The Tao of Kung Fu #25-"Can any man afford such arrogance?''

Learn more about the philosophy of the Shaolin here.................
 
This scene from the 'Arrogant Dragon' episode of the 1970's television series 'Kung Fu'; is a personal favourite of mine. I often think of how wonderful it would be to have the guidance of such a charismatic and wise teacher as Master Po. Someone who would gently challenge one's intellect and implant the seeds of wisdom within all he encountered.

In this scene young Caine (Radames Pera) and Master Po (Keye Luke) are ambushed by a thief while on their return journey to the temple. To avoid unnecessarily escalating the situation, Master Po initially cooperates with the thief. However, as the thiefs requests become increasingly unreasonable, Master Po decides to defend his property and we see the robber beat a hasty retreat.

In a world that generally sees force and control as favourable attributes, most of us reason that "turning the other cheek" is not a viable option. Naturally, the best way is to always distance yourself from hostility and avoid situations where conflict is most likely.

It must be noted that in this clip Master Po neither reacts with anger or cruelty. Nor does he pursue the thief in an attempt to exact retribution. He only uses enough force to end the situation and nothing more. In chapter 67 of the Tao Te Ching, the Taoist Lao Tzu reminds us "When people are gentle, they have no fear of retaliation." (Bahm translation)

Too often people and regularly whole nations respond with force that is beyond what is necessary. We frequently see the defender become an oppressive victor; thus creating a endless cycle of retribution. Think of the numerous brutal tit-for-tat conflicts in the world today, where deep hatred is past down from father to son for generations.

Consequently, the first goal in any conflict must be to resolve it using the minimum of force and resisting the desire for ascendancy. For the greater the humiliation and harm inflicted; the greater the repercussions and the freedoms forgone.

As always, I welcome your philosophical thoughts, questions and comments.


To learn more about the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu or the Taoist philosophy, please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Dao
• Taoism
• Tao
• Grasshopper
• Retribution
• Master
• Po
• Keye
• Luke
• Caine
• Radames
• Pera
• Kung
• Fu
• Martial
• Arts
• 1973

[k1mcheenoodle]

I think master po meant this. Can any man afford such arrogance when we are all equally desperate and in need not so much of the material but the spiritual currency of love, wisdom, compassion and humility which is symbolized by the book. I also liked how young caine recognized the thief as "a man in need" and not the more pejorative denotation "thief".

[yinyangnature]

@k1mcheenoodle Great insight my friend.

[yugiohsc]

Would someone please explain to me why Master Po claims the thief was arrogant? In a sense, what he says is true. The monks have food and shelter while he may not. Does his acknowledgement of his lacking make him arrogant, or his over generalization of the monk's wealth? Or neither?

[yinyangnature]

@yugiohsc Have you read my commentary for this clip? It's found directly below the viewing window?

Master Po was willing to give the thief two bowls. He even allowed the thief to justify his actions by criticising the Shaolin temple. However, when the thief wanted his book of poems merely to start a fire; this was nothing but malevolence. For even the desperate are not above the practice of Compassion, Moderation and Humility.

[atfatw]

I wonder if Master Po (Keye Luke) was a buddhist

[yinyangnature]

@atfatw I'm not Chinese, but I understand that most Chinese of Keye Luke's generation would have been raised with the knowledge of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The Shaolin practised Ch'an Buddhism (Zen in Japanese) which is the union of Buddhism and Taoism. Confucianism is a tradition of social etiquette. Of course much of this changed with the recent introduction of communism.

[nmfrancia]

Consequently, the first goal in any conflict must be to resolve it using the minimum of force and resisting the desire for ascendancy. For the greater the humiliation and harm inflicted; the greater the repercussions and the freedoms forgone.

I love this analysis! Thank you!

[RedQNZ]

My guess is the arrogance is that the robber thought that since he had a knife he could just do and take what ever he wanted from anyone he wanted.....he thouhght he was invincible b/c he had a knife something along those lines

[darkunorthodox]

@dandorry you are overlooking it, stealing the book was mostly spite, obviously if the guy is in the middle of a forest, he can burn plans and wood, but he completely disregards anothers's valauble even when they are almost useless to him

[duqmiguel]

Imagine if all of "You Yube" came to an awareness as this small little snipet has inspired, we as a whole, would be on are way to making our existence better for all, instead of the few.

[0428733]

beaten by an old blind man, thief should quit

[FreekeeChakra]

"Resisting the desire for ascendancy." Yes, indeed. That makes all the difference in resolving conflict.....neutralize instead of dominate. I think it would be wonderful to be in the presence of someone like Master Po, Master Kan, or even young Caine :) I liked how he saw the thief as "a man in need."

[Sterreism]

LOL

[dandorry]

No, the arrogance of which Po speaks is his own. He needs to keep the book to remember that, though he may have memorized the poems, time may steal the memory from him. The book is a reminder that the body ages, decays...is imperfect.

[jpapare]

This little clip certainly generated a lot of thinking!