Inside Chayon-Ryu: Certificates and Licenses-an address from Grandmaster Kim Soo

Certificates and Licenses-An address from Grandmaster Kim Soo
submitted by David Bayles

Dear Chayon Ryu Students,
In order to get a driver license you have to pass a written and driving test and you will be issued a license. To get a college degree, a PhD, become a lawyer, a teacher, a doctor or any other number of professions, you have to be smart, study hard, attend classes for many years and take many tests. Provided that you pass your tests and prove that you know the requirements of your chosen profession, you will be presented with your diploma.
Earning a Chayon Ryu Rank Certificate or obtaining an Instructors License is the same -- with exceptions. Unlike Chayon Ryu’s teachers and other credible martial arts teachers, educational institutions, the Department of Motor Vehicles and other teaching entities do not discriminate based on character. You could be crazy, a murderer, a thief, a liar, a highly unethical person of poor character and still receive your driver license and your diploma.

Serial Killer Ted Bundy.

Serial killer Ted Bundy had a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Bernie Madoff was a highly intelligent, degreed businessman who pulled off the largest financial fraud in U.S. history.

A high level Rank Certificate or Instructors License must be earned from a reputable teacher. The student must not only know the requirements of their rank and physically be able to perform the techniques, but must also have the proper attitude, patience and be mentally ready to take on the responsibility of their rank.
Over the years that you train with your instructors, trust will be earned. They will determine if you are an ethical, sound, sincere person of good character.

They will also know when you are ready to learn new material and advance to a higher rank. Only then will you advance and receive your Certificates. To impatiently press to move forward is disrespectful and demonstrates a poor attitude.

This method of teaching and promotion is used by legitimate, credible, reputable, martial arts teachers. Unfortunately, now, there are many schools who rapidly promote students simply because they can physically perform the requirements of their rank even though they are not mentally, ethically or spiritually ready. This is a great disservice to the student for the monetary gain and false prestige of the school.

Some Certificates are issued simply by filling out a request form and paying a fee! Anyone can obtain these false Certificates which are often issued by someone with no martial arts experience, and no questions asked like “Who is your Teacher?” or “Where have you trained?” Anyone with any credibility will at least ask these questions.

In your daily life, train, have an open mind, be humble, practice patience, practice Bo Shi, be sincere and truthful and you will be on your way to developing the character and mindfulness to truly advance in Martial Arts.