In Chinese tradition, the present & the future are directly linked to the past. In the Kung Fu Kwoon (School), the knowledge & the skills you learn today are the result of hard work & serious training done by the ancestors of the system.
Because knowledge, once understood, can never be taken away from you, it is something, which should be treated with respect. As knowledge is what is given in the training hall, it too should be treated as a place of respect. Your Si-Fu (teacher), the person who imparts the knowledge of the system on to you, must also be shown the utmost courtesy & respect at all times. Remember, your Si-Fu is the one guiding you through all the obstacles that you may encounter, sharing his / her experience with you, helping you to achieve your goals & avoid making unnecessary errors.
Upon first entering the Kwoon & when entering or leaving the training hall, students should courtesy to Si-Fu & courtesy at the entrance to the training hall before entering. Once inside the hall, before anything else is done, students should courtesy before the picture of the late Grandmaster, Yip Man, thereby thanking those who have trained before them passing down their knowledge & wisdom. The picture next to that of Yip Man, is a picture of Si-Fu Jonathan Church, who passed away in the Black Hawk helicopter disaster in Townsville on 12-6-96. Si-Fu Church was a Si-Hing (elder brother) to Si-Fu Alfredo & the first Gold Belt graded by Si-Fu Rick Spain. This act of courtesy should also be done immediately after the end of a training session.
It may seem rather strange to do such things in today’s modern times. However, if you stop & think for just a moment, it is never out of date or out of fashion to show a little respect & courtesy to ones elders.
The concept of linking the past to the present is also evident in the relationship between people in the School (Kwoon). Si-Gung is your teacher’s teacher. Your Si-Fu’s teacher is referred to as Dai Si-Fu (Si-Bak). Your teacher is called Si-Fu. In earlier times, he / she was looked upon much like one looks upon ones parents. The wife of Si-Fu is called Si-Mu (phoenetic= Si-Mou). Students who have trained (are training) before you are called your Si-Hing (elder brother) or Si-Je (elder sister); they are seniors. In most cases from having trained longer than you have, they are looked upon like an older sibling or one to whom you could look for advice & help (in this case, probably for help with your techniques). Those who come to the School after you are referred to as your juniors, either Si-Di (younger brother) or Si-Mui (younger sister).
The whole system operates much like a family would, with knowledge & experience being handed down from the old to the young.
Si-Fu Alfredo Del-Brocco
President Wing Chun Australia.
