Tai Chi Classics: Root of Sun Lu-tang's Internal Arts
There is a big, ongoing argument about two key Tai Chi books: Sun Lu-tang’s and Wang Zong-yue’s. My main question is simple: Do they fight against each other, or do they work together to continue the tradition?
The best answer comes directly from Grandmaster Sun Lu-tang himself.
Sun Lu-tang's Inheritance and Lineage
Sun Lu-tang wrote that Zhang Sanfeng started Tai Chi, and Wang Zong-yue explained its secrets very well. Sun then listed his teachers, showing a direct line from Zhang Sanfeng down to him. Modern research confirms Sun Lu-tang was indeed the ninth generation to receive this teaching.
Some people wrongly claim that Sun Lu-tang didn't learn Tai Chi from Hao Wei-zhen. However, Sun Lu-tang himself confirmed he was Hao Wei-zhen’s student.
In fact, around 1914 in Beijing, Sun cared for Hao Wei-zhen when he was very ill for over a month. Because he was so thankful, Hao Wei-zhen decided to teach Sun Lu-tang all of his martial arts knowledge.
Sun Lu-tang then spent many years studying the Tai Chi he learned. He blended this with the internal martial arts skills he already had in Xingyi and Bagua Quan. By combining these three main arts, he created his own style: Sun Style Tai Chi.
The Theoretical Foundation: The Tai Chi Quan Lun
In his book's introduction, Sun Lu-tang wrote that the older book, the Tai Chi Quan Lun, gave him the main ideas for his Tai Chi Quan Xue.
Wang Zong-yue wrote the Tai Chi Quan Lun (太极拳论). People recognize it as the most important and basic book for all Tai Chi theory.
This book guides the philosophy for all Tai Chi schools, including Wudang Tai Chi. It does not belong to just one style.
Wang Zong-yue’s philosophy covers everything from Wuji (no limits) to the Ten Essences. It connects the human body to nature's laws, just like the I Ching (Book of Changes).
If you really want to understand the Quan Lun, you must study the I Ching first.
Complementary Roles: Reason vs. Method
The relationship between the two texts is one of inheritance and mutual completion.
- The Tai Chi Quan Lun Focuses on "Reason" (理): It is a philosophical and principled document. It focuses on abstract core concepts like "Yin and Yang," "Empty and Solid," and "Yielding and Following". It describes the state you should aim for ("A feather cannot be added, nor a fly alight") and the general principles. It is the "Constitution"—the fundamental law that guides all practice.
- Sun Lu-tang wrote the Tai Chi Quan Xue (太极拳学) in 1921. This book gives us the "Method and Application."
Think of it as a detailed action plan. It shows us the exact steps, like body positions and detailed movements, that help us reach the goals in the Quan Lun.
Sun Lu-tang blended his deep knowledge of Xingyi and Bagua into this book. He created a hands-on guide that teaches us how to put the theory into practice. This book acts as the "Specific Law"—it provides the detailed instructions based on the basic "Constitution."
Unified Core Philosophy
Despite their different focuses, the core philosophies of both texts are highly unified:
- Unity of Body and Dao: Both aim for the perfect state of "form and spirit complete" (Xing Shen Ju Bei).
- Overcoming Hardness with Softness: Both reject clumsy, stiff force (Zhuo Li), emphasizing yielding and neutralizing.
- Internal and External Harmony: Both stress the unity of intention, Qi, force, and form.
Sun Lu-tang created his Tai Chi Quan Xue for two main reasons. First, he learned Xingyi, Bagua, and Tai Chi from many great teachers. Second, he spent his life studying the I Ching (Book of Changes).
The two texts are not contradictory; they are a seamless, complementary whole.