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• Jet Li Chat
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  Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 1:49PM / Standard Entry / Members only
  50 comments

  The following is the transcrīpt from Jet's online chat dated July 15, 2007.  To discuss this chat we have created a forum thread here:
  

  http://www.alivenotdead.com/bbs/thread-11832-1-1.html
  Keep your eyes peeled to jetli.com for future chat announcements!

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  14:05 - first, Jet says hello to everyone!  Thanks for joining this chat!

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  14:10 - Question #1:

  Ako: "Is there anything you do every day? I pray every morning so that everyone can have a peaceful day and you can spend a day safely. However strongly we wish for such peace, it is sad that we can't spend a day without having murder cases or natural disasters every day somewhere in the world."

  Thanks for asking. Yes, everyday I chant and meditate. I  pray for a peaceful world and positive energy to all.

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  14:17 - Question #2:

  Q: Other than hoping for your fans to donate, in what other ways would you like them to contribute to the One Foundation?

  Donations are material support.  The One Foundation also works to provide emotional and caring services.  While we hope to gather material support for the One Foundation, we also hope that it leads people to care for others.  Other than donations we hope to spread caring and love between families, friends and neighbors.

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  14:20 - Question #3:

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  14:23: Question 4

  I read that you will be acting as the Monkey King in "The Forbidden Kingdom" with Jackie Chan. As it was reported, your character, "Silent Monk" fights using a type of Monkey Style. I was curious what preparations you did to develop this character's fighting style, if you have much experience with Monkey Style (did Yu ShaoWen teach you some moves while you were on the Beijing Wushu Team?) or what differences this character's fighting style has from traditional/classical Monkey Style kung fu.
  The movie is loosely based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. In Forbidden Kingdom I play two characters. One is Silent Monk. The other is Monkey King. Monkey King, the style is not an external style. Rather style comes from your heart. Your heart leads that style.

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  14:28: Question 5

  Aian: I learn Wu Shu 4 years , i become i Nan quan champion in Bulgaria and i was on world kung fu wushu championship with Taiji quan , and for so many years i can't understand what is the difference between kung fu and wushu?

  In Chinese, kungfu is a mark for time. You can use kungfu to describe anything as long as you've spent a lot of time working on it. For example, you can say that a chef's cooking kungfu is great. Because that chef has taken 10 to 20 years to gain those abilities. Since wushu takes a lot of time to learn, so you can say your kungfu is great. But wushu actually means the art of averting conflict. Wushu includes culture, discipline, philosophy, technique as well

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  14:34: Question 6

  Seraphina: you say that you are really shy , I really like to know how do you overcome to one's shyness ?

  I learned English in my 30s. When I first started out, I was afraid I would be bad at it and people would laugh at me when I use it. So I was worried about other people's perception. But then I realized that when I see someone who only knows English and is learning Chinese. I am happy to hear him just say "ni hao." So if you just use your heart to try your best in whatever you do, then that will be fine. Language is a communication tool. Without saying anything, just a smile, the other person can feel your heart. Do your best and don't be too afraid of what others think.

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  14:41: Question 7

  Stargazer234: I remember you saying once that as soon as you're done with a film, you immediately forget the role you played, and start concentrating on the next one. Putting the bigger-than-life good guy to rest, and getting into the mode of an evil assassin would be very difficult for some of us.   So my question is, after spending so much time perfecting the persona of a character, is it really easy to seperate from it and never look back, and do you have any tips for doing this?

  Actually, even though I talk about this in regards to a role, everyone has this experience. Think about it -- we all work a lot and sometimes we work long hours. So we take a vacation. So you will take a break to rest. So we all share this in common. Of course, if you have meditation training, this maybe made easier to relax your mind. But that is why for all of us we have vacation. So we can take time off to relax and recover.

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  14:49: Question 8

  Dokushu:  Hello, Jet!  I've always been a big fan of your films and I've paid close attention to news regarding you.  I thought your suggestion of spiritual environment quite interesting.  As for me, your films are a great tool for spiritual environment.  My name is "Xiu Wei" (training in wisdom).  The name may sound very "zen-like".  A friend of mine who believes strongly in "Zen" once told me that this name is training in its best condition.  However, I feel I have shamed my name. (laugh) I'm just a normal guy who doesn't meditate in a Zen-like state and I don't really train myself.  However, I hope to attain spiritual satisfaction.  I was wondering if you can share your views on spiritual enlightenment from other means besides zen meditation, and the power of religious belief.  What other ways do you think can achieve spiritual enlightenment?  After all, not everyone in this world can share an affinity with Buddha.  Not everyone can achieve spiritual enlightenment.  If I can't question my faith, I wouldn't feel enlightened at all.  That really bothers me.  What other methods can you suggest?  Wish you peace and prosperity!

  Spiritual enlightenment isn't something reserved just for Buddhists and doesn't require a belief in Buddha.  As a people, there is a great amount of knowledge related to spiritual enlightenment available.  Environmental protection provides happiness, but we aren't necessarily used to carrying about our own mental state.  If you can understand what things create unhappiness, and you know how to control it, then you will be able to deal with things in a positive state.  Religious faith is effective, but it is not the only path to becoming englightened.

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  14:56: Question 9

  Jetliang:  You've attended a promotional event in the Phillipines for the endorsement of a name brand and a commercial shoot.  This company has donated over a million dollars to the One Foundation.  This is a win-win situation for both sides and is positively effective for the foundation and international promotion use.  Another thing, I know you will attend an event in Shanghai sometime in August for the One Foundation.  Is this international endorsement and grand scale charity event the main format you will be using for the One Foundation?  If not, what other promotional methods do you plan to use?

  Originally, I established the One Foundation in America.  Afterwards, I decided to implement it in my country of origin.  I have high hopes that one day, The One Foundation will have a global influence.  I've always said to my friends that Chinese people inhabit all parts of the world -- In any city with a population over a million people you will find a Chinese restaurant.  As such, I hope that there are Chinese people willing to help in any location that is affected by natural disaster.  We've been working very hard to fulfill this dream.  We have support from the largest beer manufacturer in the Philipines and in the future we will also have support from the NBA (National Basketball Association) as well as many other international organizations.  Since our belief is that, as people living on this earth, we are all one global family, the One Foundation is very international in scope.

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  15:02: Question 10

  Flagday: I love expensive action movies as much as the next guy (or gal) but I just think that there is an obscene amount of money invested in so many big budget flops. I'm also sure you and other stars like the salaries paid for your services when working on bigger budget films. Do you ever think about doing lower budget indie type films? I've heard about Monk in NY for so long now. That story seems like it could be made on a manageable budget, as long as it's a good story.   Any thoughts about doing lower budget movies in order to deal with issues which aren't "blockbuster" material? 

  I am open to all roles, but of course it depends on the story. I am still working on Monk in New York.  I Hope to have more news on it to you in the near future.

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  15:11: Question 11

  Leila:  Jet, we're well aware that you've invested in the movie industry and now that your film career is well established.  Have your thought about establishing your brand and investment in other industries like clothing, real estate and etc?  Would you step into the corporate business?  I also have another request.  July 18th is my birthday.  Can you wish me a happy birthday?  But even if you didn't make mention of it in your reply, I'll consider it that you've said it in your hear because you are Jet.  We are One family, right?

  My main priority is on the movies and the One Foundation.  Concerning your comments, I will just take things one at a time and see how they go.  As long as it helps the One Foundation, we'd be happy to cooperate with these types of organizations. 

  I wish you a very happy birthday and don't forget, we are ONE family.  I hope you can spread the love to everyone.

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  15:17: Question 12

  Hi, Jet!  Three questions.  First:  "Forget one self" and being "selfless" leads mankind to a godly state.  But can we mortals achieve the same?  I assume the point of training is to see the results.  What do you think about that?  Have you ever experienced being selfless before?

  Don't be fooled by religious terminology.  If we don't follow a certain process then overcoming that obstacle becomes very difficult.  Many things require effort.  If you ask me if I've had the experience of being selfless and forgetting myself, then I would say I have.  But two hours later, when I'm hungry, I come right back to thinking of the self.  To reduce that self-centeredness we have to have a practical beginning.  Have concern for your parents, sibblings, teachers and friends.  Show concern for your environment.  Then, bit by bit, these concerns will spread.  they will become about society and your self-centeredness will decrease as you show concern for others.  That is the point from which selflessness forms.

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  15:24: Question 13

  Liwong1121: Today, our nation of China (I am Chinese), I believe, is in a very weak time and that the only way for it to strengthen is if we as the Chinese people step up to be united as one and hold our beliefs as close as we can. I was wanting to know, in your view, what the next step is to take for China as well as its people to be more united as well to strengthen our nation?

  This is just one point of view of China currently.  It depends what you are referring to when you say China is weak; it depends on what viewpoint you take.  Some news portrays China as being in a very strong time. 

  My idea in starting the One Foundation was that we shouldn't compare ourselves to others.  The idea is that each individual should be strong. We can improve ourselves at every moment.  That way we do not have to worry about how others perceive us. But we all work to be one united family and to care about each other and everyone in this world.

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  15:27

  Thank you everyone for your questions and for joining me on this chat.  I plan to have another chat soon, so if your question was not answered, please don't be discouraged.  Keep thinking about what you would like to ask and we will have another opportunity in the near future. 

  Right now I have to run out to a press conference for the One Foundation.  We will post a press release on the One Foundation website (http://www.one-foundation.com) later today so please be sure to read that for more information.

  Please keep thinking about questions for our next chat.  I look forward to spending time with you again soon!  I hope everyone will be happy and healthy.

  Thank you!

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  15:42: Question 14

  Edit: It looks like we missed one of our answered questions so it is posted here.  Sorry for the delay:

  prajna flower;  How do you deal with negative moods?  For example, anger.  How do you extinguish it completely?  How do you cope with it?  What's the best way to handle such situations?  I'll wait for your reply.  Thanks!

  Anger and negative emotions don't solve problems.  We should be observant of the nature of person-to-person interactions related to behavīors and moods.  When there are negative emotions it doesn't necessarily solve anything.  When bad temper arises, wisdom approaches an all-time low.  Only logic, wisdom, compassion and consultation can solve problems.  However, a bad temper is not the scariest things.  Postiive and negative emotions are a reflection of nature.  Negative emotions are like dark clouds -- even though they cover up the sun it eventually becomes a thing of the past.  In that context, it isn't so bad.  You can live a happy life as long as you observe and gain an understanding of how things work naturally.