It is likely that on more than one occasion we have encountered the image of a fat, smiling and good-natured Buddha, present either in Buddhist temples, restaurants or any other Chinese establishments. This character, whom many people take for the Buddha, is actually Bùdài 布袋, a Chan 禪 monk of the 10th century whose life was somehow eccentric.
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Many legends attribute the origin of Kung Fu to the Shàolín monastery 少林寺. However, long before the construction of this temple, a long martial tradition already existed in China, which has been, in some way, obscured by the fame of the monks.
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The Ballad of Mùlán 木蘭辭 (Mùlán cí) is an anonymous poem of the 6th century that tells the story of a young woman whose elderly father is called to fight at the borders of the empire. The young woman, named Mùlán, decides to pass for a man and go to the army to replace her father.
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Yíxìng 宜兴 is a small region in the Chinese province of Jiangsu 江蘇. In this área, a material known as “purple clay” (zǐshā 紫砂) is extracted. This purple clay has certain characteristics that make it especially suitable for making teapots and tea sets.
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The Yīn-Yáng 陰陽 Theory emerged in Chinese thought from the observation of nature. This theory postulates the existence of two complementary principles that are present in all that exists. These principles were called yīn, “dark”, and yáng, “luminous”.
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Death has intrigued and dismayed the human being since the dawn of our species. Death is always a cause of affliction, because it is perceived as an alteration in the normal course of things. However, nothing is more natural than death. We share here a couple of tales about death, that reflect the idea that the taoist sages have about this phenomena.
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Last Sunday, April 21, Fóshān 佛山 launched ‘Kung Fu Corner’ 功夫角, a program of martial arts activities that promises exhibitions every Saturday from now until the end of the year. We had the honour of being invited with the school of Master Leong Wai Wing 梁偉永.
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The world of tea is very rich, and offers us a wide range of varieties, flavours and aromas. Discover how different varieties or types of tea are achieved, all with the same plant.
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Xuán Zàng 玄奘 was a leading figure in the development of Buddhism in China. In the 7th century, he traveled along the Silk Road from China to India to collect Buddhist scriptures, in an incredible journey that lasted for 19 years.
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The plum blossom is a recurring symbol within the Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 style of Kung Fu. For the Chinese, this flower represents the ideal virtues of the nation, and has been object of admiration and representation in all kinds of arts for many centuries, from painting to poetry.
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