Hehe ... "Sun Zi Bing Fa" (or more commonly known in the west as Sun Tzu's Art of War) is one of the most popularly read and translated book of military strategy of ancient China.
What actually is "Sun Zi3 Bing Fa3"?
"Sun Zi3" is the respectable term used to address the original author who wrote SZBF and it actually means "Master Sun" or "Great Teacher Sun" just like how Confucius is revered as "Kong3 Zi3" ("Great Teacher Kong") instead of his name "Kong3 Zhong Ni2". So, the real name of "Sun Zi3" is "Sun Wu3" (pronounced as "Soon Woo" in English). He was born during the time of the Spring & Autumn Period ("Chun Qiu") ... circa 770-476 BC. At that time, the Middle Kingdom ("Zhong Guo2"), China was separated into 12 states, each with its own ruler. The 12 states were:
- Wu State ("Wu2 Guo2")
- Yue State ("Yue4 Guo2")
- Chu State ("Chu3 Guo2")
- Song State ("Song4 Guo2")
- Lu State ("Lu3 Guo2")
- Zheng State ("Zheng4 Guo2")
- Zhou State / Chou State ("Zhou Guo2")
- Wei State ("Wei4 Guo2")
- Jin State ("Jin4 Guo2")
- Yan State ("Yan Guo2")
- Qi State / Chi State ("Qi2 Guo2")
- Qin State / Chin State ("Qin2 Guo2")
"Sun Wu3" was a native of the Qi State ("Qi2 Guo2") but eventually left and settled down in the Wu State ("Wu2 Guo2") where he was given the chance to present and demonstrate his 13 chapters of war treatise to the Wu King ("Wu2 Wang2") and eventually helping the later proved the effectiveness of the "Sun Zi Bing Fa" by defeating the other states over and over again in many battles, thus helping establish Wu State as one of the most powerful states during the Spring & Autumn Period ("Chun Qiu").
"Bing Fa3" means "Art of War" or "Military Strategy", or in this case "War Treatise". So, that's why "SunZiBingFa" is commonly translated as "Sun Tzu's Art of War".
Just by reading and understanding the concepts extolled in the Sun Zi Bing Fa, one can clearly see that "Sun Zi" is definitely one of ancient China's most brilliant military strategist and in the same league with the very well-known "Zhu Ge3 Liang4" or "Kong3 Ming2" of the 3 Kingdoms period (circa 220-280AD).
"Sun Tzu's Art of War" is more than a book of military strategy. In fact it is also a book of psychology and human relationships. The theories and concepts of "Sun Zi Bing Fa" can be effectively used to enhance our work, business and life in general.
"Know Your Enemy, Know Yourself ... One Hundred Battles, One Hundred Victories!" - SunZi (510BC)
In recent years, interests in the "Sun Zi Bing Fa" has greatly increased in Malaysia & Singapore, due to the great efforts by experts to disseminate its theories and concepts through books and seminars. Among the most established and well-known experts of "Sun Tzu's Art of War" in Malaysia, Singapore and South East Asia in general are: Dr. Wee Chou-Hou (Professor of Business Policy, National University of Singapore), Dr. Ong Hean-Tatt (GUI Management) and Mr. Khoo Kheng-Hor. Sun Zi Bing Fa seminars are conducted in Malaysia and Singapre all year round by these experts (and many more), in both English and Chinese.
Ok, is "Sun1Zi3Bing1Fa3" all about strategies for war and victories in conflict?
"To Subdue The Enemy Without Fighting Is The Perfect Victory" - SunZi (510BC)
What do you think? Hehe :)
regards
cityhuntergatherer
ps. The "Sun Zi" or "Sun Tzu" in "Sun Zi3 Bing Fa3" (Sun Tzu's Art of War), is pronounced as "Soon Cher (with a silent "c")" instead of "Sun Zee".
pss. Apart from "Sun Zi Bing Fa" (Sun Tzu's Art of War), the other "must-read" ancient chinese classics are:
- Journey To The West ("Xi You2 Ji4")
- Water Margin (Outlaws of the Marsh) ("Shui3 Hu3 Zhuan4")
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms ("San Guo2 Yuan3 Yi4")
- Dreams of the Red Mansion ("Hong2 Lou2 Meng4")
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