Check the image below to find the answer.
AHAHAHAâŚ
So true, especially when you spar for the first time.
the worst one is when youâve been sparring for about ten minutes already, and along comes some behemoth and you just think
âballsâ
Originally posted by Ikken Hisatsu
[B]the worst one is when youâve been sparring for about ten minutes already, and along comes some behemoth and you just think
âballsâ [/B]
NO, NO, NO.
The worst is when you have to spar multiple opponents and you look at the queue waiting next to the mat-area and realise that the last one is YOUR Sifu and he is grinning with delight.
Religion and Martial Arts
What do you think about mixing these together?
Do you think itâs OK to make students practice or least observe Buddhism in order to study at a particular school?
Want to hear your commentsâŚ
Spiritual outlook
Hi ED,
Having a spiritual outlook is definitely a plus in martial arts. Martial sports really donât need to have a spiritual outlook although a martial sports person such as Ali has a powerful spiritual outlook that some would even think of him as a latter day prophet. Once upon a time in America, Ali has a beautiful mind. It is sad that he could not carry on his Godâs work today.
Personally, I believe that spiritual outlook is the difference between a technician and a master of an art. BTW, there are 2 approaches to apply spirtiual outlook in MA. One route is through philosophical discipline (reasoning) while the other is mystical discipline (meditation).
I tell stories about all religions although I use them main as parables. In a form such as 18 Luohan, I have at least 18 stories that I can tell just to help my students to graspe the imagaries. My favorite is the 5th road âYasha (demon) probing the oceanâ. It could lead to many of the Chinese mythology which always draws their attention.
I am of the opinion that if they understand my spiritual outlook they will have the benefit of understanding how I function. In that case, we will communicate much better. I have not intention of making spiritual duplicates of myself. So I donât require my students to take upon any spiritual outlook.
A great topic there, my friend. 
Warm regards
Mantis108
Religion is all about killing people who disagree with you.
MA is all about how to kill people.
Itâs a match made in Heaven! (pun intended)
lol
good one
In all seriousness, that is a personal thing. If someone wants to mix the two then they should be allowed to. If they only wish to practice the martial aspects without religious aspects, then they should be allowed to do so. No one should be forced to practice any of the religious aspects of the CMA.
i agreeâŚI donât think anyone should be forced to anythingâŚbut if you donât understand the spiritual roots of your art/s, just donât think youâre really studying it
Originally posted by blooming lotus
i agreeâŚI donât think anyone should be forced to anythingâŚbut if you donât understand the spiritual roots of your art/s, just donât think youâre really studying it
True, however understanding the spiritual roots and practicing them are two different things.
Re: Religion and Martial Arts
Originally posted by EarthDragon
Do you think itâs OK to make students practice or least observe Buddhism in order to study at a particular school?
Since your school is a voluntary, private group, it seems within your rights to restrict membership by any arbitrary standard you please.
That said, I would personally be extremely uncomfortable with a martial arts instructor who forced religous beliefs on their students, even if I happened to agree with them; and recommend ardently against it.
I think as long as you understand those roots..itâs all good and irrelevant if you subscribe or notâŚ
Re: Religion and Martial Arts
Originally posted by EarthDragon
Do you think itâs OK to make students practice or least observe Buddhism in order to study at a particular school?
Hell no its not right! what kind of stupid cr@p is that?
No one made me observe a religion to take math or science, why should it be required from a ma school? Utter B/S.
Oh, as far as understanding roots goes, those roots only go so deep. I fully agree with understanding the origin, but making folks practice is more than a bit too much.
Very good posts.
The argument is the other way around.
You study MA to defend yourself and not be harmed. You save life and serve justice.
If you practice Daoism (Wu Dang) and Shaolin Zen Buhhdism, you need to study MA so as to complete or help your spiritual learning.
Use Zen meditation to enter the world of Wushu. So that Zen and Quan are one and the same. (Zen Quan Her Yi)
As a matter of fact, you may practice or not practice religions.
But, all that Wushu learning will not help us, if we do not know how to be/make a âmanâ in the first place. That is why all schools of Wushu are tightly bundled with certain âdisciplinesâ (life philosophy or religion).
Again, it is your choice for the enlightment for your own being (consciousness or Zen).
Greetings..
Historical knowledge of religious connections to the Arts is relevant.. but, dogmatic instruction of a particular belief system during MA class is not likely to be well received.. to insist that an MA student receive religious instruction is contrary to rational thought.. If you choose to offer religious instruction as a separate class with no expectation that a student must accept âyourâ beliefs, thatâs fine.. In fact, the walls could be adorned with the Sifuâs choice of religious references as long as there is no expectation that free-thinking students adhere to that belief system.. If the Sifu insists that students adhere to a particular belief system, then call it a church, not a Kwoon..
Although i donât personally claim any single âreligionâ, i do find Taoist Philosophy to be the most closely aligned with my understanding of âLifeâ.. i offer tidbits of Taoist wisdoms during class, but only as it relates to a particular lesson or as it connects in a historical context.. Separate from MA class, i host a Taiji Club where i tailor the study of Taiji from the Taoist perspective, i also welcome contributions of other âphilosophiesâ.. i tend to reject formal religions as unnecessary rituals that distract us from the experience they claim to be seeking, including âReligious Taoismâ.. Religious Taoism is contrary to its own philosophy, but.. thatâs another story..
I have found that some of the principles of Internal Arts conflict with some peopleâs religious or philosophical or scientific beliefs.. and i respect their beliefs by counseling them to simply accept the lessons in whatever context they are comfortable with.. i have always been able to neutralize any religious conflicts.. In the Muay Thai Class where the uniform requires shorts, some religions forbid the exposure of the legs, so we let the student put shorts on over long pants.. situation neutralized..
The choice is simple, do you want to be a preacher or a Martial Arts instructor.. if you choose to expect students to adhere to your particular belief system, it should be stated up front and the corresponding loss of revenue accepted as a consequence of that choice..
Just my own perspective of things.. Be well..
All excellent replies,
The reason I asked is that one of my former students opened a school and although she is jewish she is using a buddhist temple for backing. She has a life size statue in the front window and from the outside it looks more like a place of worship than a place to train. This puzzels me and I am trying to understand her intentions and motive. So I thought I would bring this up to the many knowledgable friends I have on this forum.
I am still under the impression she is using religion to market her school to make up for the incompleteness of her training. She had only trained with me a short time and never ranked and higher than middle road beginner, then went on to learn a little here and a little there. She weighs 112 lbs and teaches wrestling to male adults but does not get on the mat???
hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Do you think itâs OK to make students practice or least observe Buddhism in order to study at a particular school?
No, itâs not necessary. I understand the buddhist ties most CMA have but itâs not necessary to learn to fight. On the other hand, students usually have a choice of schools to go to, and if not, it suck sbut you donât have to go to a school tahtâs going to make you study a religion of any sort.
Originally posted by SPJ
[B]
If you practice Daoism (Wu Dang) and Shaolin Zen Buhhdism, you need to study MA so as to complete or help your spiritual learning.
[/B]
no