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Martial Etiquette
1. Always address your teacher with their respected title, in or out of class. They should not be addressed by their first name, unless told to do so. Calling them by their first name means that you do not acknowledge their training level, which therefore breaches the Martial code.
2. Always introduce your teacher with their title to students, friends and public, in our out of class.
3. Always address your teacher by their title when writing letters to them. This is a lifetime responsibility of respect. It is best not to use your title, if you have one, when addressing a senior. Be humble. Giving out titles when addressing seniors is often considered as trying to impress them.
4. Bowing to your teacher and other students coming in or out of your training area is a sign of respect. It is the oriental way of hand shaking, except there is no recognition of monetary achievement. From one person to another, it is simply a pure sign of respect and gratitude.
5. Never debate the cost of instruction with the teacher. If you feel it is too high, find another teacher who charges less. Paying teachers to teach is your gift to help pay their expenses, etc. It is a sign of respect. To debate the costs says that the instruction is debatable in its worth, which is a sign of disrespect. Always be timely with your fees – teachers, in turn, will be timely with their tuition.
6. Try not to be late for class. If you are late, apologise to the teacher upon entering. If you can’t make it routinely on time for some specific reason, discuss this with your teacher ahead of the time. Teachers notice who is on time and who is constantly late without apology. This affects their instruction. Do not leave class early because you are tired or have better things to do, unless you ask permission from your instructor before hand. Discipline yourself to not show tiredness and complete the class without question. This creates tenacity and discipline for other things.
7. Each system has traditions if it is a complete art. Pay good attention to these traditions for they represent that particular system. Acceptance and usage of these traditions shows your skill level. Sloppy tradition means sloppy attitude, which means sloppy practitioner.
8. Without being asked, clean the training area or various part of the school, like the change rooms. This shows good humbleness and respect, regardless of how senior one is. If you see the teacher clean the school, this is saying that the students are lacking in their responsibility.
9. Senior students should know and feel comfortable with the senior teachers’ rules and be able and willing to explain with understanding these traditions to junior students. Traditions have reasons and one should understand the necessity for them.
10. The longer you study from a teacher, the more you represent them. After five years you represent your teacher.
Code of Ethics of internal and external martial arts
1. Always honour one’s family and give without expectation of receiving. Strive for family honour. It is a lifetime responsibility.
2. Second to one’s family, honour your teacher. They are to be treated like a father or a mother who give you the art of life. Give and sacrifice without expectation of receiving. It is a lifetime responsibility for one’s official teacher.
3. Treat your fellow students as a brother or sister. By giving and helping them to be better, in truth this will strengthen you.
4. Senior students, be humble. Treat junior students as equals, thus enabling you to have the respect and position of senior. Junior students, be respectful to your seniors. Their treatment of you as an equal is a sign that they are starting to understand deeper martial arts and are worthy of senior respect. This humbleness is to be respected.
5. Never consider yourself knowledgeable, regardless of time in training. We are only on a staircase that is very long and with no apparent end.
6. Recognise that everyone will have strengths and weaknesses greater than yourself, regardless of his or her time in the art. Try to help their weakness. In turn, your weakness will be strengthened.
7. Senior students are responsible to demonstrate the ‘codes’ in and out of class. This example shows that you yourself don’t consider your art separate from your everyday life, that it is part of everything. This demonstrates the strength of your art and makes good practitioners and teachers.
8. Rely on your teacher’s judgement as best as you can. Many times you may not agree with the policies or actions, but it is your responsibility to stand behind them and strive for better understanding. Remember that one is just on a step and possibly the next step will give you better understanding.
9. Remember that teachers are human. They make mistakes and have problems like anyone else. Realise that no-one will be a perfect example. It is this kindness and understanding that makes you strong by respecting this humanness.
10. Be an example of courtesy, regardless of what step you are on in your training. Courtesy in and out of class is a sign of strength. By giving courtesy, you get courtesy and respect.
11. Empty your cup – allow criticism and suggestions by anyone. If you are open, remembering that we are all equal human beings helps. Thinking we know a lot means we know a little. On the other hand, never openly criticise your teacher. Hold your doubts or criticism to yourself and possibly your view will change later on the matter. Criticising back to your teacher says that you are equal in knowledge. This is considered very poor code and essentially you need another teacher. Don’t think of criticism as personal, criticism is only suggestions or sharing to gain better refinement from outside eyes. This is the reason to take classes in the first place. Teachers are no different and need criticism from their seniors to grow. Without self-examination created by suggestions or criticism, one is no better off than reading a book. We need other eyes to tell the real story.
12. Carry yourself earnestly and always try your best. Disregard other people’s expectations of yourself. Doing your best for yourself gives you honour and pride.
13. Martial arts is practise in containing one’s ego. Approach this practise with a smile and from that you will get better at it. Containment of one’s ego is essential for proper energy and totalness of martial arts. Remember that martial arts are sharing and non-competitive unless you choose to do so.
14. The showing of too much power is any joint exercise shows that you have no ego containment. Use of technique with kindness and appreciation is a sign of strength. To intimidate others is low level. Demonstrate containment – this is a sign of strength. It is a personal test to try not to get even. When someone betters you, complement him or her. Do not feel degraded by being bettered. Appreciate this as being personally helpful. They are giving you something to work on for the future. It is your responsibility to do your best in all your classes. Do not allow yourself to just follow or stand idle. Practise regardless of your grasp or ability of the technique. It is your responsibility not to complain of tiredness or your ability of practise. Tenacity is the ability to keep trying, with or without the teacher. By doing this, you will always feel better when you leave and you will gather honour and respect. Idleness means idle instruction in return.
15. Cleanliness – refined cleanliness means refined mind. Clean clothes and body show by example the honour and ethics you hold.
16. Never ask for more knowledge. Let the teacher decide when you are ready. To ask is a sign that you have perfected what has already been given to you. Remember – any knowledge has a lifetime of perfecting. By working hard on what you have is the first sign that you are getting ready for more and deserve it.
17. Always remember your teacher’s birthday, Christmas, etc. Give them some gift of appreciation from your heart, no matter how small. This sign of thoughtfulness and respect allows a bond that makes the teacher feel appreciated.
18. If you are far away from your teacher and you visit them or any other teachers, it is proper to bring them a small gift each time. This can be food for casual visits or presents suitable for more important visits. This is traditionally important.
19. If you have fallen out with your teacher but want to re-establish your connection, it is most important to bring a gift upon your first contact and to give your humble apology, regardless of whether you feel it is totally deserved. A good teacher will always accept a good apology, regardless of whether they feel you or they were wrong. Saving face most times does not allow the teacher the flexibility of the student.
20. Anytime one invites the teacher over to their home or anywhere else, it is essential that there is always food and drink available. This shows good respect and manners.
21. Although a part of ethics is instilled to control one’s combativeness to a point, it’s main goal is to learn an inner relationship of respect and understanding towards one’s teacher, fellow students, ourselves and even to the school or space we learn from. This also helps open pathways for our internal understanding and energy awareness.
To become a proficient practitioner of a martial art
1. Have faith in your selected style of martial art. Without a steadfast belief in your system, interest will diminish and mastery will not be achieved.
2. Respect your chosen teacher, who has sincerely accepted you as his / her student. Recognise his / her knowledge and ability as being most worthy of emulation.
3. Cultivate patience during training. Your goal will be reached in good time with proper application. A calm endurance and self-possession will also aid in the resistance of any potential provocation.
4. Practice as much as possible, not only in the training hall (kwoon) but at home. Every hour of practice will deepen and solidify your basic foundation to prepare for a higher level of training. Consistent practical performance or application of knowledge leads to certain proficiency.
5. Acquire confidence in yourself through your art. This state of mind implies a cool self-reliance under any circumstance. It offers the assurance of doubt and to be able to keep calm in the face of any danger.
Student code of conduct
1. Each student should clock a minimum of six hours’ training per month.
2. A verbal or telephonic apology must be rendered before the start of class if you are unable to attend. (Shirje’s tel: 785-3827)
3. A proper and formal greeting is expected on entering the training area. The student must first greet Shirfu (Shirje), seniors and his/her fellow students, irrespective of rank.
4. All students are asked, where possible, to support and participate in school events which fall outside of formal classes. This may include outings, demonstrations, promotional events, dinners or any event which may assist in the promotion of Chinese martial arts and culture.
5. It is understood that as a member of the school, all students have in their hearts and minds a loyalty to Shirfu and the school. If any student does not feel this loyalty, then it is in their best interest and peace of mind not to be a member of this school.
6. School fees are necessary in order to allow students to have premises in which to train. All fees are due by 7th of each month and are payable in advance. Missing classes do not exempt you from financial obligations, nor do holidays.
7. All documentation, etc, to be filled in by each students. Please notify your teacher of any change in address or telephone number.
Swearing Ceremony
We, as members of the school, will train our bodies and minds until they become in perfect harmony as an ultimate goal.
We, as members of the school, will only use our knowledge for legitimate self-defence.
We, as members of the school, will show courtesy and prudence (discretion, wisdom, awareness) to all elders and teachers.
We, as members of the school, will be kind, honest and friendly to our colleagues.
We, as members of the school, will not show our art to the common people, even to the extent of refusing challenges.
We, as members of the school, shall never be bellicose (eager to fight)
We, as members of the school, will practice without interruption.
We, as members of the school, will be modest, patient and humble (showing a low estimate of one’s importance)
We, as members of the school, will always be gentle and merciful.
We, as members of the school, will never be aggressive, greedy or boastful.
General terms of Chinese martial arts
Kiu / Kiu-Sau – bridge arm
Kuen – fist, fist fighting
Kuen-Fa – fist fighting method
Kuen-Su – art of fist fighting
Kuen-Tu – boxing form
Kung – power or strength of martial art trainee
Kung Fu – colloquial term / hard work or skill
Wushu – martial art, kung fu (Mandarin)
Sanda / Sanshou / Leitai – free fighting loose
Taiji – Ultimate fist, Tao
Tao / Dao – Universe, Ultimate, Taiji
Mo – Military
Mo-Tu – Disciple
Moon-Yan, Dai-Gee, Mo-Su – formal terms of martial arts
Pai – style, system, special group, school
Shao Lin Chi – Mandarin pronounciation of Siu Lam Monastery
Chi Kung / Qi Gong – vital energy, intrinsic life force
Tui-na / Chinese massotherapy – therapeutic injury and non-injury massage.
Chung-Shir – Grandmaster of a style
Dai-Gee / Moon Yan – student, follower, disciple
Gar – family name
Jo-Shir – founder of the style
Shirdi – younger brother
Shirxiong – elder brother
Shirje – elder sister
Shirju - nephew, student of shirdi
Shirfu – kung fu instructor, revered title for a technical professional of any trade. Paternal teacher, kung fu father, mentor.
Shirgung – teacher of shirfu, grandmaster
Shirmo – wife of shirfu
Shirmei – younger sister
Shir-boh – younger brother of shirfu
Shir-boh-gung – elder kung fu brother of shirfu
Shirsho – younger kung fu brother of shirfu
Shirsho-gung – younger kung fu brother of shirgung
Tohdi – student, disciple
Tohxuen – student of Tohdi, kung fu grandson
Tung-moon – fellow student, follower of the same style
Laushir – teacher