The Tao of Kung Fu #11 - "Accept the ways of others."

In this clip from the episode "Sun & Cloud Shadow", Master Po is using a pond of lotus flowers as a metaphor for enlightenment. All people draw from the same pond of existence, yet each obtains a different level of understanding. Master Po reminds Caine that a tall flower is no more beautiful or superior than a short flower.

This is in direct reference to a teaching of the ancient Taoist sage Lao Tzu, the author of Tao Te Ching. From chapter 49 of this Taoist sacred text, 'An enlightened person is not obstinate. She accepts what others have willed for themselves. She accepts those who appear good to be good; and she accepts those who appear bad to be good also.'

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 the 'Tao Te Ching' and Philosophical Taoism, please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Tao
• Taoist
• Taoism
• Lao
• Tzu
• Te
• Ching
• Daoism
• Caine
• David
• Carradine
• Kung-Fu
• Shaolin
• Philosophy
• Master
• Po

[iluvm16]

@TaoFAQ Thank you for your words of wisdom

[yinyangnature]

@iluvm16 Thank you! Nonetheless wisdom ia always relative. Others may see my words as that of a fool, and that's OK too. (Alias TaoFAQ)

[tolstoy143]

I wish I had a Master Po in my life; I know he's a fictional character but he is such a great and inspirational character. I watch all these videos from time to time to remind myself of their simple truth.

[yinyangnature]

@tolstoy143 If you are looking for someone to in part wisdom onto you, you may like to try listening to audio of the late Alan Watts (1915 -1973). He is the English philosopher that introduced Buddhism, Taoism & Zen to the Hippies in the 1960s. I have some videos on my channel of his audio and there are hundreds of hours available on the internet for free. However, please always remember a guru's role should be to liberate you and not make you dependant on them personally.

[Wolvenfire86]

Beautiful stuff, but did he drink the liquor?

[yinyangnature]

@Wolvenfire86 No he didn't. You can watch the entire episode on the Youtube channel "girlfromrio".

[TurquoiseLamp]

Excellent advice on moderation, I agree 100%. :-)

[UKGLfemaddict]

christians can't accept my ways of being a proud NON christian.

muslims can't accept my ways of being a proud NON muslims.

jews can't accept my ways of being a proud NON jews.

[JuanDeSoCal]

Master Po rocks.

[jamesarongray]

man so how did he handle that situation based on what was said? common!

[deanwest15]

you define greed as something that makes us want more than we need to live. In other words, if someone is barely alive, then they're not greedy. If you look in the world, how many things are barely alive?

[physical815]

This kung fu is great.

[ArcadePerfect]

It's a shame that many others cannot or refuse to see the wonder in the dilemma of their own existence.

Not that I feel supreme at all, (because clearly I am not), only different.

:D*

[kopi5896]

I like Kung fu movie very much. thank you

[joejoeaudy]

Thank you for sharing