Animals, with their keen senses of smell, hearing and sight, are natural examples of the open senses theory of Chan Buddhism. Various creatures native to China, some imaginary and fanciful (unicorns and dragons) and some real (egrets, monkeys, tigers) provided the models for many Kung Fu movements. Close observation of animals fighting each other inspired different styles and schools, each one channeling animal instincts into a fierce but artful fighting forms.
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