Bruce Lee > Basics of Buddhism


Jan 28, 2023

Part of Jeet Kune Do

Bruce Lee plays a Shaolin monk in Enter the Dragon, the role denied him in the tv show Kung Fu. Here is an excerpt from Enter the Dragon where a Shaolin (buddhist) sifu instructs Lee. Keep in mind this was deleted in the original 1973 version.

Enter the Dragon Sifu and Bruce Lee

Sifu (instructor): . . . What is the highest technique you hope to achieve ?

Lee: To have no technique.

Sifu: Very good. What are your thoughts when facing an opponent ?

Lee: There is no opponent.
Sifu: And why is that ?
Lee: Because the word “I” does not exist.
Sifu: So, continue…
Lee: A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself.
Sifu: Now, you must remember: the enemy has only images and illusions behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.

–Special Edition (2004)  

Buddhism rejects the concept of the soul and god. This being the key doctrinal basis, Buddhism is rather unique among the popular world religions. Interestingly, Buddhism does not reject the idea of being both Buddhist and another religion at that same time as Christianity, which has different ideas. Why? That is why one can be a Taoist, a Confucianist and a Buddhist at the same time.

There is no Atman: no eternal self as found in Hinduism. Buddha rejected this.

shaolin kid

The Buddhist Laws of Existence

  • Annica: Impermanence
  • Dukka: Suffering or Decay
  • Annata: Non-self

Religious Symbolism of Impermanence

  • Flames of the Candle
  • Tone of the Bells
  • Smoke

Rebirth and Regeneration

incense

A belief in an existence where one is reborn again and again.

  • Nirvana. Liberation from the self, from the world or wheel of samsara, desire. Instead of nothingness, think of everythingness.
  • Karma. We are responsible for our actions (Karma). Attached to our desires, we are reborn, recreating our selves.
  • Dependent Origination. All things are connected.

 Suffering is caused by the belief that there is a being in pain. There is no being. Thus, there is no one that suffers. Liberate from the chain of illusions, from the wheel of death and rebirth.

The Four Noble Truths

Buddha in meditation

 1. Truth of Suffering (Dukka)

2. Truth of Origin of Suffering (Samudaya, Cravings)

3. Truth of End to Suffering or desire (Nirodha)

4. Truth extinction of suffering,

The Eightfold Path

1. Right Understanding

2. Right Intention

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

Buddhism is more about ethics, philosophy and psychology.

–Doc Nirvana

AKA Dr. Wayne Stein