In this clip from the pilot episode, Caine (David Carradine) is discussing life with a fellow expatriate. Their discussion touches on the unity of opposites, which is symbolised in Taoism as the yin-yang. The yin-yang is the most important concept in Taoism.
Caine also compares the
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Tao with water in this conversation. Water is a great analogy for the Tao since all life depends on water, yet water always takes the lowest position. Water would rather take the easy path around a mountain, than to force it's way through. Nothing is softer than water, but given enough time water will wear down the hardest rock and cut the deepest ravines.
Curiously, this is one of the many times throughout the series where "Tao" is seemingly mispronounced. I'm not sure if this was done intentionally, so as not to confuse a Western audience. However, the 'T' in Tao is normally pronounced as a 'D'. Depending on the translation system used, it is also sometimes written as 'Dao'.
This video was taken from the 1970's TV series 'Kung Fu' (Created by Ed Spielman, Herman Miller and Jerry Thorpe). It is essentially an American Western set in the latter half of the 1800's, with an Eastern hero who has neither a gun or a horse. The story follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine); a nature loving Shaolin priest, who recently fled China. He speaks softly but is no pushover. He lives humbly yet knows great contentment.
Each episode also takes the viewer back to Caine's childhood in the Shaolin temple. It is here under the instruction of the wonderfully charismatic Master Po (Keye Luke) and the stern yet loving Master Kan (Philip Ahn), young Caine (Radames Pera) learns the harmoniously balanced ways of Tao.
The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu series. This makes Kung Fu one of the most authentic interpretations of Philosophical Taoism available in popular culture. I was therefore surprised to see no one else had presented selected scenes from Kung Fu as an introduction to the Taoist philosophy. This is one of about 30 clips I'll be posting here during 2008.
To learn more about Philosophical Taoism and yin-yang, please visit my website:
http://www.yinyangnature.com
To learn more about "Kung Fu" and Tao, check out the interview I did on the "I am Caine" blog:
http://kwaichangcaine.blogspot.com/2008/04/yin-yang-nature-interview.html
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