Level 2 Reading 4B

Ch.8 Reading 4B

第8章 阅读4B

THE CHANGING FACE OF KUNG FU In the fifth century—according to legend— an Indian master taught some monks at the Shaolin Temple a series of exercises, or forms, inspired by the movements of animals. These forms became the basis for the style of fighting known as kung fu. Over 16 centuries, the monks have used kung fu for self-defense and in war. With it, they have won many battles against their enemies. In Dengfeng today, ten kilometers from the Shaolin Temple, there are over 60 martial arts schools with more than 50,000 students. They come to the schools for a variety of reasons. Some hope to become movie stars. Others come to learn skills that will ensure good jobs in the military or police force. A few are sent by their parents to learn self-control and hard work. Master Hu Zhengsheng teaches at a small school in Dengfeng. Recently, he was offered an important role in a kung fu movie. It would have been good publicity for his school, but he did not accept. He doesn't agree with how kung fu is often shown in movies. He feels they show too much violence. Unlike many large schools, which teach acrobatics and kickboxing, Hu teaches his students traditional kung fu forms. He teaches them the way his master—a Shaolin legend—taught him. But attracting new students to this style of kung fu has become a problem. Hu is afraid his art will soon die out. He has to remind his students that kung fu was designed for fighting, not to entertain. "There are no high kicks or acrobatics here," he says. "It is hard to convince boys to spend many years learning something that won't make them wealthy or famous." Hu's students have little. They sleep in unheated rooms and train outside no matter what the temperature. They hit trees with their bare hands and take turns sitting on each other's shoulders to build leg strength. Why such hardship? To master kung fu, they must learn respect, and how to "eat bitterness," a Mandarin expression meaning "to endure suffering." The life of a Shaolin master, Hu teaches, is not easy or attractive. Master Hu is in a difficult position. For old traditions to survive, the young must learn. Gradually, he has begun offering a few courses in kickboxing and the acrobatic kung fu forms, hoping to attract new students. Then, maybe, he'll be able to convince them to learn Shaolin kung fu the traditional way.

功夫的变脸 五世纪——据传说-- 一位印度大师在少林寺教了一些僧侣一系列受动物动作启发的练习或形式。 这些形式成为了被称为功夫的格斗风格的基础。 16个多世纪以来，僧侣们将功夫用于自卫和战争。 有了它，他们赢得了许多与敌人的战斗。 今天在登封，离少林寺十公里， 有60多所武术学校，5万多名学生。 他们来学校有各种各样的原因。 有些人希望成为电影明星。 其他人来这里学习技能，以确保在军队或警察部队找到好工作。 少数人被父母送去学习自我控制和努力工作。 胡正生大师在登封的一所小学校教书。 最近，他被邀请在一部功夫电影中扮演一个重要角色。 这对他的学校来说是很好的宣传，但他没有接受。 他不同意功夫经常在电影中出现。 他觉得他们表现得太暴力了。 与许多教授杂技和跆拳道的大型学校不同， 胡教授他的学生传统功夫形式。 他以少林传奇大师的方式教导他们。 但吸引新生学习这种功夫已经成为一个问题。 胡担心他的艺术很快就会消亡。 他必须提醒他的学生，功夫是用来打架的，不是用来娱乐的。 他说：“这里没有高踢腿或杂技。”。 “很难说服男孩花很多年时间学习一些不会让他们变得富有或出名的东西。” 胡的学生很少。 他们睡在没有暖气的房间里，无论气温如何，都在外面训练。 他们徒手击打树木，轮流坐在对方的肩膀上以增强腿部力量。 为什么这么辛苦？ 要掌握功夫，他们必须学会尊重，以及如何“吃苦” 一种普通话表达，意思是“忍受痛苦” 胡教授说，少林大师的生活并不轻松，也不吸引人。 胡师傅处境艰难。 为了使古老的传统得以延续，年轻人必须学习。 渐渐地，他开始开设一些跆拳道和杂技功夫的课程，希望能吸引新生。 然后，也许他能说服他们以传统的方式学习少林功夫。

♪