jimwhingtschun
2011-01-16 15:56:04 UTC
Das ist mal was sehr altes aber sehr nettes.
Es beschreibt sehr schön das peinliche Verhalten vieler Wing Tsun Wing
Chun 'ler.
"I'm the Best!"
by Rene Ritchie
"I'm the best!"
"I was the only one who learned the secret style/form/technique..."
"My way is the only true way..."
"Only I preserve the real/true/authentic/traditional/classical Wing
Chun exactly as Ng Mui/Yim Wing-Chun practiced it..."
"Everyone else is no good..."
"I was the Grandmaster's first/last/only/favorite/closest student..."
"I'm the only real Grandmaster/successor/inheritor..."
"I'm the best!..."
Since I first became active on the Internet several years ago, I have
had the good fortune to speak with Wing Chun Kuen practitioners from
many different branches, in dozens of different countries around the
world. I have found almost all of them to be uniquely interesting and
insightful. From them, I have gained numerous perspectives into the
art, and a continually growing appreciation of the depth and breadth
of Wing Chun.
However, no matter whom I speak with, what line they come from, or
where they practice, almost without fail I inevitably end up hearing
some variation of "I'm/we're the best!..."
In the broadest of contexts, most people who practice the Yip Man
style of Wing Chun (the most widely spread and often encountered
branch) often project that;
"Only Yip Man got true Wing Chun..."
"If Yip Man didn't do (insert form/technique/etc.) it wasn't
worthwhile..."
"Yip Man beat all the other Wing Chun people of his time..."
"Everyone else learned Wing Chun from Yip Man..."
"We're the best!..."
Conversely, people who practice the other, lessor known branches,
usually hold that
"Only we got true Wing Chun..."
"Yip Man didn't learn (insert form/technique/etc.) and we have it..."
"Our ancestors beat Yip Man..."
"Our ancestors taught Yip Man..."
"We're the best!..."
The same holds true within branches. In the Yip Man style alone,
there
are many, many claims of
"I'm the new grandmaster/true succesor..."
"I'm the best fighter..."
"I'm the only one who learnt the true style..."
"I'm the only one who teaches the true style..."
"I'm the best!...".
The same occurs in the Pan Nam, Yuen Kay-San, and other branches, of
course, although far fewer people are involved.
At times, these feelings flare publicly, such as the Hong Kong
V.T.A.A. (Ving Tsun Athletic Association) vs. William Cheung letters;
the V.T.A.A. vs. Leung Ting letters; the William Cheung vs. Leung
Ting
altercations in New York, Germany, and last year, New York again; and
the recent Yip Chun vs. Leung Ting feud in the Hong Kong media. Many
other older generation practitioners, although keeping their opinions
out of the public eye, are more then happy to share biting commentary
on their peers in more personal settings (and yes, the head of your
lineage does this to!).
Perhaps this is human nature, perhaps martial nature, perhaps even
something in the nature of Wing Chun Kuen practitioners. Other
martial
arts, although having several branches and prominent instructors,
manage to get along and work together (at least in public) to a much
greater degree then the Wing Chun family seems able.
Why can't Wing Chun Kuen practitioners get along? In the end, it
seems
often to come back to the heads of the various lineages propagating
"I'm the best...".
One has to wonder, then, "the best" at what? The best fighter? People
with no Wing Chun training at all can fight. The best preserver of
the
"true" method? We aren't machines and no one can replicate their
teacher exactly. At best we can remember what they did, filtered
through our own experiences and points of view. The best teacher?
Different students respond to different teaching methods. No one
method is best for everybody.
If the older generation can't seem to get along and all think they
are
"the best", where does it leave the younger generation?
Unfortunately,
many seem to adopt a "sifu says, so it must be true" attitude. In
fact, well meaning, loyal, but unfortunately misguided students are
sometimes at the root of the recent flare-ups in Wing Chun Kuen
politics.
Personally, I've never found "the best". I've seen and researched
many
branches of Wing Chun and spoken with many practitioners (both
teachers and students), and many have been outstanding, but each is
but one facet of the Wing Chun gem. Every branch has something to
offer. Some preserve older aspects of the art, some include brilliant
innovations. Some have maintained detailed records of legends and
histories, others have accumulated deep insights into principles and
concepts. Still others have developed great experience in practical
usage.
We are fortunate to have such a wealth of knowledge available too us,
regardless of which specific branch we choose to practice. In the
end,
we benefit and grow strong from them all.
Unfortunately, it may be too late for the older generation to put
aside their differences. In all likelihood, it is up to the younger
generation. With the many books, videos, and other information
becoming available, and with the Internet bringing practitioners from
around the world together, the ability to work together, gain
understanding from each other, and present a strong Wing Chun family
to the world has never been better.
As to "I'm the best!...", when I hear it I think back to my own
teacher's words, "maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, you have to go
out
and see for yourself". It also brings to mind the famed saying of Yip
Man sifu, "Maybe I'm tricking you. Go out and test it!
About the Author
René Ritchie was first exposed to the martial arts with Judo in 1980.
Over the years, he was also exposed to Wushu (Longfist, Bagua, etc.)
and other arts. He began studying the Sum Nung system of Wing Chun
Kuen under the guidance of Ngo Lui-Kay in 1990. Author of Yuen Kay-
San
Wing Chun Kuen: History & Foundation, co-author of Complete Wing
Chun:
The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun's History & Traditions, and writer
of many articles for Inside Kung-Fu, Martial Arts Legends, Martial
Arts Masters, and Wing Chun Today, he is also creator and publisher
of
the Internet WingChunKuen.Com website and co-administrator of the
Internet Wing Chun Mailing List. He works and practices in Eastern
Canada.
Es beschreibt sehr schön das peinliche Verhalten vieler Wing Tsun Wing
Chun 'ler.
"I'm the Best!"
by Rene Ritchie
"I'm the best!"
"I was the only one who learned the secret style/form/technique..."
"My way is the only true way..."
"Only I preserve the real/true/authentic/traditional/classical Wing
Chun exactly as Ng Mui/Yim Wing-Chun practiced it..."
"Everyone else is no good..."
"I was the Grandmaster's first/last/only/favorite/closest student..."
"I'm the only real Grandmaster/successor/inheritor..."
"I'm the best!..."
Since I first became active on the Internet several years ago, I have
had the good fortune to speak with Wing Chun Kuen practitioners from
many different branches, in dozens of different countries around the
world. I have found almost all of them to be uniquely interesting and
insightful. From them, I have gained numerous perspectives into the
art, and a continually growing appreciation of the depth and breadth
of Wing Chun.
However, no matter whom I speak with, what line they come from, or
where they practice, almost without fail I inevitably end up hearing
some variation of "I'm/we're the best!..."
In the broadest of contexts, most people who practice the Yip Man
style of Wing Chun (the most widely spread and often encountered
branch) often project that;
"Only Yip Man got true Wing Chun..."
"If Yip Man didn't do (insert form/technique/etc.) it wasn't
worthwhile..."
"Yip Man beat all the other Wing Chun people of his time..."
"Everyone else learned Wing Chun from Yip Man..."
"We're the best!..."
Conversely, people who practice the other, lessor known branches,
usually hold that
"Only we got true Wing Chun..."
"Yip Man didn't learn (insert form/technique/etc.) and we have it..."
"Our ancestors beat Yip Man..."
"Our ancestors taught Yip Man..."
"We're the best!..."
The same holds true within branches. In the Yip Man style alone,
there
are many, many claims of
"I'm the new grandmaster/true succesor..."
"I'm the best fighter..."
"I'm the only one who learnt the true style..."
"I'm the only one who teaches the true style..."
"I'm the best!...".
The same occurs in the Pan Nam, Yuen Kay-San, and other branches, of
course, although far fewer people are involved.
At times, these feelings flare publicly, such as the Hong Kong
V.T.A.A. (Ving Tsun Athletic Association) vs. William Cheung letters;
the V.T.A.A. vs. Leung Ting letters; the William Cheung vs. Leung
Ting
altercations in New York, Germany, and last year, New York again; and
the recent Yip Chun vs. Leung Ting feud in the Hong Kong media. Many
other older generation practitioners, although keeping their opinions
out of the public eye, are more then happy to share biting commentary
on their peers in more personal settings (and yes, the head of your
lineage does this to!).
Perhaps this is human nature, perhaps martial nature, perhaps even
something in the nature of Wing Chun Kuen practitioners. Other
martial
arts, although having several branches and prominent instructors,
manage to get along and work together (at least in public) to a much
greater degree then the Wing Chun family seems able.
Why can't Wing Chun Kuen practitioners get along? In the end, it
seems
often to come back to the heads of the various lineages propagating
"I'm the best...".
One has to wonder, then, "the best" at what? The best fighter? People
with no Wing Chun training at all can fight. The best preserver of
the
"true" method? We aren't machines and no one can replicate their
teacher exactly. At best we can remember what they did, filtered
through our own experiences and points of view. The best teacher?
Different students respond to different teaching methods. No one
method is best for everybody.
If the older generation can't seem to get along and all think they
are
"the best", where does it leave the younger generation?
Unfortunately,
many seem to adopt a "sifu says, so it must be true" attitude. In
fact, well meaning, loyal, but unfortunately misguided students are
sometimes at the root of the recent flare-ups in Wing Chun Kuen
politics.
Personally, I've never found "the best". I've seen and researched
many
branches of Wing Chun and spoken with many practitioners (both
teachers and students), and many have been outstanding, but each is
but one facet of the Wing Chun gem. Every branch has something to
offer. Some preserve older aspects of the art, some include brilliant
innovations. Some have maintained detailed records of legends and
histories, others have accumulated deep insights into principles and
concepts. Still others have developed great experience in practical
usage.
We are fortunate to have such a wealth of knowledge available too us,
regardless of which specific branch we choose to practice. In the
end,
we benefit and grow strong from them all.
Unfortunately, it may be too late for the older generation to put
aside their differences. In all likelihood, it is up to the younger
generation. With the many books, videos, and other information
becoming available, and with the Internet bringing practitioners from
around the world together, the ability to work together, gain
understanding from each other, and present a strong Wing Chun family
to the world has never been better.
As to "I'm the best!...", when I hear it I think back to my own
teacher's words, "maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, you have to go
out
and see for yourself". It also brings to mind the famed saying of Yip
Man sifu, "Maybe I'm tricking you. Go out and test it!
About the Author
René Ritchie was first exposed to the martial arts with Judo in 1980.
Over the years, he was also exposed to Wushu (Longfist, Bagua, etc.)
and other arts. He began studying the Sum Nung system of Wing Chun
Kuen under the guidance of Ngo Lui-Kay in 1990. Author of Yuen Kay-
San
Wing Chun Kuen: History & Foundation, co-author of Complete Wing
Chun:
The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun's History & Traditions, and writer
of many articles for Inside Kung-Fu, Martial Arts Legends, Martial
Arts Masters, and Wing Chun Today, he is also creator and publisher
of
the Internet WingChunKuen.Com website and co-administrator of the
Internet Wing Chun Mailing List. He works and practices in Eastern
Canada.