KUNG-FU created by Ed Spielman
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KUNG-FU, The Legend Continues
1870's -- Kwai Chang Caine is the son of a Chinese woman and an American sailor. As an orphan, he grew up in a Shaolin temple, taught and trained by Master Po and Master Kan. Unfortunately, Caine kills the Emperor's nephew because he himself had killed Po. The Shaolin priest flees and goes to America (South WEst) where he will attempt to find his half-brother, Danny, while trying to escape American and Chinese bounty hunters.
This series is filled with the Shaolin philosophy and wisdom. The flashbacks transport us constantly into the 19th century China, but everything concentrates on the teachings Caine received when living at the monastery. Who did not wish to spend at least one very relaxing day in the shoes of Little Grashopper? Temples, peace, stillness, masters, disciples, advices...
All the roots of education are contained in the monks' teachings ...
Caine: I suppose the trouble is I don't really want to be a demon.
Kan: Ah, you have hit on a profound truth. Can you tell me what it is?
Caine: I must first decide who and what I want to be.
Kan: And then? In order to achieve that ideal?
Caine: I must become one with it.
Kan: Possess and be possessed by it, until you are what you wish to be; and not merely a mask, attempting to deceive yourself and others
Let them see the question, let them find a solution, and then summarize, turn it into a moral, a lesson for life.
Kwai Chang Caine displays his inner force with calm and conviction. His peaceful attitude is the perfect expression of the ancient Shaolin teachings:
The Shaolin master says: "As we price peace and quiet above victory, there is a simple and preferred method for dealing with force... Run away"
and again, The Brujo: You think you can break my power?
Caine: Yes
The Brujo: And what will you do?
Caine: Nothing
The Shaolin teaching leave place for self development and understanding. The important thing is not to impose the teaching, let it grow in the disciple. Isn't that the dream of any teacher??
Po: Be like the mirror!
Caine: How am I supposed to do that?
Po: Allow no evil to pass through you, reflect it to its source.
Caine: Then shall I be safe?
Po: Go and sleep, Grasshopper.
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the sun goes down on Shaolin, Caine goes through the monastery moon door...When he has
walked a mile, he turns back and looks at his past...A peaceful alter, a perfect
universe...In front of him lies the unknown, the violence of the night and the fear of the
new world. From the crane, we learn grace and self-control. The snake teaches us suppleness and rhythmic endurance. The praying mantis teaches us speed and patience. And from the tiger, we learn tenacity and power. And from the dragon, we learn to ride the wind. Life sustains life, and all living creatures need nourishment. Yet with wisdom, the body learns to sustain in ways that all may live (Kan) |
The ancient Shaolin teachings follow what is written in the Tao Te Ching, and many times, allusions are made to the writings by Master Po or Master Kan. The "do nothing" teaching, let your inner strength guide you and use the oponent's force to fight him... could be very useful in today's world.
Master Po: Vengeance is a water vessel with a hole. It carries nothing but the promise of emptiness.
Young Caine: Shall I then repay injury always with kindness?
Master PO: Repay injury with justice and forgiveness, but kindness always with kindness.
Substance: Be fair and partial when facing violence or grief. Remember to be always kind when someone has been kind to you. Be just and grateful.
The reason why one should not seek vengeance or nourish anger and hate is because it only grows bigger until it becomes all. Once the vengeance is accomplished, nothing is solved and only the criminal's identity has changed.
To hate is like drinking salt water. The thirst grows worst. Caine (An Eye for an Eye)
KUNG-FU, The Legend Continues
1990's,
Toronto
Kung-Fu, the legend continues is back in our present time. Kwai Chang Caine is the grand-son of our super calm hero. After his wife died, Caine and his son, Peter, lived in a Shaolin monastery in California. The monastery was set ablaze by evil forces. Both father and son thought the other had perished in the fire.
Caine, just like his grand-father, sets of for 15 years of wandering around the country before being reunited with his son. Caine, a Shaolin monk himself has found peace and calm in his journey. Peter, on the contrary, had a hard time at the orphanage, living in anger, his reality is violence as he is a policeman affected to Chinatown. He claims :
"I am not my father and I don't do Kung Fu. I am a cop, that's who I am, that's what I do".
The interesting part is the confrontation between the East and the West, white rice and burgers, inner calm and constant explosion of emotions. Father and son finally succeed in building a strong relationship.
David Carradine 
Chris Potter
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