Vajramushti Quotes

“Therefore at this juncture the study of movement was vital to hone one's growth, develop robust health, and build vitality for superior lifestyle. Man must have mastered the art of movement by learning the various martial moves, and he must have realized the various mood states it develops.”
― Christopher Fernandes, Vajramushti

“All these physical practices were subjected to subsequent meditational observation in which students would examine what had arisen within their minds during the practices and their responses to such stimuli. Progressively there are different types of meditations, which are concerned, with the development of a balanced, quiescent and ultimately realistic experience of mind called smriti, they are concerning the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects. Through such practices as mindfulness, practitioners were brought face to face with a greater experience of the nature and motivations they carried within their bodies and minds.”
― Christopher Fernandes, Vajramushti

“However, over the years, the martial arts were separated into two schools for training, one for actual combat and the other as ritual dances that served to reinforce Manipuri cultural identity and played an important role in the physical and spiritual growth of the students who studied it.”
― Christopher Fernandes, Vajramushti

“Also the fact that those engaged in battle, often (whether willingly or not) experience a heightened awareness of the transitory nature of life and death that prompted some teachers of Buddhism to include conflict as one of the potential areas for spiritual development and progression. Hence implications of martial arts training have been the prerogative condition, for the monks to heighten their spiritual awareness. From its earliest inception within India, the Bodhisattva Vajramukti was regarded as a powerful and potentially dangerous cathartic physical practice, because it dealt directly with the liberation and channeling of primitive energies and instincts. A teacher powerful in both body and mind was necessary to convey its principles and guide its students. These cautions were carried over into China and the resultant Chinese martial arts (Chuan Fa or Kempo) were likewise taught only to monks or devout Buddhists of a suitable disposition. Such cautions as existed both in India and China were often justified.”
― Christopher Fernandes, Vajramushti