosophy
• Grasshopper

[robelicit]

@yinyangnature ....yes, as Teal'c of SG1 would say, "INDEED"...;-)

the 1st time i realized that yin-yang /Tao principles were infused in Star Wars, i was a teenager waaay bak in old school days & u could barely find books/magazines on Star Wars (i lived in a southern hicktown, hah)..

Finally found a sci fi fanzine & an article on Star Wars / Jedi touched briefly on the Tao & similar things, i can still recall a tiny pic of the Taijitu / yin-yang diagram, truly inspiring, p3ace =][=

[yinyangnature]

@robelicit You may be interested to know that whenever a census is done in my country (Australia), there are always a small percentage of people that state their religion as Jedi. Im sure if these people understood The Forces connection to Dharmic philosophy, they may have stated their spiritual interest as Taoist or Zen Buddhist.

[brucelee12]

There is Taoism in Star wars i think.

[yinyangnature]

You are spot on buddy. George Lucas has a very keen interest in Eastern philosophy. "The Force" is just another name for Tao.

[Chuckonbass67]

thanks so much for posting all of these, they had an early influence on my life that I carry to this day, its awesome to have them at our disposal like this, instant tao

[yinyangnature]

Thank you. You are very welcome!

[redbmusic]

If men practiced these words of wisdom, there would be a lot more peace and harmony in the world v_v

[MissDumbledore]

I LOVE this video, my fav on youtube - it is so powerful and beautiful and said so simply that no one could misinterpret it. So amazing!

[2degucitas]

Wait, it was Keith that was in the pilot? So then, David took over from him to do the series. I must not have been paying attention back then, I was a fan of this show!

[zipper179]

Loved this show.. I felt that the character, Kwai Chang Caine, was a very good role model, especially for us, who were martial arts students..

[GambitFox79]

This is my favorite. Thanks so much for uploading these clips; really can't thank you enough.

[chees3burglar]

I LUV THIS PIECE ... HAD TO SAMPE IT & MAKE A BEAT

[bluezappy]

My favorite of all.

[dharmaseed]

I LOVE Philip Ahn's voice in this.

[FoieGras]

@yinyangnature I always thought that George Lucas was a fan of eastern philosophy w/ all the talk about balance, feel but don't think, etc. Heck, Darth Vader's suit looks like Samurai armor. lol

[thelifeuwant]

thanks for upload :D