[dscott]

Although, from my limited experience with Wushu, I've found him to be condesending and a "know it all" at the age of 19, I think that everyone has to give him a break. Like Bamboo said, he's in a different city with different people. It's a tough time.

I was re-reading his original post and he didn't seem to come across as being that offensive. He said it wasn't for him but that's his opinion.

Originally Posted by WushuPadawan001

"He was impressive, very good rooting and control."

"Fair enough. I thanked him for his instruction and left for my drive back to campus."

"Now, I do not want this to come across as a put down on the school. The teacher, although away in China when I visited, has a very respectable background. Also his students are very skilled and courteous. But it is just not my kind of school"

But then again, I wasn't there. I don't know if what Wushu's saying is the truth. I also don't know if what lokhopkuen and Yellow are saying is the truth. Personally, I don't care. This should be taken care of through PM's or separate emails in my opinion. Whatever.

[bamboo]

Gentlemen,

Sorry that I am posting knowing full well that I do not understand the traditions of kungfu and its related practices.

It has been mentioned more than once though that "ethics" and traditions of shaolin monks are followed. I have been a student for many years in the soto zen lineage and have spent quite abit of time with actual buddhist monks (shaolin monks are firtsly buddhist monks). Do you not think they would exercise compassion and understanding towards wushu and would also dismiss idle talk and gossip as nothing more than a violation of the precept to practice "right speech"?

Just a thought.

-bamboo

[PunchDrunk]

Wushu,

I remember before you came to Jeff's that time and time again BloodyBirds told Jeff that he had seen something. Jeff's response was "You didn't see it correctly." You too have failed to see correctly.

Now is the time to understand and give meaningful appology for your errors and the offense you have created. Without realizing it, you've brough shame to everyone who has put time and effort into your Kung-Fu education. My effort on your behalf is miniscule, therefore I do not suffer as Mike does over the damage you've done to yourself.

We who count ourselves among your friends see that you are on the wrong path, and understand the harm it will do to you. Mitigating the harm you are doing to yourself will only cause you to go further down the wrong path, therefore we can only watch with heavy hearts as you suffer.

Bloodybirds came from his dark period, and I have committed mistakes the length and width of which I won't describe here. When it looks the darkest, we are still out here for you my friend and we will salvage what we can.

[zefff]

Wow man WushuPaddwan must have a red face right now Poor chap.

I too thought he must have had enough of a scolding by now but I remember one time a youth came to our school of Wing Chun and rather than coming to learn for himself he came to assert himself. He got into a discussion with one guy because he didnt like what he saw and actually said he thought he was as good a fighter as any 3rd level student he saw that day. Sifu laughed when he joined the conversation and invited him to spar with any level 3 student he wanted.

He picked one guy and they began sparring with MMA type gloves on. The level 3 guy didnt even bother to hit him much but just kicked him here and there a few times and forced the youth to trip over his own poor footwork while trying to keep up. The level 1 students laughed.

The youth made his excuses and then went on to say "Okay maybe not level 3 but Im sure Im as good as any Level 2 student here." Sifu called me out to spar him so I did as the level 3 guy had and didnt hit him much at all but focused exposing his poor footwork, putting him off balance and darting in to take him down with some simple Shuai Jiao type stuff. The level 1 students laughed.

"Okay, maybe not him but I could take that one there." He pointed to a level 1 guy who was laughing at him. So Sifu says "Well are you sure you can handle a level 1 guy now? You started on 3 and now you are on 1. Lucky for you the kids arent here!" ...Everybody laughed.

So while he is resting for the next round he has people asking him what his problem is and cant he see how silly he is making himself look and maybe he should just go home etc. Anyway, they start sparring and the level 1 guy is flying straight in and drilling his face and body with punches and turning him away. Everybody rolls their eyes.

After that the sifu is laughing and asks "What now?" The guy is like "I dont know what happened today but I know my 'X style' can beat Wng Chun!" The Sifu offended, walked up, slapped him in the face then said "how dare you" and told him to get out. Nobody laughed. If you saw Sifu's palms you would not laugh either

When I was young and learning MA for myself I didnt consider how the experience might be different for the teacher. For them it is a passion, a livelyhood and the fruit of a lot of sacrifice. The school matters to the teacher, we young men dont know what the wider picture is and reputation is everything as someone said. When we are a single young man we are only concerned with ourselves and we dont imagine how other people think...its only natural!

I myself have been in WP position and thought a school was crap. Best thing is to keep your opinion to yourself because what if Lophopkuen was a psycho teacher! Ive heard stories of people who have been hunted down and made example of before. Infact, with all the bashings I have given on here I am waiting for the day that someone recognises me and comes looking!

peace

[Bloodybirds]

Amen!! PunchDrunk said it all....Wushu, we brothers back here in Houston are there for you if you need us!! You have had a deep lesson in how seriously some in our art take it. Under my Shaolin master, and under my Ying Jow master, I would have had a similar attitude toward your approach. As someone who had to go through Hell 13 years ago when losing a family, friends, etc. over stupid things I did and I was a 30 something old man at the time. Sifu Bolt is extremely forgiving in many things and would probably attribute this to youth and growth. However, Wushu needs to understand that, like myself and my traditional training, many people take the traditions very seriously. When I first went from Sigung Shum To Sigung Anderson, I made a fool of myself and acted very arrogantly.....Sigung Anderson and my three seniors in my Shaolin school gave me a butt whipping I barely walked away from...ouch it still hurts....LOL!!! In any event, whether a verbal or physical but whipping is called for, Bamboo and others I understand and sympathize with your comments but....in traditional Shaolin this reaction is normal and expected. I do agree that certain allowances should be made for inexperience, being in a new place, etc. but now is the critical time for Wushu to learn a valuable lesson!! And, as I have said, I know my friend Kisu well enough to know that if Wushu approached him with humility and contriteness, and showed the respect and honor that I know he has, Kisu would end up being a mentor, good friend, and guide for Wushu even if does not train under him but stays with John.

Wushu should know that I may not be happy about what happened but he is still a kung fu brother and he is not alone out there!! Believe me, 23 years ago I took a very scary leap and left the safety of Dallas Tx and moved to NYC. As a result, not only did I work on Wall Street and meet the father of my art, Leung Shum, but my oldest and dearest kung fu brother, Joel Rodriguez. As well, my Shaolin brothers and my brothers and sisters at Jeff's school have all become very important to me.

Sooo.....the hand has been extended....it is up to the other party to grasp it!!

[bamboo]

When I was young and learning MA for myself I didnt consider how the experience might be different for the teacher. For them it is a passion, a livelyhood and the fruit of a lot of sacrifice. The school matters to the teacher, we young men dont know what the wider picture is and reputation is everything as someone said. When we are a single young man we are only concerned with ourselves and we dont imagine how other people think...its only natural!

Well said Zefff! As a former teacher myself, i can tell you that often teachers forget that perspective themselves.

[Bloodybirds]

Amen to Zefff's perspective as well...guys, we are here for our young Padawon, especially privately. Wushu has my cell phone number.

[lokhopkuen]

Thank you all for your support and friendship.

[Bloodybirds]

First, compared to some of the craziness we have had here, my friend Kisu, yours is still mild and understandable. Second, stop right there with you deranking yourself...LOL... we both know your skill level!!! Besides, the disciple of Ken Sui and Johnny So I think would have some decent skill after all of these years!! Then again, compared to my three teachers I certainly am no master either!!! Although it might take at least a minute to two minutes now for Sigung Shum, Sigung Anderson, or Sifu Bolt to show me the Lord!!! Amen!! Your comments, trust me, are out of honor, not craziness and others on this forum should recognize it. I have extended a helping hand to my sidei, and he knows my cell phone, hopefully he will take the leap or at least offer a more sincere apology.

[bamboo]

A childish impulse no doubt unbecoming of a gung fu master. Fortunately I am not a master, only a daily practitioner working to understand myself through gung fu practice. I any of you are truly bothered over this I will never post again here but my offer to Wushu dude stands.

Post as much as you please as often as you please. It takes a hell of alot more to get edited or banned here. Straight talking is best, if claims are made then proof is asked for.

The bottom line is this. Wushu posted his opinion, you countered it. The rest of the forum is weighing in with opinion and discussion.
Its all good.

My honest opinion: Ego is hard to keep in check. This is not directed at anyone but is directed at everyone. I see myself on both sides of this discussion.

-bamboo