A PIECE OF HISTORYTaoism ~ Chi Gung ~ Nei Gung ~ Tai Chi |
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Our ancestors, undistracted by the various forms of modern entertainment (television, video, etc.), focused their energies on researching and improving ways of meeting true human needs. One group, the earliest Taoists, developed a complete detailed system of knowledge that includes principles of food preparation, exercise, healing, sexology, spirituality, etc. This system is called Taoism, a word that today is misinterpreted with a religious connotation. Perhaps Taoism is the most ancient system of knowledge on earth, probably even preceding the traditions of Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, India and Greece. It began over 6000 years ago, and Chi Gung (and Nei Gung) was a fundamental part of this system.
The next detailed information about Chi Gung was discovered from bronze vessels, dated 16th century BC, showing human figures in Chi Gung postures. Moving on, by 1000 BC Chi Gung had spread and was regularly used by Chinese people in their search for health and longevity. Later, between 700 and 220 BC, it absorbed the concepts of the I-Ching and Lao Tzu and Confucian philosophies. From 4th century AD, Chi Gung received many Buddhist influences from the Shaolin monastery. Among the influences was Bodhidharma, Indian prince and founder of Chan Buddhism: Chan, or Zen, meditation became a very important aspect of Chi Gung. Then other influences from the Shaolin monastery enhanced Chi Gung martial aspects.Chi Gung also became a very important part of Chinese medicine which used it for prevention and treatment of a number of illnesses. In 610 AD "The Causes of Diseases" was published, a colossal work in 50 volumes which was the first book on Chi Gung therapies. At this time there were already the five main kinds of present day Chi Gung: Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, martial and medical. There currently exists over 100 known techniques that can be grouped in these five main categories. There have also been several times in which Chi Gung was put underground by Taoists, when it reached the point when it could become a cult; this action can attest to the seriousness and down to earth nature of Taoist Chi Gung. Furthermore, Chi Gung was banned several times in Chinese history, the last one during the Cultural Revolution: it represented one of the "old" things to be eliminated. Nevertheless, during the mid '50s, the same Chinese government had chosen Chi Gung, along with Tai Chi, as official methods for prevention and treatment of many illnesses: Chi Gung could be practice at home and was also inexpensive. In later years the Chinese government has declared the "officially approved" Chi Gung systems, in the attempt to control its diffusion. Taoist Chi Gung is characterized by the presence of Nei Gung ("inner skill") and there is a distinction between the two traditions: Fire Method and Water Method. The latter had been passed on by Lao Tzu who put in writing its philosophical principles. The legend says that when he decided to go in voluntary exile, a guard stopped him at the border. The guard, who was one of his former students, recognized him and forbid him to leave the country, unless he was going to put down in writing his teachings. Therefore Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, a book of 81 brief paragraphs that is today the most translated text in the world after the Bible. |
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