mantis7
09-17-2004, 02:04 PM
First thing I would like to say is do not let tradition blind intellect, reason and common sense!
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hungfutkune Quote
"After doing my own research on German Bai Lung, I was quite disappointed to find out that he actually teaches and is considered a sifu. I can accept these type of mistakes and comments coming from one who is new to the Kung Fu world and is still learning, but not from someone who is supposed to be an example to other people."
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Now I would like to comment on this statement...
First off a Martial arts teacher is a person first and foremost.
Their behavior, norms, moral and ability to acomplish task are based on their limits and human nature.
now for those out there who believe that a Sifu should be a Budda, spiritual person or what have you, please take your heads out of the clouds. They are human beings and may have morals, ideas, cultural beliefs and mannerisims that you do not agree with. This does not take away or add anything to their martial skill.
If someone is a Sifu, all it means is that they have the ability to teach someone martial skill. Now if you want to learn morals from them, ettiquette or what have you then find someone who posses the mentioned qualities. To say someone is not a good Sifu because of the way they behave is a bunch of bull****. IF he can fight, teach, train a person to high levels of skill his character is a secondary thing. This secondary thing is an idea based in comfort. IF you want to live the idea of the kung fu movie whichis of a teacher helping you learn how to fight, kill, defend the weak or what have you all the while helping you attain some kind of spiritual enlightment then so be it. If a certain person does not meet your idea ( abstract) of a sifu this does not take away from their ability. There are teachers who some will perceive as being a good guy and those who you will see as a bad ass. In this situation the good guy doesnt always win. Usually its the bad ass who looks to fight, talks alot of trash and backs up his word that tends to have the better skill. This is in part that he looks to fight and thus hopefully raising his skill level. the good teacher does not wish to fight and rarely doesnt which in turn may dull his skill because it is not tested.
A sifu should be based on his quality of teaching, level of skill and morals should only be brought in when it concerns your own personal desires or qualities sought when looking for a teacher. I am very sure many of us have know Sifus who are big mouths, ******* or what have you yet they their fighting skill is beyond reaproach. If you are going to come with the arguement that oh they should also posses a certain type of attitude, humbleness, meekness in order to be a sifu I will say that is a bunch of bull****. That is a personal belief and should not be a blanket belief across the board. A martial arts sifu is a person who teaches COMBAT plain and simplie! If they happen to be a good person who can help you become a better person then that is an added bonus. but as logical people we direct our own lives and know what roads we should travel and how we want to carry ourselves when traveling these roads....
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Wang Rui Xuan Quote
"Getting back on track here I would certianly be interested in hearing what your valuable thoughts are on the proper approach/methedology one should take in attempting to compare two mantis branch family systems"
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Well to comapre and contrast anything one should first look at the common ground shared .. If the core material, the very essences of the two family branches are similar or mirror images then that is where the jouurney begins.
See where they are the same. this will make it easier to determine where they are diffrent. You take these diffrences and disect them.
Are they assimilated into the system well or are they thrown in with no real meaning?
Are these diffrences effective or are they only family/clan markers?
Now look to the added materials influence on the family's system?
Is the system no longer a mantis core system?
Did these added materials increase the effectivenenss of the system?
Is the added material a boon to the Mantis system and something you may want to add to your own family system?
Is it just for show or is their more meaning between the addition?
Is it paying homeage to the center ideal of mantis?
These are just some of the questions on should ask... If something is diffrent one should question it but if it is added skillfully and does not detract from the system then it should be a mote point. A teacher should always be looking to imporve his/her own personal skill as well as the systems over all effectiveness. If you try to stand still when the tidal wave of progress is coming at you... you will drown and be wiped away.
when it comes down to it all you can say is if it is effective. You can say ohhh I dont think its mantis because it wasnt created by one of the great masters. Remeber at one point in time they were all students just like all of us.
If it works use it and find a way to make it meld with our current skills and tech. Once it becomes a part of us then it is becomes apart of our systems.
Also remeber that no matter how hard you train sooner or later Mantis is no longer mantis but a hybrid because everyone has a certain way of moving and the system over time becomes indivdual. The forms could be the same, the tech could all be the same but in the end it is the indivdual who brings out the true jewel that is mantis..
Victor
__________________________________________________ __
hungfutkune Quote
"After doing my own research on German Bai Lung, I was quite disappointed to find out that he actually teaches and is considered a sifu. I can accept these type of mistakes and comments coming from one who is new to the Kung Fu world and is still learning, but not from someone who is supposed to be an example to other people."
__________________________________________________ _
Now I would like to comment on this statement...
First off a Martial arts teacher is a person first and foremost.
Their behavior, norms, moral and ability to acomplish task are based on their limits and human nature.
now for those out there who believe that a Sifu should be a Budda, spiritual person or what have you, please take your heads out of the clouds. They are human beings and may have morals, ideas, cultural beliefs and mannerisims that you do not agree with. This does not take away or add anything to their martial skill.
If someone is a Sifu, all it means is that they have the ability to teach someone martial skill. Now if you want to learn morals from them, ettiquette or what have you then find someone who posses the mentioned qualities. To say someone is not a good Sifu because of the way they behave is a bunch of bull****. IF he can fight, teach, train a person to high levels of skill his character is a secondary thing. This secondary thing is an idea based in comfort. IF you want to live the idea of the kung fu movie whichis of a teacher helping you learn how to fight, kill, defend the weak or what have you all the while helping you attain some kind of spiritual enlightment then so be it. If a certain person does not meet your idea ( abstract) of a sifu this does not take away from their ability. There are teachers who some will perceive as being a good guy and those who you will see as a bad ass. In this situation the good guy doesnt always win. Usually its the bad ass who looks to fight, talks alot of trash and backs up his word that tends to have the better skill. This is in part that he looks to fight and thus hopefully raising his skill level. the good teacher does not wish to fight and rarely doesnt which in turn may dull his skill because it is not tested.
A sifu should be based on his quality of teaching, level of skill and morals should only be brought in when it concerns your own personal desires or qualities sought when looking for a teacher. I am very sure many of us have know Sifus who are big mouths, ******* or what have you yet they their fighting skill is beyond reaproach. If you are going to come with the arguement that oh they should also posses a certain type of attitude, humbleness, meekness in order to be a sifu I will say that is a bunch of bull****. That is a personal belief and should not be a blanket belief across the board. A martial arts sifu is a person who teaches COMBAT plain and simplie! If they happen to be a good person who can help you become a better person then that is an added bonus. but as logical people we direct our own lives and know what roads we should travel and how we want to carry ourselves when traveling these roads....
__________________________________________________ __
Wang Rui Xuan Quote
"Getting back on track here I would certianly be interested in hearing what your valuable thoughts are on the proper approach/methedology one should take in attempting to compare two mantis branch family systems"
__________________________________________________ __
Well to comapre and contrast anything one should first look at the common ground shared .. If the core material, the very essences of the two family branches are similar or mirror images then that is where the jouurney begins.
See where they are the same. this will make it easier to determine where they are diffrent. You take these diffrences and disect them.
Are they assimilated into the system well or are they thrown in with no real meaning?
Are these diffrences effective or are they only family/clan markers?
Now look to the added materials influence on the family's system?
Is the system no longer a mantis core system?
Did these added materials increase the effectivenenss of the system?
Is the added material a boon to the Mantis system and something you may want to add to your own family system?
Is it just for show or is their more meaning between the addition?
Is it paying homeage to the center ideal of mantis?
These are just some of the questions on should ask... If something is diffrent one should question it but if it is added skillfully and does not detract from the system then it should be a mote point. A teacher should always be looking to imporve his/her own personal skill as well as the systems over all effectiveness. If you try to stand still when the tidal wave of progress is coming at you... you will drown and be wiped away.
when it comes down to it all you can say is if it is effective. You can say ohhh I dont think its mantis because it wasnt created by one of the great masters. Remeber at one point in time they were all students just like all of us.
If it works use it and find a way to make it meld with our current skills and tech. Once it becomes a part of us then it is becomes apart of our systems.
Also remeber that no matter how hard you train sooner or later Mantis is no longer mantis but a hybrid because everyone has a certain way of moving and the system over time becomes indivdual. The forms could be the same, the tech could all be the same but in the end it is the indivdual who brings out the true jewel that is mantis..
Victor