Martial Artist to Talk About Religions in China

Brandon, MB — On March 24, the Religion Department will present a talk entitled “Religions of China”, featuring guest speaker Sigung David Cliff. He will discuss martial arts and their spiritual connections.

With more than 40 years of experience in various martial arts, Cliffe is currently the head instructor of a non-profit martial arts organization in Winnipeg called the Ching Wu Athletic Association. In 2006, this association was chosen to be an associate school representing the Shaolin Temple in Canada.

Cliffe’s martial arts experience —both external and internal — includes 20 years spent teaching at Ching Wu. He has trained with many renowned masters in Canada, Japan, and China, like Joseph Chen and Andrea Falk for tai chi, Sylvio Behring for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Hangting Shen for White Crane Kung Fu, and Master Xu Gong Wei for Chaquan. As well, he has also trained in judo, and has competed successfully in local and national martial arts events.

This talk will examine the symbolic and practical connections between the philosophies and myths of Eastern spiritual practises, and the theories and tactics of Eastern martial arts. This will include:

• The fight for religious freedom and the holy man as warrior.

• Daoism and the internal arts.

— The Yin/Yang and Taijiquan

— The Eight Trigrams and Baguazhang

— The Five Elements and Xingyiquan

• Buddhism and the external arts.

— Shaolin: the cradle of Zen

— Shaolin: the birthplace of Kung Fu

— Fighting arts of the gods

Sigung David Cliffe will give his talk from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., on March 24, in Room 104, in Clark Hall. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762

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