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Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional Training: There are so many rules in a Kwoon, why?
In Shao-lin we say
"Zhen Tung Shin Nyan." The first two words "Zhen Tung" means traditional
and the last two "Shin Nyan" mean training. The arts have been taught
the same way for hundreds of years. Certain methods are used to develop
the students character as well as his physical skills.
In a non-traditional school very little attention is paid to ethics and old
traditions. This kind of training takes away much of what the art is
trying to teach along with the many techniques of self defense. It is
believed by traditionalists that if the character is developed and self
discipline is cultivated, the chances of physical encounters are
lessened. Most fights start because of faults in character training.
"Real men" are seldom trying to push their weight around. Rather they try
to avoid physical conflict realizing it seldom solves anything except to
inflict damage on another human being. Most encounters can be easily
avoided when you have a clear headed and controlled individual there.
Of course there are times when nothing can be done and you must defend
yourself, but this is generally not the rule.
Proper training includes development of mind, body and spirit.
To do this certain rules are
strictly enforced in a kwoon to help a student develop proper attitudes
towards other people. The old masters were constantly testing their
students' patience and character traits. If the students passed these
tests they were taught all the teacher had. If not, the teacher would
often reject such student as poor candidates for Shao-lin knowledge.
The methods remain much the same today as they did hundreds of years ago.
Little has changed in the traditional schools of learning. I feel this
methods are not old-fashioned as many would have you believe. They serve a
good purpose, which is to make us better human beings who can handle
the stress and riggers of life.
The first rule of Shao-lin to to win the
battle over the SELF. If you fail this, you fail life. Your greatest enemy
is indeed yourself, not others. Therefore the focus of Shao-lin is to
take charge of your life. A person in charge himself or herself is a
leader among men. The only way I know how to do this is "Zhen Tung Shin
Nyan".
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