The Qualities of a Kung Fu Master
Posted by Philip in Features, Philosophy on Nov 18, 2008
There is that saying… “when the student is ready the master will appear”. Perhaps there is some truth there. I have certainly been blessed with having great kung fu teachers. But then I have also encountered some “not so great” kung fu teachers. A good kung fu teacher is a tremendous blessing and finding a great master is akin to finding a gem in a haystack. To help those in search of good or great teachers Master Wong Kiew Kit provides some useful guidelines:
A good master must live what he teaches. She must be able to defend herself and, especially in Taijiquan master must have some internal force, and exhibit radiant health. These are the basic qualities these arts are meant to develop.
Being an excellent fighter is necessary but not sufficient for teaching kung fu. A good teacher should be knowledgeable and have a sound understanding of the art he is teaching. She should be able to answer basic questions her students may have about the what, why and how of their kung fu. In the East especially, some masters may are good fighters but may not be very knowledgeable. This okay if you think “master” means someone who has great skill in kung fu but who may not be a teacher. But… opposite is not acceptable. In kung fu you should not be able to say “those who can do and those who can’t teach”. A kung fu master must be an example of what she teaches.Those who know but cannot do are scholars not masters.
A good kung fu master is systematic and generous in his teaching. He should not be haphazard in teaching or withholding teaching his art. On the other hand, a good master teaches according to the needs and attainment of his students and so students who have not attained the required standard can not expect to learn advanced kung fu (sometimes this comes across as withholding).
The difference between a good master and a great master is that a great master radiates inspiration, making tough training joyful. She makes complicated concepts easy to understand, provides an unspoken assurance that she can fix anything that might be wrong and spurs her students on to doing their very best and beyond.
A great master teaches and lives according to good values. The world’s best fighter who brutally wounds his opponents cannot be called a great master. A great master is tolerant, compassionate, courageous, righteous and shows great love and respect for life. Great masters are rare and worth their weight in gold.
Source: Master Wong Kiew Kit
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“provides an unspoken assurance that she can fix anything that might be wrong” – that’s an assurance that a Master would be unwilling to make, considering the requirements for personal humility and an understanding of the incredibly complex inter-related forces involved.
It’s also an unspoken assurance which a lot of the more ‘popular’ travelling Masters are capitalising on commercially.
“provides an unspoken assurance that she can fix anything that might be wrong” -
Actually, I think this is a vital part of a Master. I know that my Sifu has this ability. It’s not, in my opinion, what my Master says (it’s “unspoken”) neither is it something he does intentionally. It’s a feeling. It’s a feeling that you get when you’re about them, training with them or speaking with them. It’s that feeling that tells you your Master knows what he’s doing. It’s a tust that you naturally and easily share with them.