Chi Kung and Religion

[Zhang Wuji]

I found quite by accident a commentary on this issue, specifically, the conflict between a practising Christian and the martial arts. He got much of his information about the Chinese and Indian religions from a common internet source, but what he did cite are accurate so he is not making a strawman argument.

Specifically, the writer warns that a Christian must not participate in Eastern-form meditation. It ties in with what i have said before - there is no need to pretend that the martial arts can be divorced from their cultural and religious roots. While we do see common themes and similarities between all religions, many others do not and they have at least a rational basis for their views. No one should pretend that "qi" is actually the Holy Spirit or make some other forced (and false) analogy in order to justify practising the martial arts.

[George]

While we do see common themes and similarities between all religions, many others do not and they have at least a rational basis for their views.

That's their blockage and they are entitled to hold on to it, if they so choose.


Best wishes,

[Neil Kelson]

I found quite by accident a commentary on this issue, specifically, the conflict between a practising Christian and the martial arts...
Specifically, the writer warns that a Christian...

What is a "Christian?". Even more to the point, a "practising" one?

The reality is that "Christianity" is just as diverse as any of the other major/world belief systems.

It ranges from e.g. "literalist" to "nice/inspiring but probably not true" interpretations of the bible (the exact books of which it comprises, the different strands do not even necessarily agree on). It also encompasses faith-based and Gnostic branches. Some even argue that "true/authentic" Christianity, as expressed in the first few centuries AD prior to the defining role of the early church councils, was heavily Gnostic in its expression and included many practices and beliefs which today's eastern religions would not find incompatible and perhaps even identical except for terminology. Even the (largely) protestant view of justification by faith (in the sacrificial and redeeming action of Christ) is not universally held. Some Christian branches actually embrace justification (spiritual redemption) by works. The whole issue of divine revelation and whether it ceased after the final word of the so-called "New Testament" was written, or continues on to this day and age, is disputed. The exact nature of the Godhead (e.g. the "trinity") is disputed by different branches.

The list goes on and on. Some differences seem relatively minor, others not. Whether major or minor, wars have been fought because of some of them.

The article you have linked to is clearly in one of the protestant branches, with heavy leanings to a "literalist" or "inspired word of God" interpretation of the bible.

There are other "Christians" / "Practising Christians" who may, quite possibly, take a completely different view on the various positions taken in that work.

[Neil Kelson]

hmm, I'm now wondering if these posts should really be in another thread.. :-)

[Steve Clarke]

Hi Wuji,

I have often thought about this topic and have enjoyed your posts.

I see "Qi" as the life giving force of all life, that maintains the working order and spread of all life.
I see it as the "Holy Spirit".

I am curious to know why you think that this may be a, forced analogy?

Steve.

[Zhang Wuji]

Hi Steve

Sorry I only saw your post today. For you and many others, qi is synonymous with the Holy Spirit, but for Christians, the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to continue the work of the Son. The divine or Supreme Reality in the Church are personified, rather than being objective, impersonal realities such as an all-permeating Force. When I said "forced analogy", I meant it from the perspective of the Christian who holds strong beliefs about who or what the Holy Spirit is. He would probably consider your view anathema and even sacrilegious, yet for most in Shaolin Wahnam it is inspiring to see the similarities between the Buddhist view and the Christian one.

I think Sifu's article on perception and reality says it all. Christianity / Catholicism is a faith, after all. A Christian's perception and beliefs will shape his reality, and so if the perception is that qigong and martial arts are evil, he simply cannot practice the arts without a huge blockage.

[Damian Kissey]

Triple Body of Buddha and Trinity of Christianity

Dear Brothers Steve Clarke and Zhang Wuji ,

i remember some relevant Q&A by Sifu about the Trinity & Chi linked here .....

http://www.shaolin.org/answers/ans04a/may04-1.html

Best wishes in Life and in Shaolin ,

[Damian Kissey]

Internal Art & Religion

Another relevant QA (3-6 ) from Sifu.....

http://www.shaolin.org/answers/ans02b/sep02-1.html

[joko]

Thank you

Thank you, Damian Sihing for the Q&A links.

I remember I had read the Q&A before, I guess that was before I met Sifu personally.
.... reading them again, now, has made me find new meanings of the great teachings.

Thank you, Sifu.

Joko