Tri Thong Dang (1928–1995)

from cover

'Beyond The Known explores the sublety and depth of oriental philosophy through beautifully woven anecdotes about a martial-arts master and his disciples. Anyone, martial artist or not, will be captivated by the beauty, greace, and universal truths contained in the narrative.'-Stanley Pranin, Aiki News

Beyond the Known is about the marital-arts quest, and a meditation on the art of discipleship. In a series of parables relating the experiences of an unusually talented but otherwise typical martial artist, it calls for teachers and practitioners of all martial arts to question their motives and goals, to go beyond the superficial dazzle of prizes and awards, beyond repetition of techiques, ultimately, to go beyond the known-the ultimate goal of the martial arts.

Tri Thong Dang was born in Vietnam and studied under the revered Chiu Chuk-Kai, eighth-generation grandmaster of the Chinese t'ai mantis system. In addition, he was a practitioner of pa kua chang, hsing-i ch'uan, qigong, and Yang style t'ai chi ch'uan. He has sudied and taught martial arts worldwide. Dang is also the author of Toward the Unknown and Beginning T'ai Chi, both from Tuttle, and was the founder and director, until his death, of Califorinia's Budo Educational Center.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1: The False Path
2: A Meeting of Minds
3: Beyond the Bounds of Intellect
4: A Union of Hearts
5: The Vitality of the Inexpressible
6: The Irrelevance of the Insturment of Combat
7: A Transformation
8: The Path of Duty
9: Weaving the Web of Karma
10: The Web Is Broken
11: The First Lesson
12: Lam Has Another Lesson
13: On the Pursuit of Creativity
14: And Yet Another Lesson
15: A Master Is Born
Epigraph References… (mais)

Easy to read and follow, Beginning T'ai Chi will give you the power to enrich your life both physically and spiritually. You'll be amazed at how this simplified method of a martial art form that is more than 800 years old can augment your sense of well-being, bring you inner peace and strength, and revitalize your energies.

Practiced by millions, T'ai Chi is among the most rapidly growing martial arts today. It teaches you how to relax, cope, and get in touch with yoour inner self. In this useful book for newcomers to the martial art, Tri Thong Dang has successfully trimmed traditional t'ai chi's more than 80 movements which ordinarily demand years of practice-to a succinct 24 movement forms which can be easily mastered. Accompanying each of these forms are clearly drawn, step-by-step illustrations that make it impossible to misinterpret the text. Beginning T'ai Chi will guide you toward recaliming and recharging your life.

Contents

Acknowledgments
An introduction to the world of t'ai chi
Why t'ai chi?
A glimpse into the history of t'ai chi
Why this form for the beginner?
The basic movements
About learning from a book
The simplified t'ai chi form
Form One: Commencing
Form Two: Part the horse's mane (both sides)
Form Three: White crane spreads its wings
Form Four: Brush knee (both sides)
Form Five: Hands strum the lute
Form Six: Step back and roll arms (both sides)
Form Seven: Grasp the bird's tail (left side)
Form Eight: Grasp the bird's tail (right side)
Form Nine: Single whip
Form Ten: Wave hands like clouds (left side)
Form Eleven: Single whip
Form Twelve: High pat the horse
Form Thirteen: Kick with the right heel
Form Fourteen: Strike the opponent's ears with both fists
Form Fifteen: Turn and kick with the left heel
Form Sixteen: Push down and stand on one leg (left side)
Form Seventeen: Push down and stand on one leg (right side)
Form Eighteen: Work at shuttles (both sides)
Form Nineteen: Needle at the bottom of the sea
Form Twenty: Flash arm
Form Twenty-one: Turn and deflect downward, parry, and punch
Form Twenty-two: Apparent close
Form Twenty-three: Cross hands
Form Twenty-four: Closing form
Conclusion… (mais)

Toward the Unkonwn is a series of parables aboiut the martial-arts quest, and a meditation on the art of discipleship. A careful reading of the text will lead teachers and practitioners of all martial arts to examine their motives, to go beyond superficial prizes and awards, to rise above a focus on fighting technique, and ultimately to transcend the known.

The stories included here chronicle the exploits of Master Lam, the greatest fighter and teacher of his time. Lam, following the example of his late master, Tai-Ahn, seeks to create an environment in which the sutdent might be both challenged physically and enlightened spiritually. He teaches by example, following classical methodology, which focuses on moral, ethical, and spiritual growth in addition to technical competence. As the exciting and spiritually uiplifting sequel to Beyond the Known, this book, through philosophy and fiction, leads the reader toward the unknown.

Master Tri Thong Dang was born in Vietnam and studied under the revered Chiu Chuk-Kai, eighth-generation grandmaster of the Chinese t'ai-mantis system. In addition, he was also a practitioner of pa kua chang, hising-i chuan, chi kung, and Yang style tai chi chiuan. Dang is the author of the best-seling Beyond the Known and Beginning Tai Chi (both puiblished by Tuttle), and was the founder and director of Califorinia's Budo Educational Center until his death.

Contents

Ackknowledgments
1 From unbeatable to vanquished
2 Usefulness and uselessness
3 Technique versus mind
4 A way to the unknown
5 The light of dusk and the light of dawn
6 The 'unresolvable' problem
7 The Do in martial arts
8 Self-improvement and conversion
9 That's it: Nothing!
10 Bird in a cage, fish in an aquarium
11 Hurling oneself at the portals of death
12 Who is to be blamed?
13 The last homiliy of Master Lamb
14 Farewell and a new beginning… (mais)

More than a martial art, T'ai Chi is also a holistic method of self-healing, a form of moving meditation, and a philsophical way of life. Health, relaxation, and self-defense are but a few of the many reasons cited for practicing this traditional exercise, which was created by a Taoist sage eight centuries ago. Now a recreational activity practiced by millions of people worldwide, T'ai Chi, wth its physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits widely recognized and praised, is the fastest-growing martial art in the world today.

In this handy guide, Master Tri Thong Dang, who has been an instructor of the Chen, Yang, Zhao, and T'ai-Mantis systems of T'ai Chi Ch'uan for over three decades, describes the 'Simpllified T'ai Chi' form, a set of movements specifically designed for beginners by China's Ministry of Physical Culture and spirits. Master Tri's concise but lucid descriptions highlight the spiritual essence of the form and at the same time display its graceful simplicity. With over 160 clear, easy-to-understand illustrations, this excellent volume is the ultimate introduction to the world of T'ai Chi.

Tri Thong Dang was born in Vietnam and studied under the reverend Grand Master Chiu Chuk-Kai, eighth-generation master of the Chinese T'ai-Mantis system. Master Tri also teaches Pa-kua Chang, Hising-i Ch'uaun, and Ch'i Kung. He is the author of the bestseling novel Beyond the Known (also published by Charles E. Tuttle), has an MA in physical education from California State University, and is the founder and director of the Budo Educational Center, Sacramento, California.

Contents

Acknowledgments
An introduction to the world of t'ai chi
Why t'ai chi?
A glimpse into the history of t'ai chi
Why this form for the beginner?
The basic movements
About learning from a book
The simplified t'ai chi form
Form One: Commencing
Form Two: Part the horse's mane (both sides)
Form Three: White crane spreads its wings
Form Four: Brush knee (both sides)
Form Five: Hands strum the lute
Form Six: Step back and roll arms (both sides)
Form Seven: Grasp the bird's tail (left side)
Form Eight: Grasp the bird's tail (right side)
Form Nine: Single whip
Form Ten: Wave hands like clouds (left side)
Form Eleven: Single whip
Form Twelve: High pat the horse
Form Thirteen: Kick with the right heel
Form Fourteen: Strike the opponent's ears with both fists
Form Fifteen: Turn and kick with the left heel
Form Sixteen: Push down and stand on one leg (left side)
Form Seventeen: Push down and stand on one leg (right side)
Form Eighteen: Work at shuttles (both sides)
Form Nineteen: Needle at the bottom of the sea
Form Twenty: Flash arm
Form Twenty-one: Turn and deflect downward, parry, and punch
Form Twenty-two: Apparent close
Form Twenty-three: Cross hands
Form Twenty-four: Closing form
Conclusion… (mais)