Why did Jin Yong highly praise the Wudang and Quanzhen sects?

When mentioning martial arts in Jin Yong's novels, many people immediately think of Shaolin. But in reality, it was the Taoist-influenced schools like Wudang and Quanzhen that were truly favored by the late Hong Kong author with his special writing style.

Zhang Sanfeng is a familiar character in Chinese films and television, based on the works of Jin Yong - Photo: XN

Kim Dung favored martial arts schools of the Taoist school.

"There is no one before him, and no one after him" is how Jin Yong described the character Zhang Sanfeng when he created him in the novel "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

With such a description, Jin Yong asserted that Zhang Sanfeng was the greatest martial arts master in the history of Chinese martial arts.

From a character with a mystical aura of Chinese Taoism, through the pen of Jin Yong, Zhang Sanfeng was hailed as the "foremost" in the martial arts world, and the Wudang school he founded was elevated to the same level as the Shaolin Temple, which was established several hundred years earlier.

Besides Wudang, another martial arts school favored by Jin Yong was the Quanzhen Sect. The founder of the Quanzhen Sect, Wang Chongyang, is described as "unbeatable in the world" in both of his novels, *The Legend of the Condor Heroes * and *The Return of the Condor Heroes*.

Jin Yong's character Zhou Botong (left) is considered an adaptation of the simple, detached image of Lao Tzu - Photo: SC

Zhou Botong, the younger brother of Wang Chongyang, is considered by later generations in Chinese literature to be an embodiment of "Lao Tzu," embodying the philosophy of non-action (wu wei) and possessing extraordinary wisdom in the guise of an innocent, unworldly person.

Throughout his novels, Jin Yong consistently praised martial arts originating from Taoism, hailing it as the "authentic and profound" martial art of the Chinese people, while Shaolin kung fu was only referred to as "external" (meaning it was introduced to China from outside).

The most powerful martial arts techniques in Jin Yong's novels, such as the Nine Yin Manual (based on Lao Tzu's philosophy) and Tai Chi Quan Sword (created by Zhang Sanfeng), all bear a Taoist influence.

It is clear that the late Hong Kong literary giant had a great fondness for the Taoist martial arts system. This stems from Jin Yong's own worldview – a person deeply influenced by Taoist thought.

Upholding the philosophy of Lao Tzu and Zhuang Zi

Growing up in a traditional environment, Jin Yong was exposed early to the classics of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, the "three religions" that are paramount in Chinese religious culture.

But as he matured, Jin Yong chose to remain committed to the philosophy of Lao-Zhuang because he believed this system of thought was more flexible, critical, and balanced.

In an interview with Ming Pao in 1993, the renowned novelist himself admitted that he often kept the Tao Te Ching next to his writing desk and "reread it dozens of times," because the philosophy of "non-action" helped him remain calm when facing public pressure.

Kim Dung studied law and international relations at Suzhou University and then went on to research Hong Kong's cultural traditions, establishing a broad theoretical foundation.

However, he has repeatedly expressed skepticism about the rigidity of Confucianism. In a 2006 lecture at the University of Hong Kong, he remarked that Confucianism “places so much emphasis on social order that it restricts the individual,” while Taoism encourages people to step back from conflict and observe the essence of things.

This perspective reflects the intellectual stature of a writer who has lived through political upheaval and witnessed the clash between power and personal life.

The influence of Taoism is not only reflected in his philosophical choices, but also in his attitude towards life. Many of his collaborators have noted that Jin Yong had a tolerant working style, avoiding extremism and always maintaining a calm tone even in heated debates.

Through the pen of Jin Yong, Taoism is considered the foremost culture and martial art of China - Photo: XN

Cultural researcher Yang Mingfeng (Peking University) assessed this temperament as "close to the non-contentious spirit of Lao Tzu," tending to transform tension into dialogue (quoted from the Journal of Sinology Studies , 2007). His ability to maintain a gentle perspective is what made him a model of Hong Kong intellectualism in the latter half of the 20th century.

In the field of journalism, where competition and conflicting viewpoints are commonplace, Jin Yong maintained a cautious and restrained attitude. When running the Ming Pao daily newspaper, he often intervened to tone down inflammatory language, arguing that journalism should "follow nature and not force or manipulate public opinion."

This perspective is based on chapter 57 of the Tao Te Ching, which emphasizes governance through simplification and limited intervention to allow society to balance itself. This approach helped Ming Pao emerge as a newspaper that maintained a moderate stance during the political instability of Hong Kong in the 1960s and 1970s.

In terms of his worldview, Jin Yong repeatedly refers to Zhuangzi's concept of "great wisdom appearing foolish," considering it a yardstick for judging people.

According to him, the louder an individual tries to prove something, the more likely they are to fall into misconception. These statements appeared in a 2005 anthology of cultural dialogues from the Chinese Academy of Hong Kong, showing him using Taoism as a compass for social criticism.

Kim Dung's wisdom is heavily based on Taoist scriptures - Photo: CN

This spirit of humility is also reflected in his frequent refusal to accept the title "martial arts grandmaster," believing that all veneration should be placed within limited boundaries.

In a 2010 interview with Phoenix Television, he said that Lao-Tzu and Zhuang-Tzu's philosophy "helps people accept impermanence without despair," which is especially helpful in old age when friends gradually pass away.

Jin Yong's novels are widely popular and resonate with people not only because of their captivating plots and iconic character development, but also because of his classic writing style that allows him to express profound thoughts and philosophies.

And among them, Taoist philosophy is perhaps the most prominent element, giving rise to countless masters, heroes, and a profound philosophy of life – conveyed through martial arts.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-kim-dung-de-cao-cac-phai-vo-dang-toan-chan-2025111110053976.htm