What is Wudang?

RobNyc · #1 (**permalink**) July 13th, 2006, 09:32 PM

I was looking on the web and found http://www.wudanginternal.com/ when I searched for Wudang. Me and my cousin are seeking Wudang school(s) in NY and USA to learn more about. I am not sure what is wudang, but i thought bagua, xingiy, taichi were wudang styles. I was told that Wudang styles are different than the internal styles branches currently being taught.

So all I know so far is Wudang is Wudang Tai Chi Chuan.
Anyone care to help here.

I wasnt sure about putting the thread here or where . But wherever it goes please mod move it
Thanks

Sammygirl · #2 (**permalink**) July 13th, 2006, 10:32 PM

Not 100% familiar with Wudang/Wu Tang styles or history but there is a Wikipedia entry on the region & its history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wudang_Mountains

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoist

Taoist philosophy was developed exclusively in China and flourished at the Wudang monasteries. This was unique from Shaolin, which was always a Buddhist monastery whose philosophy originated in India.

I've read that Taoists spent a lot of time studying how to prolong life -- starting with the request of an emperor to make him immortal (I think the same emperor who built that giant tomb filled with clay soldiers). In addition to some rather dubious attempts (drinking mercury e.g.), the monks developed or improved upon some fairly sound technologies like medicine, agriculture and diet.

Anyway, there's a lot wrapped up in Taoism, and a lot of Taoism wrapped up in traditional pursuits, and studying internal arts at a traditional school can give you a nice introduction to the Way.

RobNyc · #3 (**permalink**) July 13th, 2006, 10:48 PM

“	Originally Posted By: Sammygirl Not 100% familiar with Wudang/Wu Tang styles or history but there is a Wikipedia entry on the region & its history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wudang_Mountains http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoist Taoist philosophy was developed exclusively in China and flourished at the Wudang monasteries. This was unique from Shaolin, which was always a Buddhist monastery whose philosophy originated in India. I've read that Taoists spent a lot of time studying how to prolong life -- starting with the request of an emperor to make him immortal (I think the same emperor who built that giant tomb filled with clay soldiers). In addition to some rather dubious attempts (drinking mercury e.g.), the monks developed or improved upon some fairly sound technologies like medicine, agriculture and diet. Anyway, there's a lot wrapped up in Taoism, and a lot of Taoism wrapped up in traditional pursuits, and studying internal arts at a traditional school can give you a nice introduction to the Way.	”

Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate it.
What would you recommend then ?

Sammygirl · #4 (**permalink**) July 13th, 2006, 11:03 PM

I actually don't have a recommendation, but when some other folks wake up in the a.m. they may know where you can look. And of course, check out all the recommended schools personally before deciding on one.

RobNyc · #5 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 02:36 AM

Thanks a lot I appreciate it

FightingGorilla · #6 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 04:54 AM

“	Originally Posted By: Sammygirl Taoist philosophy was developed exclusively in China and flourished at the Wudang monasteries. This was unique from Shaolin, which was always a Buddhist monastery whose philosophy originated in India.	”

I can add a little bit to this for clarity (not much, but some...)

Yes, Taosim originated in China, but it was the Taoist influences that were implemented into the Indian Buddhism that gave us the Chan Buddhism practiced at the Shaolin monasteries. The word Chan in Chinese is the same as the word Zen in Japanese. I think (maybe) more people have heard the term "Zen Buddhism" than have heard "Chan Buddhism" (at least that was my case...) Zen or Chan Buddhism has an inseperable path mixed with Taosim as well...

I just happen to be reading some cool books on Taoism, and they made that tie to Buddhism in the stuff I'm reading. They also tied it in to the form of Chan Buddhism that is practiced at the Shaolin monasteries.

FYI...

There is yet one more classical school of thought in China, and that is Confucianism. Confucius lived between the years of 551-479 B.C. There were two originators of Taoism, a man by the name of Zhuangzi and another by the name of Laozi, somtimes spelled "Lao Tzu". There is actually much debtate over which man actually was the first to originate the Taoist concepts. Conventionally, most people have heard of Lao Tzu, and his book the Daode Jing, sometimes spelled "Tao Te Ching." Few have heard of Zhuangzi. But... it is actually believed in some circles, that Zhuangzi was the predessor to Lao Tzu. There is one more sacred text/ancient text that is a Taoist book, it is called the I-Ching, or in English, that is "The Book of Changes."

There are many different English translations of each of these ancient Chinese texts. Also, each translator has just a touch of difference in some of the passages. Some of the books have long drawn out modern annotations of explanation mixed in between the ancient text writings, and then some have simply the ancient text in English as best as possible.

I ran across a book two days ago that, by title, sounds very weird, but by content, sort of skims the surface of a lot of the Taoist history and thought. Believe it or not, it is called: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Taosim." It seems they have a "Complete Idiot's Guide" to just about any topic known to man... At the store, I also saw "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism" as well as "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism"... and around the corner, they even had "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Catholicism"... they seem to cover all the bases of the world religions... there was even a "Complete Idiot's Guide to Judaism" as well... I imagine there are others...

I figured since I know very little about Taoism, raised in the west, under western philosophical teachings, and western ethics (basically all Judeo/Christian based thought) that the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Taoism" was a pretty good place to start for a complete idiot on the subject such as myself. The road to knowledge sometimes starts with the most humble footprint forward...

A subject of interest to me of late...

There are ties here to Wudang, so I thought it might be interesting to post some of this stuff.

FG

FightingGorilla · #7 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 05:00 AM

Here's one quickie...

The Yin and Yang are concepts that originate in Taoism.

FG

ChiBeast · #8 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 07:05 AM

“	Originally Posted By: RobNyc What would you recommend then ?	”

What are you looking for a recommendation on exactly?

RobNyc · #9 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 11:52 AM

“	Originally Posted By: ChiBeast What are you looking for a recommendation on exactly?	”

Learning Wudang Internal Arts (Wudang Taiji, Bagua, Qiqong, Healing, Meditation etc) or if I can't find none in NY, something close to it

ChiBeast · #10 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 11:57 AM

I can't help you there. I don't know much of anything about Wudang. If you want to talk about Tai Chi let me know!

RobNyc · #11 (**permalink**) July 14th, 2006, 12:09 PM

Well Wudang has Tai Chi Chuan, so I guess

qixingboxer · #12 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2006, 08:12 AM

My internal arts master was trained on Mt. Wudang, and is a I-Kuen-Tao Priest with one of the few I-Kuen-Tao Shrines in America. We just currently closed the school in Carmel, IN, due to low student attendance. He's currently only teachin a few private students. I'm sure he would be more than happy to explain WuDang arts, and any questions on I-Kuen-Taoism. You may reach his email via the schools website www.indianataichi.com.
Hope this may shed some light on your serch.

FightingGorilla · #13 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2006, 11:42 AM

“	Originally Posted By: qixingboxer My internal arts master was trained on Mt. Wudang, and is a I-Kuen-Tao Priest with one of the few I-Kuen-Tao Shrines in America. We just currently closed the school in Carmel, IN, due to low student attendance. He's currently only teachin a few private students. I'm sure he would be more than happy to explain WuDang arts, and any questions on I-Kuen-Taoism. You may reach his email via the schools website www.indianataichi.com. Hope this may shed some light on your serch.	”

Thank you for this link !!!!!!!!!

RobNyc · #14 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2006, 06:17 PM

Thanks. I just finish calling receiving a replied message from Qiangya Liang or Sifu Liang who i emailed. I called him and yes we couldnt communicate well at all its ok I understand why, but I asked him if he knew anyone in New York, and he said so you want to train . what is your teacher . I dont have one i replied. ahhh .. ok.. $50 to train with me for one hour. then he askes is too much money ? I replie I dont know I was just trying to get information as you said you would give me, but I'll call you back. Take Care

So I don't know if it's me or I'm getting the feeling with all due respect all teachers out there and here. That it seems $$$ in the first thing. I don't know but I feel like people are just teaching to make a living out of it, but I'm no one to judge so this is just my personal thoughts please help me here.

“	Diaz:I got your letter. please call my phone 510)451-1872 I well give you some information. qiangya liang <sifuliang@yahoo.com> wrote: Note: forwarded message attached. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:27:37 -0400 From: "ROBINSON DIAZ" <rdiaz19@xxx.net> Subject: Hi To: <sifuliang@yahoo.com> Hi Sifu Liang I am very interested in your Fu style Bagua, Taiji and Liang-Yi . But unfortunately I don't live in CA. I was hoping to learn more from you and hear some recommendation. Is there Wudang in America? Do you have any contacts of wudang in new york? How about all these schools teaching Bagua, Xingiyi and Tai Chi Chuan that doesnt mean they are part of wudang right? If so what is really wudang and what styles can i look for to learn wudang. Also since I see your website being Wudang Boxing this means you teach Wudang styles? Thank You so much look forward from hearing from you Best Regards, Robinson Diaz	”

Sammygirl · #15 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2006, 11:24 AM

You were expecting free?

$50 an hour is pretty standard for personal trainers, martial arts or otherwise.

What you should do is look for internal arts classes taught at area parks, community centers, etc. They probably will not be "direct Wudang lineage" or whatever, but they will cost a lot less (sometimes as little as $5 a class) and you will meet people who know people etc. And if they don't know people, well those internal arts folks are interesting conversationalists in the pub after a workout. Go pick up any of the free "what's happening" type newspapers around town and look for alternative arts in the weekly events section.