Lessons in Ancient Chinese Wisdom

I remember watching Kung Fu (1972-1975) on network television when I was around 10 years old. While the Western style (as in Clint Eastwood type of western) stories were fairly dull to me, I was drawn in by the Chinese wisdom, Shaolin temple scenes, and Caine's ability to be humble and submissive before kicking the crap out of some ignorant cowboy.

Seeing Kung Fu DVD sets at my local Borders Books & Music, I thought that now, 30 or so years older and wiser, I would get something more out of the show than I did as a child. To answer this question, however, requires further reflection.

Kwai Chang Caine would probably say something like that.

The Chinese characters for Kung Fu literally mean something like "skill acquired through application of time and effort." We more commonly use the term Kung Fu to refer to the Chinese martial (fighting) arts that combine aspects of judo and karate.

The television show Kung Fu, starring David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine, introduced the Shaolin style of Kung Fu to the USA for the first time on a large scale (prime time television). Contrary to its appearance, however, Shaolin Kung Fu is a philosophy and way of life more than it is a style of movements useful in physical combat.

Additionally, a real Shaolin monastery still exists in China (Carradine visits this monastery in a DVD bonus feature on the Season 3 DVD set.) Shaolin philosophy is a combination of Taoism and Buddhism.

The story of Kung Fu begins in mid-19th century China. Young Caine (portrayed by Radames Pera), an orphan, is accepted as a student in a Shaolin monastery/temple when he is 10 or 12 years of age. One of the Shaolin priests, Master Kan (Philip Ahn) invites Caine to "snatch the pebble from my hand." Caine is not fast enough. "When you can snatch the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave."

Thus begins Caine's life in the monastery. He is primarily schooled by Master Kan and the blind Master Po (Keye Luke). After what I would guess is about 10 years, he is able to snatch the pebble from Master Kan, and Caine leaves the temple as a Shaolin priest.

Several years later, Caine runs into Master Po at a festival of some sort. Master Po had told Caine, years ago, that attending this festival was his life's ambition. Caine appears to have come to the festival hoping to see Master Po, who was like a father to him. However, their meeting on the road is interrupted by the Emperor's nephew, telling old Master Po to get out of his way. Po is killed by the royal nephew; and in a blind rage, briefly forgetting his many years of education in the monastery, Caine murders the royal nephew.

These events take place during the pilot episode; and explain what Caine is doing in America. The dying Master Po gives Caine a leather pouch, and says "If I had a son, all I could offer him is contained in this pouch." Po tells Caine he must leave the country with his final dying breaths.

Thus begins the story of the TV series: Kwai Chang Caine, Shaolin priest, wanted for murder in China; on the run in Civil War era America.

The point of the series, however, is not the "story of Kwai Chang Caine." These are morality plays. Allegories. Each episode attempts to teach the viewer a valuable lesson involving concepts such as honesty, friendship, loyalty, kindness, love, and integrity. It may come as a surprise that the ancient Chinese shared what are commonly thought of as Christian values.

And this is also one of the "stealth aspects" of the show. Placing Caine in the "wild west", when racial discrimination was hugely popular and acceptable, creates a greater contrast than having him in a modern American city. Characters in Kung Fu are often taken aback by the wisdom and kindness of the "heathen slanteye Chinee" Caine. This forces the viewer to take a harder look at modern society and see how much of that attitude still exists.

This is a great series to watch if you're interested in learning an alternative philosophy. A real life Shaolin Master named Kam Yuen was on the Kung Fu staff as "technical advisor"; so while the story in each episode is fictitious, the Shaolin wisdom being taught is real. The 40 or so writers who wrote the Kung Fu episodes were instructed not to write any of the temple sequences, which were frequently used as flashbacks in each episode. These temple sequences explain a lot of the underlying Shaolin principles and I imagine were mostly written by Kam Yuen. The adult Caine, upon encountering a problem or difficult situation, would remember a childhood conversation in the Shaolin temple with Master Po or Master Kan which would help him overcome the obstacle.

Now to have my own flashback: one of the main appeals of Kung Fu to my 10-year-old self was the way Caine would act all humble and meek, then kick somebody's @ss.

And I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit, that aspect of the show still appeals to me. Seeing the underdog overcome what appears to be impossible odds. But now, 30 years later, I understand the philosophy behind that behavior.

Shaolin Kung Fu is not simply self-defense or a fighting art. It is a refusal to be attacked.

As Master Po states in one of the temple sequences: first you try to avoid an attack. If you cannot avoid it, deflect it. If you cannot deflect it, then block it. (Not the exact words, but close.)

Shaolin philosophy started from Buddhism in approximately 540 A.D. It later adapted Taoist principles to become a new sect (source: www.shaolin.com)

Caine demonstrates Shaolin philosophy in every episode. His typical response to an offer of money is "I have no need for wealth." He responds to hatred with kindness. His honesty is impeccable. His manner is quiet and respectful. The character of Caine becomes a role model we can all use to improve ourselves.

An interesting question to consider is, what would life be like on earth if everyone was like Caine? (Or like Jesus, as they are very similar.) A more difficult question to ask, is, at what point in time will humanity evolve to that level? Or will we ever do so? Let's not forget that Caine is a murderer. What are the implications? Are all good people capable of doing evil?

If you're the type of person who spends a lot of time thinking about philosophical, psychological, and sociological questions, this series will appeal to you.

The framework of the episodes can be very cliche and sometimes silly. For example, in one episode, Caine is digging a well with another guy. They strike water and the well begins to fill with water. Caine and the other guy act like they're going to die if they can't find a way to get out of the well immediately. Does Caine not float? Yeah, the writers messed up on that one. People float in water.

In another episode (co-starring a young Jodie Foster) a young girl sees Caine holding a pistol right after a stagecoach robbery and multiple murder. Caine didn't shoot anyone - one of the victims tossed him the gun after being shot by the real shooter. But the little girl says that he shot the victims. He doesn't deny it. He is sentenced to hang. Not until the noose is placed around his neck, does the girl come forward and say that he didn't do it.

It's a rather complicated and perplexing episode. Why do neither one of them tell the whole truth (the truth being, "she saw me holding the gun but she did NOT see me shoot anyone") before Caine is brought to the gallows? Is a willingness to die under false pretenses part of Shaolin wisdom? Caine often remains silent in situations where he could easily defend himself by speaking.

In conclusion, I give Kung Fu 5 stars for its philosophical aspect, but only 1 star for the quality of the old west style stories used as a framework to convey that philosophy. So the average is my rating, 3 stars.

Kung Fu season one has 20 episodes, each about 48 minutes long (there were less commercials in the early 70's) and if you like it, you can also buy season two and three, each also containing 20 episodes.

The DVDs are remastered in a widescreen format, and include two brief but interesting "extras" which provide further insights into the series:

"From Grasshopper to Caine: Creating Kung Fu" and
"The Tao of Kwai Chang Caine: Production and Beyond"