Morality

Morality is a vague term. However, when one looks at it, it is a more specific meaning than virtue.  Morality is a set of choices we make, taught to us or created by us, to live by.  Good morality and bad morality is determined by the positive effects that an action makes to the world as a whole.

One must understand the moral teachings that underlie Wu Gong. Students of Wu Gong, especially martial artists of all styles, must take time to contemplate and understand the great responsibility it is to have such knowledge.

Since Wu Gong is so powerful, personal conduct and good character are of great importance. There are strict rules for students to follow. The most important is: Never hit anyone, never start a fight and avoid fighting to the best of your ability. (If someone wants to fight you, invite them for a cup of tea or coffee.) Always have control over one’s personal anger. Never practice Wu Gong in anger. Instead, relax and do something else that is calming until the anger subsides; go for a walk or garden.  Then when the emotions have calmed down and you have a peace of mind, it is time to practice again.

Humans are unique. We have marvelous achievements we attribute to our moral understanding. At the same time, many of the great evils that plague us we attribute to the breakdown of morality. Books have been written to teach morality. Books have been written to teach us how to live. Throughout history, there have been wars and mass killings because of different ideas different books teach and mob intolerance: violence goes against the morality that is taught.  These books basically teach the same lessons: a meaning of morality and how to conduct oneself in society. In a broad sense, they are not all that different from one other. It is important to stick to the overall idea that will always remain the same: be a good person, which Wu Gong teaches.

A martial artist must realize the importance of leading a moral life. Immoral martial artists (hateful people who learn how to fight and enjoy harming others) do not really practice Kung Fu. They are simply violent. These people do not live according to what Wu Gong teaches. Wu Gong is meant to be a sacred teaching and must not be taken for granted. The martial arts are not simply fighting skills; they are a way of thinking and a way of living a life. This is why masters have to choose students who are morally grounded.

Duty and obligation are in the realm of morality because it is a choice to follow the duty to others and the obligations one makes to others.  As a citizen of the world, it is our duty to take care of nature and all within it, therefore it is our obligation to do so.  As parents, teachers and neighbors, it is our duty to raise our children to be good, healthy, and strong people who care for others.  As soon as a child is born, we are all obligated to guide them for the betterment of society and the world.