XING LONG TANG Martial Arts Research Society

XING LONG TANG - a Chinese Martial Art Research Society
醒龙堂中国武术研究会

The Xing Long Tang is not only an autentic chinese martial art school. This is a Research Society to post several studies and white papers in an attempt to highlight the numerous aspects of the Martial Arts and sciences and how they might be of serious interest and value as objects of research by various specialists. It is not only practitioners with a more intellectual leaning that would find much of interest in a study of the Chinese Martial Arts. The Xing Long Tang links up Masters, academics, practitioners and institutions as they contribute to this rapidly expanding field of studies. The Society analyzes ancient manuscripts, training manuals, artefacts from previous generations of Masters, and share them with the Martial Arts community, in hope of keeping the flame of autentic kung fu alive. Xing Long Tang works on interdisciplinary research-, connecting of physical education with philosophy, the sociology of culture, education and humanities. Work up the physical practices of martial art's styles and its spirituality, traditions of the East and cultural dialogues, humanistic theory of martial arts.

We have three main pillars.

Anthropology

Anthropology is the scientific study of the Human Being, at all times and in all types of societies, cultures, civilisations and situations. Therefore, it is quite easy to see from the above that the Chinese martial arts and sciences have a great deal to offer this subject specialism, particularly in what is called “cultural anthropology” which is a sub-division that tends to concentrate upon “ethnology” or the study of certain systematic comparisons between different cultures. The comparison between the different Chinese styles, Teachings of Masters and Leadres and their indigenous martial arts would be a perfectly acceptable study for any cultural anthropologist to embark upon and would no doubt, yield a wealth of interesting data for the researcher(s) and practicioner(s). By our work, we try to demonstrate that martial arts forms are not static entities. Instead they respond to changing environments by a process of constant reinvention. Within the context of martial arts being used as a psycho-educational form of education, the body fulfills, the role of a tool to be used on the way towards enlightenment and wisdom. It is utilized specifically in spiritual progress. Improving one's physical abilities is therefore an ascetic journey of physical perfectionism and technical accomplishment all towards achieving spiritual mastery.

Philosophy and Religious Studies

There are many different schools of philosophy, as well as diverse areas of study (Epistemology, Logic, etc.) But, the areas that would be of special relevance in the martial arts would be both Aesthetics (which concerns itself with art) and Ethics (which concerns itself with morals, duty, scruples and generally “doing the right thing for the right reasons”). The martial arts would be most relevant to the eastern (specifically Chinese) schools of philosophy that have their origin in religions such as Buddhism and Daoism, but certain European schools would also find much of interest, in particular Stoicism which concerns itself with the control of the emotions. The martial arts have always been very heavily influenced by certain religious beliefs and philosophies. Even today, it is possible to see (and learn more) the residue of these influences very clearly in not only the various histories of our arts, but also the rituals and traditions that are still so much a part of them. If we look into the historical origins and of many combative systems, we will find monks, priests and philosophers nurturing them and helping them to develop, if not actually inventing them altogether. Indeed, if it were not for the warrior monks of many cultures and societies, then the martial arts we all know, love and learn today might not have survived at all.

Historic

As already stated above, war and religion are two of the sharpest tools employed in the shaping of human culture and society. In this manner, it could be argued that the Chinese martial arts and sciences have helped to both build and destroy entire empires and nations. Fighting and the use of weapons are so ancient that they actually even predate our own species. Martial arts, then, are actually pieces of “Living History” that allow both historians and the general public a unique insight into the past. In addition to the above, there are several other disciplines that would find much of interest and worth in the study of martial arts. The very practice of martial arts techniques themselves contains a wealth of scientific application. Anatomy, Physiology, Bio-Mechanics, Kinetics, etc, are all a very real part of any training session. Health and fitness, Sports Science, Teaching methods and coaching all also have their place. It is about time that the martial arts and sciences were acknowledged and accepted as being the rich repository of knowledge they truly are. Between the 16th and 17th centuries there are at least forty extant sources which provided evidence that, not only did monks of Shaolin practice martial arts, but martial practice had become such an integral element of Shaolin monastic life creating new Buddhist lore...

Martial arts and those who practice them are now beginning to gain the status and recognition they so richly deserve not only within the closed martial arts fraternity, but also as professionals, educators and researchers. Xing Long Tang publishes the highest quality work on any aspect of martial arts studies. It aspires to stimulate and enrich the development of research in martial arts studies by publishing the highest quality interdisciplinary work in the emergent field. We invite Instututes, Schools and Masters to a common work on a wide range of martial arts studies, especially those focusing on historical, educational, social and cultural issues relating to martial arts.

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