I do not think a teacher, or any one person is the source of my entire knowledge, and, in fact, a well known Yang Style T’ai Chi Master cautioned in his book that knowledge should come from more than one source. I think it was something very opposite to what you have said. Very old man; maybe he has passed. His last name might be Lliang (sp?), in Massachusetts I think.
Respect does not equal worship. And, in fact, I have never met a wise man. To believe everything a teacher tells you is to give up your inner training on another level. If the teacher is training you from the ground up and the intent is to develop your full potential in the art and as a human being (something that is not usual), I would say that one’s attachment to that person and to their views would weigh heavily. However, in the absence of that, the student is kidding themselves and being led down the yellow brick road of chasing one’s own tail, or even more serious misdirection and damage. Teachers (even Shaolin) are human. The abilities they have developed are part of the human legacy, the potential for which is present in some more than others, an indication of where we have come from and where we are going. Nothing more. The day they become gods, I’ll say there are many gods who are human.
Blind loyalty can add up to fearing what you do not know. It does not necessarily result in trust or in respect that will stand up to ego (should that have an opportunity to go free). If I were a teacher I would not value it. I would turn your statement around to read that without respect and trust, there can be no true loyalty.
The teacher should respect the innocence of others. The teacher should be trustworthy enough such that each student can explore the innermost workings of self, and be respected by teacher for it. The teacher should allow students to be who they are, and to allow them to correct what Has to be corrected (not what needs to be changed to fit some predigested morality). For in people who know who they are and what they are capable of and who are free to be the best they are in and out of kwoon, there the teacher has a loyalty that cannot be forced by rules.
In this way one avoids betrayal. Too rigid an environment almost guarantees it to erupt in a serious context. In a relatively minor way, breaking some of the rules you mention might be considered betrayal.
The focus and devotion goes beyond any one person or group of people. While a Good person who teaches is worthy of love and respect, no person is worthy of worship, and none should demand it. Then, we have a cult.
Friendship with a teacher can be had a many levels, the most common of which is to be there to serve teacher’s needs. This is not real friendship, but the student takes it as precious crumbs. Friendship is a two-way street, and it can be hard to determine motivation on either end.
A leader by virtue of being a leader, is not any better in terms of his/her humanity. He might know more. He might be kinder, or not. He might make his way in this world more efficiently, or just happen to be in the “right” place. He might realize his abilities and use his development to do good in this world, but the minute he looks down on, places his humanity above those he serves, he is less than they are. He can evolve for better or worse just like anyone. I tell you, the aura of political office was one heck of a comparison.
Cody
