Spirit of Shaolin: A Kung Fu Philosophy

by David Carradine

A well-known martial arts expert describes the philosophy behind Kung Fu, discussing the ancient wisdom of the Chinese masters, the principles of Shaolin thought, and the inner meaning of martial arts. Reprint.

Genres: Martial Arts, Philosophy

198 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 1905

About the author

John Arthur "David" Carradine was an American actor best known for his work in the 1970s television series Kung Fu and more recently in the Kill Bill films. He appeared in more than 100 feature films and was nominated four times for a Golden Globe Award.

Reviews

[Susan Budd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The television series Kung Fu aired from 1972 to 1975. I didn’t watch it at the time. Which is probably good. I think I was too young to have appreciated it. Instead, I started watching it in syndication in 1979 because I was dating a boy who was into martial arts. Yes, he had nunchucks. And yes, he took me to Bruce Lee movies.

At first I was just being a good sport. I didn’t much care for Bruce Lee movies and I didn’t get excited over my boyfriend’s collection of throwing stars. But Kung Fu was a different story. It appealed to me right from the first episode. I came to look forward to our weekly viewing of the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine.

In The Spirit of Shaolin, David Carradine neatly sums up the reason why I loved Kung Fu despite having little interest in the martial arts.

“Bruce was the yang, we were the yin. Bruce was fire and machismo, we were peace and humility”(36).

Peace. Kwai Chang Caine walking barefoot through the desert. A flute slung over his shoulder. An innocent, walking through a cruel and perilous world, protected by his innocence and goodness as much as by his mastery of kung fu.

He spoke little, and when he did, his words were honest and humble. He never got angry. He never needed to prove himself. In a world of competition and corruption, he was the man of harmony, the man of simplicity, the man of Tao.

When David Carradine died in 2009, I wondered if the manner of his death would affect my feelings about Caine. How could the man who portrayed Caine, who had given a part of himself to the character I loved, do what he did? But I didn’t wonder for long. We all have our demons. I have mine. Carradine had his. My love for Caine and my respect for the actor who portrayed him are unaffected by the circumstances of his death.

We’re all just trying to get back to the garden. One way or another.

Rest in peace David Carradine. You’ll always be Kwai Chang Caine to me.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book slightly misleading from the title but should have known considering books like this are a dime a dozen. This book starts off basically giving a low-down of Carradine's start with the Kung-Fu movies and TV series and then discusses some of his other films involving martial arts. From there it proceeds to give general lessons and personal musings on what kung fu is and encompasses. There are some historical mentionings like Bodidharma spreading the art to China from India, the significance of the Tao Te Ching, and a general history of Kung Fu. This book is by no means comprehensive and lacks that extra depth that is appealing for novices wanting to learn more about the art. I found the book to contain profound truth on many subjects but never really felt the message as most of it seemed like recycled cliches and stories you've heard a million times if you are familiar with the Eastern arts. One particular gripe I had about the book involves lack of accuracy. On page 92 Carradine writes, "The limitation of karate stems, at least in part, from its association with Japanese-style Buddhism, which ignores or forgets the Chinese Taoist principles and replaces them with specific, and generally radical, ideas peculiar to the Japanese culture, i.e. Zen. Much could be said about the subject of Zen, but we are interested here in kung fu, so best look elsewhere for that." This is simply not true. There is a large body of work out there related to and examining Zen Buddhism. In this work you'll find that it's common knowledge that Zen is a combination of Chinese Buddhism and Taoist principles. Thus the word in Chinese for the Japanese Zen is Chan. Furthermore, Japanese karate is not necessarily limiting. It's just an evolved development of the spread of martial arts from the mainland to an island. The same philosophical lessons and achievements to be gained in kung fu can also be gained in Japanese karate with the proper attitude and focus. Anyway, this book reads pretty quick and if you are interested in some light-philosophical reading that you shouldn't take too seriously you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, delve into the fascinating martial arts by reading other material.

[Riccardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Carradine is a some sort of hybrid of Chuck Norris and Lao -Tze on crack. Much like the plot of any 80's DeLaurentis adventure movie, the book makes no sense, but is still inexplicably entertaining. It is evident early on in the book that David has taken one too many magic mushroom trips, which you the reader has not been invited too. The book is mostly non-sensical, and yet I could not put it down. Best enjoyed with hemp wine (yes, it does exist), and anything that requires chopsticks to eat.

[Michael Duane Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to reconcile (1) the image of a man of virtue whose guidance even from afar had such a positive influence on so many viewers, with (2) the actor with a serious fetishism which may have led to his untimely end. What one has to do I suppose is recall the positive work he left behind, such as this volume, and forgive his quirks. RIP David Carradine, we'll miss you always.

[Jacob Lehman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weak. The first 40% of the book is just narrative of David's movie work. The whole thing purports to be philosophical, but cries out for some humility- vanquishing the ego is clearly not a part of Mr. Carradine's martial training aims. He says multiple times "I am/was a natural," including supposedly instantly performing a Crane style better than his instructor. He trashes Bruce Lee, calls Chuck Norris' karate "limited" and alludes to street fights in Argentina, despite attempting to claim deep wisdom and inner peace. He also seems to have bought martial arts mythology at near face-value, referring to the legends (disproven) of Bodhidarma, describing forms as "thousands of years old" (for which more serious scholars have found little to no evidence prior to the 15th century, see A History of Chinese Martial Arts) and mischaracterizes a number of martial arts in the Appendix (and misspells their names, e.g., Tai kwondo, Akido [sic]). To top it all off, he then equates style with mental attitude, and says that long, expansive movements, lead to a more open-minded spirit...

It's too bad. I was hoping for a genuinely self-reflective book on what it means to be the popular face of a physical art/philosophy while being a novice at it, the actor's responsibility to respect and honor his characters, and maybe a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip, not Mr. Carradine's ego trip.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to read about David Carradine's pre-Kung Fu career. He observed that it was almost as if he was destined by play the part of Kwai Chang Caine, given his prior training in the military, dance, and theater. As for reader expectations, this book is not a literary masterpiece, nor was it likely so intended. Instead, in many parts, it is written in a conversational tone that may have benefited from some more thorough editing in the final draft, but as David Carradine might have said, "... it is what it is."

I was also pleased to learn that David Carradine did have some significant creative input to the Kung Fu series, and that he did include a symbolic tribute in the series to mark the passing of Bruce Lee. There are many other very interesting anecdotes, especially in the first part of the book. At some point, I would like to read it again.

The author also included a Bibliography of the "smallest sampling of realted reading and viewing material" which I thought was interesting. It's kind of a list of his most important books. A good read overall.

[Marell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwai Chang Caine, changed my life. As a boomer looking for "enlightenment" haha...the character, much like Carradine's other Caine in Circle of Iron...walked into my life and I walked into Buddhism, some martial arts, and a whole new way of looking at my life. It's been 30+ years, and if anyone asks me I still have to say...Kwai Chang Caine changed my life.

Now to the book. I liked it a lot. I have read it many times, if it was on kindle, I'd read it some more. I know Carradine was flawed, I never once thought he was Caine. I did however love the bits and pieces of philosophy he stuck in the book. His 12 lessons are old, far older than him or the book, but they made sense 1000 years ago and they still make sense today. I think the Spirit of Shaolin is just his way of showing us who he was, why he was and how he got that way. I think he too was searching and I hope when he left this world, he had found what it was he was looking for.

[Roderic Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seemed to be somewhat confused as to what direction he wanted to take this book in the first several chapters, which strayed from the intended purpose as defined at the outset, which, at the order of his sensei, was to educate the reader on the deepest aspects of Kung Fu on a social, spiritual, mental, and least importantly, physical level. However, the book does find a quick and very impressive cohesivness, and is so intelligently and profoundly written that one would suggest a possible Ghost writer. To Carradine's credit, this book is his work. One can only be puzzled by what could have possibly derailed the brilliance and focused spirituality of the man towards during the following years until his death, but it is forever indelibly recorded in this book, and well worth studying.

[Cathryn Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book---i have been somewhat fascinated by his book because I have seen the Kung Fu the Legend continues tv series in late 1990's as Caine. There are many chapters to explore in ti chi?? Kung fu type not quite familiar with those. The chapters are history philosophy the wisdom he learned or tai chi etc.
Some of his thoughts on what Kung fu or being Caine has taught David many lessons over the years is interesting :one quote comes to mind is Patience grasshopper or another is: I seek not to know the answers but to understand the questions.
His journey is interesting how got the role of Caine and wisdom over the years- I would have like to find out more unfortaly he passed away so he lives in sprit for those who wishes to learn Kung Fu :-)

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I have always loved the Kung Fu TV show so when I saw this book it caught my eye. It was an easy to follow book with lots of insight into Carradine's thinking and life. If you are into Martial Arts, liked the Kung Fu TV show or just want to read a biography of an actor, this may be the book for you.

[Fangirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the biographical aspect of this book, being a big fan of the original Kung Fu tv-series and it's follow-up The Legend Continues.
It also provided me with an insight into the philosophy of the Shaolin.

[Mark Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were a fan of the TV series, "Kung Fu", you'll love this book!

[Arthur Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to eastern culture and philosophy.