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Appropriate Addressing of My Teacher.
One
subject with numerous misunderstandings is how should we address our teachers. In
Chinese tradition the teacher is a figure of great importance. He is the person
responsible for leading the students in the right direction, into progress and
development. The teacher is cherished by his students, and the students in turn
are loved by their teacher. The relationship between the teacher and his
students is mutually caring and supporting. Over
the centuries the Chinese culture has developed to a great accomplishment,
mainly thank to the teacher-student relationship. In
our system �Chen Style Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan� we believe greatly in the
traditional teacher-student relationship of all its aspects. At an initial stage
the appropriate addressing of each other is the basis for farther development of
this deep and magnificent relationship. Following
I will describe the appropriate addressing of the teacher, when talking to him
directly or talking about him with a third party. In
North America learning from master Chen Zhonghua. *A
student, who is interested in studying from master Chen Zhonghua, however
hasn�t started yet his study, will call the teacher Mr. Chen. *A
student who has begun his study will call the teacher Master Chen. *A
student who is at an advanced level and/or is an authorized instructor or
assistant instructor
will call the teacher Chen Lao Shi. *A
student will call the teacher�s teacher Grandmaster Feng and Grandmaster Hong. *A
Disciple will call the teacher Shifu. *A
disciple will call the Shifu�s Shifu; Shigong (without the family name). *The
teacher calls his yet to become a student (hasn�t started yet) Mr. �Name�
if his age exceeds the teacher�s age. *The
teacher calls all his other students and disciples by their first name.
Without appropriate addressing the teacher-student relationship will find
many obstacles in its development. I would like to grasp on this opportunity to
encourage all my fellow students and Taiji Brothers/Sisters to learn the right
addressing for our teacher, so that our school can prosper as the Chinese
Culture has. If
you have any questions please email me at [email protected]
March
13th 2001, In New York Yaron
Seidman |