On September 2, 2024, Li Hongguang from China won the bronze medal in the Men’s Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Competition at the 8th Worldwide Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Competition organized by NTDTV (New Tang Dynasty Television). He showcased his skills in Baguazhang during the competition.
Li Hongguang, who started learning traditional martial arts from a young age, was the kind of student who did not seek out teachers, but masters were willing to teach him. However, during those times, genuine masters of martial arts were afraid to openly take on apprentices, and the number of students eager to learn true martial arts diminished.
Under the communist dictatorship, traditional martial arts, like traditional culture, were viewed as “old customs.” Through various movements and the Cultural Revolution, there was a systematic destruction of traditional Chinese culture, morals, and civilization.
After entering the workforce, Li Hongguang stopped practicing martial arts, and decades passed by. How could one suddenly desire to regain what was once abandoned?
With the passing of the older generation of martial arts masters who understood traditional martial arts, Li Hongguang mentioned that in the past two years, he has come to appreciate the significance of NTDTV’s traditional martial arts competition. In order to support the revival of traditional martial arts through NTDTV’s competition and to help more people understand what real traditional martial arts are, he decided to pick up Baguazhang again after setting it aside for over thirty years.
Li Hongguang emphasized, “Traditional martial arts require a strong physical foundation before practicality. The stances in different martial arts styles vary significantly.” He explained, “Forms are not something you can use simply by memorizing them. Forms are for training your skills and body movements. Training with weapons can enhance your body coordination, making other movements more proficient.”
During the conversation with him, one could feel the meticulousness and seriousness of older practitioners of martial arts.
“Traditional martial arts are all about your foundation; it’s as simple as that.” He continued, “Martial arts performances on TV may look impressive, but those are tailored for the public, and actors in movies and shows build their foundations on that.”
He asked how many people had noticed that in Western boxing, fighters wear gloves not to protect themselves but to protect their opponents.
Why does traditional martial arts require a strong physical foundation? It is to “maximize human potential.” He elaborated, “Many spiritual practitioners have nearly limitless potential, and traditional martial arts encompass these aspects.”
“People nowadays are too eager to be aggressive, some have even developed mental illnesses from training too aggressively. Now, the focus is on how to knock someone out cold or cause harm, neglecting the essence of martial arts – physical wellness and mental cultivation. If a person cannot remain calm and composed, they won’t excel in martial arts or any other pursuits.”
“This practice demands the realization of your potential. Those who overlook ethics and moral cultivation are doomed. Wisdom and moral values are embedded within traditional martial arts,” he shared.
In our discussion, Li Hongguang candidly shared the valuable insights he had accumulated over thirty years.
“Just like how young people nowadays are glued to their phones, losing their health before they turn 20 or risk breaking bones from minor accidents. Many are addicted to technology. Overexposure to screens leads to a decline in critical thinking and memory retention over time.”
He added, “Martial arts require consistent dedication over the years; it’s not a two-month or longer commitment like going to a gym. Martial arts involve self-discipline and self-realization. The practice relies heavily on personal perseverance, reflection, and enlightenment.”
“It’s not about being instructed to throw specific punches and kicks by a coach; it involves a complete lifestyle change.”
He emphasized, “If you’re just here for the excitement, it’s better to find something else. There’s a multitude of foundational skills to learn here. Some students come in and start playing with knives and spears, and once they’re done, they go back to their usual activities like eating and drinking. Such a mindset won’t yield progress.”
“If you are serious about practicing and truly wish to inherit this art, you must be willing to alter your lifestyle. If you lead a mundane existence similar to others, participating in all activities without discretion, it won’t work. Time is finite.”
“One must practice the fundamentals daily and understand their own limits, knowing their suitable intensity of exercise to prevent injuries. You need to discern what suits you best,” he remarked. “It’s essential to cultivate your character and adhere to martial ethics. Taking advantage of situations everywhere is a dead end. Even during sleep, if you seek undue advantage, how can you truly practice martial arts?”
“Martial arts emphasize character, regardless of the style practiced; a focused mentality is essential. After training, you should feel a sense of confidence: not fearing anyone. Upholding principles, justice, and distinguishing good from evil are paramount.”
“You may possess martial prowess, but if you use it for criminal activities or to harm others, that’s unacceptable.”
Lastly, he shared a poignant anecdote, illustrating the paramount importance of martial ethics in martial arts.
A schoolmate of his learned martial arts from a renowned master while his younger brother frequently engaged in fights and got beaten up. Instead of advising his brother to avoid confrontation, the classmate thought, “Let me teach him a few moves.” After training with him for six months, the brother became exceptionally strong. However, he made a fatal mistake: he engaged in a fight and ended up killing someone with a single punch, resulting in a life sentence.
“He spent his life earnings on visiting his brother in prison.”
“Therefore, ‘martial ethics’ are crucial.”