Sample Code Of Ethics » Kung Fu Code Of Ethics

While visiting an interstate class I was queried by a Kung Fu student on the importance of respect. This particular student found the Tong Long philosophy of respect rather difficult to comprehend and so asked me, "Sifu, I have come here to learn Kung Fu, why do I have to go through all of this formality about respecting; salutation and order formality; saluting to one another; don't you think it's a waste of time?"

I felt it was necessary to explain to this student the importance of respect and so replied, "respect is a necessary ingredient to be successful in Kung Fu or anything in life".

If you have a child who is not doing very well at school, you may ask them why school is so bad. Often the child will tell you they don't like their teacher.

I explained to this student how by not liking the teacher the child was showing disrespect towards their teacher.

So whatever the teacher says the child is not going to take to heart, or remember, or take directions when instructed in a task. The child doesn't want to know the teacher, so in class they don't see very well, they don't hear very well, they don't memorise very well and they don't train well. They don't go home and do their homework, because they don't care, they don't like the teacher.

I said to the student, "So you may ask what has this got to do with Kung Fu?"

Kung Fu is very similar, the Kung Fu in you respects someone, because of this, you pay closer attention, you have better hearing.

You do well in Kung Fu because you are interested, and from this interest naturally spawns your respect.

When you're interested, you listen to whatever your instructor might say, which enables you to learn faster.

You start to memorise, so it gives you a better memory; respect gives you a better memory.

And respect gives you better eyesight. You see the movement better because you take interest, so whatever movement your instructor shows you, you memorise it or try to do it.

You start to become a vehicle in which you can drive your interest forward. And then you start to see better, move better, listen better and memorise better.

But most importantly, when you go home, what do you do? You train! You don't want to disappoint someone you respect so you try your best, you take the initiative to train, so you can show your instructor what he or she taught you.

Respect is that important, it is your vehicle of learning.

After 50 years of studying and teaching Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Philosophy, Grandmaster Henry Sue is said to be one of the greatest modern day kung fu Grandmasters of our time. Grandmaster Sue currently advises Diplomats, Governments, Millionaires and anyone with a willingness to succeed in life. To learn more visit Grandmaster Henry Sue's website at http://www.chinesekungfuacademy.com