What is Zhang Mén Tao?

"A Zhang Mén Tao Gong Fu adept learns to adapt to the applied laws of the universe.  One must learn to move slower in order to move faster... strike softer in order to strike harder.  Follow the path of least resistance and bury the anger in one's heart.  This is the Way...this is the Truth." -A Zhang Mén Tao Saying

The Zhang Family Gate Way/Method (Zhang Mén Tao) arts formulated over 400 years in the tradition of the Zhang family of Chengdu, located near Mt. Emei in Sichuan Province.  Our direct lineal line comes from Zhang Family Elder: Zhang, 'Pui' Yang and his brother Zhang, Liming.  The family art of Zhang Mé Tao started with the gongfu of Emeishan and Xingyiquan.  It was eventually blended with Cheng Style Bagua Zhang and Shuaijiao by his father Zhang, Fu Xi.  Shitaigung (Great-grandfather/teacher) Zhang, Fu Xi studied in the 1890's with Shijo (Teacher of Shitaigung) Cheng Tinghua during his 3 year apprenticeship in Peiking/Beijing.  Elder Zhang, "Pui' Yang (Zhang, Fu Tuo) was born in 1923 at the height of the civil turmoil in China.  From the age of 7, Zhang Shi'fu was taught his family system along side his brothers, sisters, and extended family.  In his day, only the direct family members could learn the 'inner door' teachings of the Zhang Family Gate Way.  Elder Zhang, 'Pui' Yang and his brothers also studied Emei Quan and the Heibei Style (Baoding Style) of Shuaijiao with their maternal uncle, Shi'fu Yang, Shi Wan.  This strong gongfu foundation was pivotal in making Zhang Mé Tao into its modern day form, practiced by Zhang family members worldwide.

The Foundational Principles of Zhang Mén Tao

Zhang Mén Tao is to be considered an internal gong fu that follows eight principles:

Any complete gongfu has: Hand strikes or Da, Leg work or Ti Na Fa (foot and leg strikes/trapping), Controlling methods of joint/body locking, trapping/seizing extremities, and escaping (Qin Na), and Grappling/groundwork (Shuai Chiao). There must be also Internal training for the emotional 'mind' or heart (Xin), the spirit (Shen), the wisdom mind or brain (Hui), the breath (qigong) and inner strength (Neigong).  The three treasures of the human body must be constantly cultivated.  These are known as: Jing (Essence), Qi (Vital Energy), & Shen (Spirit). The training method first focuses on the inherent strengths of the student.  Traditional gongfu eventually conforms to the adept's skill set.  The art's teachings should not force the student to adapt to it, thereby merely making the student into 'its' image.  The gongfu foundation, while hard to establish, is also just as hard to uproot once its roots are firmly planted. The Footwork or Bu fa of Zhang Mén Tao is based mostly upon Xing Yi Quan, with elements of Ba Gua Zhang, Tai Ji Quan, and Emei Quan (Omei).  Whenever possible the traditional Five Elemental fists and Eight Basic palms should be practiced alongside the Zhang Family Sets.  There are no higher teachings than that learned by consistently practicing Bu Fa or Shen Fa (body work). Shitaigung Zhang, Fu Xi teachings established that to learn Zhang Mén Tao a good student's motivation is universal inspiration and not revenge or anger.  An inner desire to learn and develop the mind and body.  Motivation drives open the 'door' to enlightenment and discipline pushes the student through that 'door'.  The Shi'fu can only show one the path to their own door and should do nothing to force them along the Shifu's Path.  This is unnatural.  There can be no defined external or worldly gain for the student.  The reward gained is that of inner peace, knowledge, skill, strength and wisdom. One must learn first to be 'still' before any movement (physically, mentally, or spiritually) can be successful.  The three dantians are to be cleansed and filled daily, only then can one be ready to learn the secrets found within oneself.  One must develop by learning to move slower to move faster, and hit softer in order to hit harder in all things... be they physical, mental, or spiritual. Zhang Mén Tao and the Zhang Mén Tao Gong Fu Association has as it's foundation a system of ethics known as the WuDe or loosely translated as "martial morality".  It comes from the root terms of "Wu" or martial, and "De" or morality.  The Zhang Family WuDe deals with "morality of deed" and "morality of mind".  Morality of deed focuses on our interactions with our fellow human beings.  Morality of mind is meant to establish harmony between the emotional mind (Xin) and the wisdom mind (Hui).  All traditional gongfu WuDe codes have the goal of reaching Wuji or "no extremity in action or mind".  A Zhang Mén Tao student of the Zhang Mén Tao Gong Fu Association strives to maintain actions, wisdom, and emotions in harmony with each other.  While this seems complicated, Zhang Shi'fu said the following: To follow the WuDe, a gongfu student needs only to: "Be a nice & kind human being.  Before you say or do anything, consider if it is kind, necessary, or true.  Respect and heal even your enemies.  Honor your elders.  All of these will nurture your spirit and create goodwill in the World!" Inner door students of Zhang Mén Tao are especially charged with being honest and upright at all times, protecting the weak and defenseless without gain, upholding the Altar of the Ancients, honoring their parents, family & fellow adepts, healing the sick & infirm to the limit of their skill, storing and sharing the Zhang family analects and knowledge of Zhang Mén Tao for the sake of future generations.

A final word on Zhang Mén Tao: In this family system, learning the art of healing is more important that any of the gongfu skills developed by the study of Zhang Mén Tao or any gongfu art.  Learning to heal others creates 'soil' upon which the foundation of attaining Wuji or "no extremity in action or mind" can be built.  This is the ultimate gongfu skill of easing the suffering of your fellow human being.