The pig’s head, fruit and wine lay out in the open air at the feet of Chen Wang Ting. Spiraling coils of pungent incense swirl and rise skyward. The dignitaries from the community, the government and the Chen Family ceremoniously take their places on chairs to the right of the altar and 150 international students fan out around the stage with anticipation. We are scolded to not stand behind the statue of the founder of Taijiquan but many set up there anyway for the best viewing angles. Cameras click and video cams whirl as 12 new disciples walk on the red carpet towards the altar and line up in front of Chen Xiao Wang. The Gate Keeper is seated on a high backed ebony chair, his tiger eyes steady and present. The moderator’s voice booms through the loud speaker announcing with solemnity and import the various aspects of this time-honored and special tradition: the taking of disciples into the family. Davidine expertly translates this archaic text. Students kowtow to Grandmaster pledging to adhere to him as their master and also to the WuDe, the Martial code of etiquette and honor. They receive their booklets in the spirit of ritual & custom. Firecrackers explode; everyone claps and cheers. Techno-pop blares out from the loudspeakers.
Techno-pop? Those of who took our discipleship in 2006 looked at each other, did a little boogie dance to the music, laughed, but then subtly shook our heads. We didn’t have to say it, though later we did, how odd it was to have techno-pop music accompanying this sacred ceremony. “Wow, I’m so glad it was more traditional when we went through it.” I guess we didn’t really have the place to judge this odd juxtaposition since we were the ones, who with Chen Xiao Wang, broke the container 5 years ago. With the exception of Jan Silberstorff and perhaps one or two other non-Chinese, our group of 27 was the first major induction of foreigners to become disciples of Chen Xiao Wang and the Chen Family, the originating family of Taijiquan. As I think about it, likely our Chinese elder disciples and other family members attending that ceremony also shook their heads as they scanned all the international faces being invited into their centuries old, closed tradition. They probably went home to their families and around the dinner table said, “wow, it is all different now.”
As I awaken to day two in the Village I am beginning to settle in not just to the fact that everything is so rapidly evolving here but that I and my Taiji brothers and sisters are a fundamental part of it. When Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang left China 22 years ago he caused a tremendous ripple in convention. He was the gatekeeper of Taijiquan, one of the strongest national identifiers of China. He left, became an Australian citizen and proceeded, without European language skills, to open up his family’s art, the original Taijiquan, to the world. He suffered greatly because of his decision and spent years ostracized by his home country. But, through steady work, a calm mind and a flowing heart, he is back in the good graces of China along with a global entourage of students and disciples.
Perhaps then we are speaking of a new tradition. I am training next to one of the new disciples, Lela, who has done much to spread Taijiquan in Brazil over the past 7 years. I asked her how she did it so quickly. She said, “through cooperation.” She told me that Brazil has many different schools and styles, fragmented throughout the country. No one really talked with each other. When she, with the help of Jan, began to open Chen Taijiquan centers, she called these other schools and organizations and asked them to work together so that they could help not just each other but all the students too. It worked. Brazil has such a high collective regard for Taiji that one can see huge billboards along the highway promoting it. All in seven years.
Taijiquan is a powerful martial art, a tremendous strength and fitness practice but mainly Taijiquan is an art of an enlightened mind. Chen Wang Ting, its founder, recognized the world was changing. The Ming Dynasty had fallen. His services as a general were no longer required. And so he retired to the Village for reflection and study, formulating Taijiquan, effectively immortalizing his family's tradition. Shortly thereafter his successor Chen Chang Xing broke the container and taught the first non-family member, Yang Lu Chan who then created Yang Style Taijiquan. The tradition of Taijiquan was not meant to be relegated soley to the Village or even exclusively in China, locked into the past, it is meant to be spread all over the world. And along with teaching us its beautiful forms and strong fighting skill, it is meant to nourish our heart of cooperation and openness.
After the ceremony, we all, old and new disciples, Chen Xiao Wang and the rest of the Chen Family, bow to our ancestors. Back at the training hall we take our well-organized places in front of the huge calligraphy: WuDe, the code of etiquette & respect. Chen Xiao Wang stands on the makeshift stage directly in front of it and says, “open feet, check posture, relax your spine, weight balance, relax your dantien, calm down.” The hall is utterly silent except for the synced breath & quite mind of the students. We raise & lower our arms and begin the form. This is the old tradition: everyone practicing together, learning from his or her teacher and from each other. This is the new tradition: everyone practicing together, learning from his or her teacher and from each other.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Kim
PS Doug & Kevin are having a great time!
Hi Kim,
Thank you for mentioning Lia's work here in Brazil. If Taiji is evolving here, it truly is because of her and Jan's hard work: http://wcta.com.br
All the best!
Posted by: Eduardo | May 10, 2011 at 09:15 AM