Wudang Mountain, a Taoist holy land standing in the northwest of Hubei Province, has been a holy land where martial arts and Taoist culture blend since ancient times. As one of the birthplaces of Taoism, Wudang Mountain has been the center of Taoist activities since the Tang Dynasty.Wudang martial arts and Shaolin Kung Fu are equally famous, with Neijia Quan as the core, integrating the concepts of yin and yang harmony and dynamic stillness from Taoist philosophy, forming a unique system of martial arts and health preservation.

Among them, the Wudang Sanfeng School was founded by Zhang Sanfeng during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, and its martial arts ideology emphasizesBy incorporating the principles of inner alchemy and cultivation into martial arts, the style of combining rigidity and flexibility, and using the principle of valuing softness and valuing intention, is formed. Tai Chi, created by Zhang Sanfeng, not only has the effect of enhancing physical fitness and prolonging life, but also carries the cultural mission of self-defense, resistance to violence, and uplifting national spirit. After hundreds of years of inheritance, it has become a global cultural heritage that spans regions and cultures.

The inheritance lineage of Wudang Sanfeng Sect is clear, with sixteen generations passed down from Zhang Sanfeng and disciples spread all over the world. From the first generation descendant Qiu Xuanqing to the 14th generation Taoist Zhong Yunlong, and now to the younger generation of Zizi descendants, the Sanfeng Sect has always adhered to the principles ofThe purpose of "using techniques to convey knowledge and martial arts to perform the Tao" breaks the old rule of "the Tao does not hear the six ears" and reveals the secret martial arts of Wudang's internal martial arts to the public.

Nowadays, Wudang Tai Chi, as the core inheritance of the Sanfeng Sect, has spread globallyMore than 150 countries have taken root, with over 500 million practitioners. Every year, tens of thousands of overseas students set foot on Wudang Mountain and experience the profound Taoist culture among the misty mountain gates. This kind of dissemination is not limited to martial arts techniques, but also conveys the wisdom of harmonious coexistence in Chinese culture to the world through philosophical concepts such as "harmony between heaven and man" and "goodness is like water".

In the context of the new era, the inheritance and development of Wudang Tai Chi are flourishing with new vitality. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the symposium on literary and artistic work that we shouldTo inherit and promote excellent traditional Chinese culture in accordance with the new era conditions. Under this call, Wudang Taiji has established an integrated online and offline teaching system through innovative models such as digital dissemination and industry university research cooperation. More than 20000 notes and 140 million Tiktok broadcasts on the Little Red Book witnessed the young people's love of Wudang Tai Chi.Wudang Tai Chi has surpassed simple fitness techniques and become a cultural link connecting tradition and modernity, China and the worldThe wave of "National Tai Chi" is sweeping across the world, allowing Taoist wisdom to shine with new light in the new era.

In this issue of 'Ningdian Interview', we have invitedFifteen generations of inheritors of Wudang Sanfeng Sect，Champion of the World Traditional Martial Arts Championships, Champion of the Asian Traditional Martial Arts Championships,Hewutang Martial Arts AcademyFounder Zhang Shiyong, let's experience the martial arts culture of Wudang up close together.

What was the origin of your interest in martial arts when you went up the mountain to learn martial arts from a young age? What impressed you deeply during your martial arts studies?

Zhang Shiyong:I have been influenced by Jet Li's starring role in "Shaolin Temple" and the Wong Fei hung series of martial arts films since childhood, and have developed a strong interest in martial arts. My father saw my obsession and suggested that I learn from a master. Coincidentally, the new martial arts master Zhong Yunlong from Hubei Province was recruiting disciples in the area, and my fellow martial arts brothers and I had the opportunity to go to Wudang Mountain to learn martial arts.

The years in the mountains were harsh and harsh, and military management was implemented. At 4:50 am every day, the loud wake-up whistle breaks the silence and requires all disciples to complete the formation within one minute. When I first arrived, I was extremely uncomfortable with this kind of routine. I often slept in my clothes all night, afraid of missing morning classes. On the other hand, senior disciples have already developed a biological clock and naturally wake up around 4:30.

The training intensity is more unbearable for most people. The daily training duration exceeds nine hours, with morning classes lasting from 5:00 to 7:40. The first subject is 10 kilometers of mountain road cross-country. The winding and rugged mountain roads are a great test of physical strength, and subsequent martial arts training requires full concentration.

On the day I first arrived at WudangImpressed me deeplyThe attire of my senior brother is still fresh in my memory. He was dressed in a plain white Taoist robe, with a graceful and ethereal figure, clearly embodying the essence of Wudang martial arts. He led us up the winding mountain road and took nearly two hours to reach the Taoist temple. Coincidentally, the senior brothers were practicing at the mountain gate, but they saw that amidst the misty clouds, the white clothed Taoists were either practicing martial arts or breathing, their clothes fluttering with gusts of wind, as if a scene from a martial arts painting had reappeared. This scene perfectly overlaps with my childhood memories of Wudang from watching movies, adding a touch of awe to my reverence for the holy land of martial arts.

Later on, youI went to Singapore in my twentiesPromote Taoist culture and martial arts，Are you currently dedicated to promoting Taoist culture and martial arts, and have you been influenced by this experience?

Zhang Shiyong:When I first entered Wudang Mountain, the disciples there rarely participated in international exchanges. At that time, Wudang martial arts had not yet been promoted to the outside world, following the tradition of Taoism of tranquility, inaction, and self-restraint. This is in stark contrast to the global exhibition path of Shaolin martial arts that began in the 1980s, untilIn 2004, our group of disciples began to be invited to perform overseas, gradually pushing Wudang martial arts to the world stage. I remember when I went to Singapore with the group in 2006, the local people highly praised the health value of Wudang martial arts. Li Guangfu, the then president of the Chinese Taoist Association, had the idea of sending disciples there. In 2008, another fellow disciple and I were officially sent to Singapore to continue the Wudang culture overseas.

After ten years of studying at Wudang Mountain, I have already integrated the spirit of martial arts into my bloodline. Even if I am not dispatched overseas, I would choose to stay at the Taoist temple to continue my studies, or go to other cities to open and teach. This commitment not only stems from a deep love for martial arts, but also carries the mission of inheriting Wudang martial arts. As the master said, the true inheritance of martial arts must return to the mountains and forests.

The current martial arts inheritance system can be roughly divided into two categories: one is the local professional inheritance system of Wudang Mountain. Although various Taoist temples have not formed a scale of tens of thousands of people like Shaolin Temple, they always maintain a group of about a hundred experts. Through oral transmission and heart to heart instruction from masters and disciples, they ensure the systematic inheritance of Wudang martial arts such as boxing and Tai Chi. The second is the path of popularization among the general public in cities. Urban martial arts schools like ours are mainly aimed at adult students. Although they can spread martial arts culture, their technical expertise and depth are ultimately limited.

We still plan to return to Wudang Mountain in the next three years and have already selected a location in the mountain to begin planning. Only by taking root in the land of Daoist cultivation can we achieve the complete inheritance of Wudang martial arts from techniques to spirit.

You have also entered the short video industry nowareaI have looked at some of youThe worksIn fact, many moves were explained to himMany other creators are different，What is the basis for your thinking and adoption of this form of communication？

Zhang Shiyong:I used to hold a conservative attitude towards the dissemination of martial arts culture through short videos, until I was inspired by my peers in Shenzhen last October and witnessed their rapid expansion of influence through short video platforms, which led me to start laying out online dissemination. As inheritors of Wudang martial arts, we not only adhere toThe traditional practice of "using martial arts to prove the Tao" also conforms to the dissemination rules of the self media era, attempting to present the essence of martial arts and Taoist health wisdom through short videos.

In terms of online communication, we have built a standardized curriculum system based on more than 20 years of teaching experience and launchedOnline projects such as "Ten Thousand People Learning Daoist Eight Section Brocade" have attracted more than 4000 students to participate in two months. The course content focuses on the disassembly of Wudang martial arts techniques and the explanation of their health benefits, retaining the essence of traditional martial arts while adapting to fragmented learning needs. It is worth noting that there are many online students who hope to deeply experience Wudang culture. They may plan to go to Wudang Mountain for training or participate in offline courses at the city branch, forming a virtuous cycle of "online guidance and offline cultivation".

In terms of communication philosophy, we differ from the purely academic theoretical interpretation and emphasize more on itExperiential dissemination of 'practical verification'. Taking overseas teaching as an example, we taught over two thousand students in the United States in one month and accumulated nearly ten thousand members in Singapore over five years. We always take our own cultivation and insights as the starting point, demonstrating the physical and mental changes brought by internal strength and mind techniques, allowing overseas students to intuitively experience the charm of Taoist culture. This dissemination method not only conveys martial arts techniques, but also stimulates the public's interest in Taoist philosophy and health wisdom, forming a unique path for cultural output.

Now, many people around me have started practicing the Eight dan Brocade,I thinkIn modern societytaoist cultureMartial arts are increasingly being accepted by young people，How do you view the revival of traditional culture?

Zhang Shiyong:Taoist cultureThe core of 'dual cultivation of life and soul' is to cultivate both the inner mind and physical fitness, pursuing the ultimate state of longevity and long-term vision. This characteristic of emphasizing both spiritual cultivation and practical skills resonates wonderfully with the pressure of modern society - the Taoist emphasis on "carefree and free spirited" is not about escaping reality, but rather providing a set of physical and mental adjustment plans, especially after the epidemic, which has aroused widespread resonance among young people.

Observing the changes in the structure of the students reveals clues: in the past, the health preservation groupThe main trend is in the post-60s and post-50s, often seeking treatment only after experiencing physical conditions; Nowadays, the post-90s and post-00s have become the main force, and they pay more attention to preventive health management. This transformation reflects the deep demand of contemporary people for quality of life: in fast-paced life, young people urgently need practical exercises that can not only alleviate shoulder, neck, and lumbar problems, but also regulate qi and blood. The popularity of Daoist Eight Section Brocade is a precise response - this set of martial arts originated from Daoist Wang Taike of Wudang Mountain. The movements are simple but the effects are significant. It is suitable for the "bowing head tribe" to relieve workplace diseases, and can also help the weak to gently regulate, truly achieving the "balance of movement and stillness" health wisdom.

The changes in cultural identity are also worth paying attention to.When I was studying martial artsGuqin and martial arts are regarded asOld antiques ", young people tend to prefer imported items such as guitars and taekwondo. Nowadays, with the increase of national confidence, the acceptance of traditional culture by post-2000s far exceeds that of their predecessors. This transformation stems not only from the cultural consciousness brought about by the strengthening of national strength, but also from the modern adaptability of Taoist thought itself: it does not advocate blind struggle or age anxiety, but advocates the philosophy of "retiring after achieving success" - giving one's all when striving, and following nature when recuperating. This wisdom of "doing nothing without doing anything" provides a spiritual outlet for modern people under high pressure.

Compared to ConfucianismThe normative color of "self-restraint and restoration of propriety" is emphasized by Taoism, which places greater emphasis on self adjustment. It does not mandate a life path, but teaches people to strike a balance at different stages: in youth, one can strive for progress, but must pay attention to health preservation to strengthen the foundation and cultivate the essence; In old age, one should be indifferent to fame and fortune, and return to physical and mental cultivation. This flexible wisdom allows Taoist culture to transcend time and space boundaries, becoming a guide to life that spans generations. When young people see Wudang inheritors demonstrating the Eight Section Brocade on short video platforms, they not only see the techniques, but also a practical philosophy of life - which may be the key to the revitalization of traditional culture in contemporary times.