Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

In both the East (eg: Shaolin, Sohei) and the West (eg: the Knights Hospitaller/Teutonic Knights/Knights Templar), there were orders of monastic religious warriors.

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

Of very different forms. Shaolin monks, at least, had martial arts training for a very different reason than knightly orders did. The knightly orders went off and campaigned for religious reasons. It was because of this that they needed to learn how to fight. It wasn't their focus, and as a result wasn't as regimented and documented.

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

I'm not sure all the western orders mentioned were exactly great at the spirituality bit, though. Possibly not even literacy. To give them their dues, they weren't too bad at the monastic bit (mostly), and the Hospitallers do pretty well these days on the good deeds front.

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

Well, I'm pretty confident the Eastern orders were just human beings too. They may have had some cultural advantages in education, but they were certainly ambitious, and often enough went off and campaigned for their own goals.

Also, the Knights of Malta (Hospitallers) were, and remain, a very significant and well-educated medical body, as well as a military force.

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

There's a show on the History channel, called Human Weapon. The hosts go to many different places, learn the forms of masters, then fight them. Here's the link: http://www.history.com/minisite.do?c...&mini_id=54986

Enjoy. :D

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

There's an even better show of that kind, but the name escapes me at the moment. This one is pretty interesting though, while some datas are incorrect. ;)

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

There's a good one hosted by a French lady...I forget the name, but she goes around the world, studying martial arts and meeting with martial arts masters. It's a very good show.

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

Yes, but the one with the lady is more on the deep, artistic side. Absolutely interesting too of course. Human Weapon and the one I was referring too are more training-combat oriented.

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

Would you happen to know the name of this French lady, or even this interesting program you keep mentioning? :p

Pity DominionsFan isn't around any more. He left Dominions to focus on his martial arts training, trying to become a professional fighter. :eek:

Re: OT: Western v. Eastern martial arts
 

I found it, it's called "Deadly Arts" Hosted by Josette Normandeau, on FitTV--It's very good, and Josette herself is quite charismatic and charming. She has black belts in Shotokan Karate and Aikido.