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| Discipleship ceremony |
Discipleship in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts
By Master Wayne Yung
Head of the Snake Crane Wing Chun Athletic Association, Hong Kong
As a Snake Crane Wing Chun teacher, I have had a number of students from all over the world. Some of them became my disciples, but not all understood what discipleship really means, or the honor and responsibility that the title of disciple brings.
I will try to explain briefly what discipleship really means.
Discipleship
Discipleship is a social institution associated with traditional Chinese martial arts and has its roots in the old Confucian tradition. This kind of relationship is found in traditional Chinese martial arts and has been part of Chinese tradition for centuries.
We need to preserve the traditional cultural values upon which traditional martial arts were built, or we risk losing both the arts and an important part of ourselves.
It is also important to understand that discipleship is open to people regardless of their culture, religion, or ethnicity. Among other things, discipleship provides ethical and moral guidance, and the values it attempts to uphold can be understood as universal.
Yup Sut Dai Gee
Yup Sut Dai Gee, literally translated as “In-the-Back-Door Skill Son,” is the Chinese term used here for discipleship.
Traditionally, the Yup Sut Dai Gee, or disciple, represents the school and the Sifu in the public eye.
If a disciple behaves badly or sets a poor example, this reflects badly upon both the school and the Sifu. The disciple's actions can therefore bring dishonor upon the school.
The Yup Sut Dai Gee looks after the school and makes sure that Mo Duk (Martial Virtue) is upheld at all times, including in the Sifu's absence.
A disciple is committed to carrying on his or her Sifu's teachings.
Before a student becomes a Yup Sut Dai Gee, he or she must earn the respect and trust of the Sifu. The student must demonstrate that he or she is honorable, loyal, reliable, and has complete faith in the school and the Sifu.
If a Yup Moon Dai Gee (student) decides to accept the honor of becoming a Yup Sut Dai Gee, or disciple, he or she must also accept the responsibilities that come with that title.
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| Discipleship document |
The Responsibility of Becoming a Disciple
Many people nowadays seek discipleship for the wrong reasons.
If you want to become your Sifu's disciple, you should first consider your motives for doing so.
It is not about what your art can do for you, but what you can do for your art.
You do not become a disciple in order to promote yourself. Quite the opposite: becoming a disciple means abandoning selfish motives and dedicating your practice to something beyond yourself.
You must always respect and support your art, your ancestors, your Sifu, and your kung fu brothers and sisters.
It becomes your sworn duty to honor your teachers by maintaining your lineage.
To become a disciple is like adopting a parent. It is not something to be taken lightly.
You swear an oath to be bound to your school and Sifu for life.
A warrior's word is like an arrow: once released, it cannot stray until it strikes its target.
Preserving the School
A Yup Sut Dai Gee also takes on responsibility for the growth and continuation of the school.
If a school does not grow, it dies.
The disciple therefore shares this responsibility with the Sifu. The disciple is not simply someone who receives knowledge from the teacher; the disciple also accepts responsibility for helping preserve and transmit that knowledge.
It is said that if a Sifu has many Yup Sut Dai Gees, his school will prosper, because many people are looking after the well-being of the Sifu and the school.
Discipleship is therefore much more than a title.
It is a relationship based upon trust, loyalty, responsibility, martial virtue, and a commitment to preserving the art for the generations that follow.
Master Wayne Yung
Head of the Snake Crane Wing Chun Athletic Association, Hong Kong
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| Author with Sifu Wayne Yung |
Note: Photographers are from the author's personal collection