Note: Originally posted in a previous AWCA Weblog: Saturday, March 11, 2006
Some of the email responses to a previous post asked for more information about what I meant concerning “traditional” and “modified” (this stemmed mostly from those stating to be training in a “traditional” lineage).
We have all heard how Wing Chun/ Ving Tsun/ Wing Tsun came to be by way of Ng Mui, the 5 elders, etc. And there are also a few other stories, such as one claiming that the art actually originated at Shaolin (Siu-Lam).
But when it comes right down to it, all of these are still legends. Nothing has been shown (at least, so far) as clear-cut, unequivocal evidence as to Wing Chun’s true origination. Therefore, clinging to these stories as the “gospel truth” and not being open-minded enough to accept that maybe, just maybe, something else is possible, is somewhat self-defeating.
Why? Because it creates a closed mind that cannot or will not grow.
There are some in the world that claim that they, and only they, are the true grandmasters or rightful heirs to a particular lineage. Maybe that is true, maybe it is not. Who really knows for sure except them and those that came before them? However, there is no one person that is the grandmaster of the entire Wing Chun system itself. How can I make that claim? Because not everyone is of the same lineage.
For example, there are the Yip Man, Yuen Kay San, Pan Nam, and Pao Fa Lien Wing Chun lineages, just to name a few. There are lineages that have branched out all over the world, with their own predecessors and successors. So to say that someone is the one and only grandmaster of the entire Wing Chun system is, as you can guess, a false claim.
In my view, “traditional” and “modified” are somewhat one and the same. For example, very few will disagree that Wing Chun/ Ving Tsun as we know it today is the same as when it was created and developed. It took a few generations of practitioners to create what we have available in today’s schools, so now what? Are we all training in a “modified” version of what our ancestors created? Of course we are.
So where does “traditional” fit in?
To our ancestors, we are all training a “modified” version of what they created. And in my opinion, that is how it should be. We respond to the situations that continuously evolve, so if something needs to evolve with it, which would you rather cling to: something that can protect you? Or something that will get you knocked down, all for the sake of “tradition?”
When Wing Chun “came to be,” the methods were appropriate for the times. And even though a great deal is still viable in today’s martial arts world, naturally some things that were more prevalent then are not as appropriate for today’s society.
For example, where does Biu-Tze really fit in with the “common” scenario? How many of us have actually been in situations where we have truly had to fight for our lives? The possibility is certainly there, and will be for the existence of mankind.
But in general, is it really as common today as it may have been then? Some situations do in fact exist, but on the whole, most of us will agree that these situations are few and far between. While situations will always occur for some of us where we might find ourselves in that situation, it is safe to say that most of us probably will not.
I have been in these situations before, but they also came with my job at the time. And for the others, all but two of them I could have walked away from. Instead, I was a foolish, foolish person and stood my ground, wanting to test what I had learned in order to see for myself if my skills were “up to the challenge.”
Chalk it up to immaturity and irresponsibility, because taking chances like that are foolish, needless and completely irresponsible.
But over time, we learn, we mature, and we grow up in the art to become educated, mindful and respectful citizens in the communities we live in. We are charged with keeping the peace, not detracting from it.
Because of our skills, our ancestors charged us with protecting those around us vs. engaging in senseless acts. And where we need to start with that is from within our own groups. How can we truly take care of ourselves and our communities if we have a hard time even learning and growing with each other?
Our history is such that I have always wondered how far we would be right now if practitioners would embrace the varied lineages and families vs. the many claims we have all seen of one way being the “best” or only “legitimate” way. There are so many people in the world that thirst for training, yet have no idea what to do because of the inner squablings that still exist.
Does it really matter if something is traditional or modified? Absolutely not. Do you like how you train? Do you believe in what you do? If the answers are “yes,” then who cares what lineage it is from or who is teaching it? If it is working for you and you dig what you are doing, then go for it!
But in that, also embrace other lineages and learn as much as you can from everyone you can. You are definitely worth getting as much exposure to everyone as you can, are you not? You want to have well-rounded skills and become an educated, knowledgeable practitioner of Wing Chun/ Ving Tsun, continuing the tradition of passing on what you have learned to the next generations. Become the best you can be and forget all of the silly debates about what is traditional, modified, whether it is from Shaolin or whatever.
When you focus on what really matters - which is making your skill set the best it can be - then all of the other stuff does not matter… because when the hammer falls and now you have to use your skills for real, I guarantee that your opponent will care less that you are a student of such-and-such lineage or who your teacher is.
All you should really care about is learning your craft as well as you can with the time you have, and representing ALL of Wing Chun/ Ving Tsun/ Wing Tsun in brotherhood/sisterhood and peace. That is true familial caring, which is what our ancestors wanted us to display.
posted by AWCA @ 3/11/2006 11:18:00 AM
