Unveiling the Essence of Wushu: An Interview with Master Bao Kang Jian

Master Bao meditation

Discover the essence of Wushu through the eyes of Master Bao. From his roots in Xinyi to training at Shaolin Temple, delve into his Wushu journey, the the mission of Maling Shaolin Kung Fu, and the transformative power of martial arts.


My name is Bao Kang Jian. I was born in Xinyi City, Jiangsu Province, China in 1986. Influenced by the atmosphere of people loving Wushu (martial arts), I started to learn from a local master at a age of 8 years old. By the age of 12 years old, I had already formed a solid Wushu foundation. In order to pursue my Wushu dream and achieve more in Wushu, I formally acknowledged Grandmaster Shi De Qian (renowned as King of Shaolin Books) as my shifu (master) and was granted my Buddhist name Shi Xing Jian. While learning from my shifu, I learned the traditional Shaolin fist forms, long & short weapons, soft weapons, Qi Gong, etc. My specialties are Shaolin Hong Fist, Luohan Fist, King Kong Fist, Eagle Fist, Tiger Fist, and other animal styles; Qigong Baduanjin and Yijinjing; Three-Section Staff, Nine-Chain Whip, and other soft weapons. To understand the deeper meaning and spirit of Wushu, I later learned Tai Chi, Baji, and other internal Wushu.

鲍康建(法号:释行建),86年生于中国江苏新沂,8岁的时候受周围习武风气的影响开始喜欢武术并在当地方拜师学艺,12岁武术基础扎实,为满足更高更全面的武术追求前往少林寺拜”少林书王”释德虔(王长青)为师,赐法号释行建。期间训练学习少林传统拳术,长短兵器,软兵器及气功等。其最擅长少林洪拳,罗汉拳,金刚拳,鹰拳,虎拳等传统拳术, 还深度学习了八段锦和易筋经,以及三节棍九节鞭等软兵器。为满足后期更好的传承武术同时又练习了太极八极等内家门派武术。

After training for many years, and influenced by my master’s dedication, Wushu has become a part of my body and spirit. I opened my own school so I can pass on what I learned from my master and let more people benefit from Wushu training. That’s what I always wanted and what I consider my biggest responsibility.

多年的武术生涯,深受师父的影响,武术已成为身体的一部分,开办学校可以专心研究传统功夫文化并发扬光大,让中国功夫得到更好更正宗的传承也是责任所在。

Therefore, I founded my own Wushu school, Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy, in October 2009. Since it was founded, I have been dedicated to passing on this great art. I care every student of mine, and work hard to assure that they can get what they want from my school. Meanwhile, I try all means to dig out the great potential of students and push them to break their limits. My wish is for everyone who ever comes to train at my school would benefit in all levels, and have a better understanding about Wushu.

马陵山弘禅武校自2009年开办以来一直秉承武术传承的理念,满足学生的需求,让他们可以在这里学到他们喜欢的东西,同时可以最大限度的激发学员的潜能,做到让每一位学员来到这个地方都不枉此行,让他们在武术修为方面更进一步。

In Wushu practice, many elements are involved, including hand, eye, body, feet, spirit, Qi, energy, etc. In terms of physical fitness, Wushu can train people from the outside and the inside, and strengthen every joint and muscle. No other type of sports activity can work out people’s body in such a complete way. In terms of practical fighting and defense, every single move in Wushu has a meaning, a purpose of strike or defense. When you are really good at doing some form or move combinations, you will see it’s application/fighting meaning clearly. As the old Chinese proverb says “practice makes perfect.” When you actually master a move, you will apply it as a natural reaction. In Wushu, every single move is designed by following the law of nature, and it’s meant to combine our body and nature harmoniously. After you train Wushu for years, you can actually feel the truth of this principle- that which works for Wushu training, works for our life too.

武术中包含了手,眼,身,法,步,精,神,气,力,功,等非常全面的练习。放在锻炼身体方面它可以对人身的各个环节进行内外全面的锻炼,这是任何体育项目都达不到的效果。放在实战防卫方面,它的每一招一式都包含了攻防含义,当你对某一个套路或动作熟练掌握以后自然会明白它的用法,熟能生巧,把动作练成自己的自然反应当你面对进攻的时候招式自然而出防守攻击一气呵成。武术谚语讲“拳打千遍其义自现”亦是这个道理。在中国我们讲道法自然,每一个动作的运行轨道都是遵循自然法规让身体与大自然更完美的结合,在你长久练习以后你会感觉你的身体和这个世界的很多运行规律是相辅相成的,人生道理也是如此。

The biggest challenge in Wushu training is to overcome the tedium of long time repeatable practice. Most Wushu practitioners will meet this challenge in middle of the training process. Feeling lost is part of the journey, but it will make you grow and improve so much if you can pass over this stage. The purpose of training Wushu is not only for self-defense or fitness. It’s the philosophy and enlightenment you will get from it, especially when you live through the most difficult stage and break your own limits.

习练武术最艰难的部分就是要克服长期训练带来的枯燥乏味,大部分人习武中途都会经历这个阶段。产生迷惘是人生道路上必不可少的也是可以让你成长的一部分,跨过去可以上一个台阶。武术也是一样,不光是为了防身或是锻炼身体,当你真正的超越了自己下一个阶段所追求的将是你人生的哲理。

qigong standing meditation

The original purpose that one chooses to learn Wushu might be because he/she wants to get in shape, achieve fitness goals, or simply because they think Wushu is something very cool to do. It is the curiosity which makes one to start, but most people feel it’s much different from they expected. It’s doing the same thing over and over again. However, you would be thrilled by discovering how much your body changes and improves. The process is like eating some delicious food; you like the taste so much when you first eat it, but you don’t even want look at it after eating a lot for a long time. It’s when you learn how much nutrition this food can bring to your body that you will start enjoying eating it again, and become to get used to its taste and make eating it as habit.

一个人最初的习武目的可能是因为打架锻炼身体或是很酷,最初是很新鲜,当你真正开始了你会感觉一切都是那么的单调乏味,每天重复着同样的动作和事情,但是当你发现了自己身体的进步和变化,又是那么的兴奋和激动。过程就好像是吃到某一种美味,,开始很好吃,吃多了会腻,时间长不吃又想吃,在你真正懂得了这种食物的营养价值的时候你不会再去在意这个食物的口感而是对它养成一种依赖和习惯。

The ultimate meaning of Wushu is the same. The learning and training process will make one find his true self and therefore make his life more meaningful. If you decide to learn Wushu, you must set yourself a firm goal and put all your spirit in training, constantly remind yourself of your goal. Every time your body has a breakthrough, it’s is also your life’s breakthrough.

武术的意义亦是如此,习武的过程可以让你的人生变得更完美并找到自我。武术的意义同时也是人生的意义,所以在你开始习武的时候一定给自己一个坚定的信念,每一次身体的突破都是你人生的一种突破。

“Dripping water wears through a stone”. It’s not because the stone is soft, but because water drips constantly.

滴水石穿不是因为石头的软弱而是水滴的坚持。

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