Sometimes I wonder if I practice because it was imprinted on me. Both my grandmothers took me to Chinese movies when I was a boy. Some were simply films of Chinese operas (one opera genre features warriors and acrobatics). Others were historical films about past dynasties or significant wars. I can remember the warriors with their halberds, spears, double swords, or melon-shaped maces. One summer, I tried to draw pictures of every weapon I had seen (there are more than 100). One of the most terrifying scenes was of a bearded emperor on a snow-white horse, leading his troops even though he was dying. Blood ran from beneath his robes onto his horse’s flank. I was horrified. But the message was instantly engraved into me: you keep your duty even if you have to die.
This is what we were taught in Chinese school, in church, by relatives, and in stories. Ethics, morality, and duty are paramount. Righteousness is to be upheld by every person. If the cause is right, but the world is against you, then you go down fighting.
We were all poor. We were taught that you sacrifice everything, you never abandon your family, and you never let cowardice undo you. Even if the sight of blood running down a white horse scares you witless.
Chinese culture has always held that being a good person can be achieved by self-cultivation. This is part of a deep cultural outlook. Here are some examples:
• Confucius taught: “Cultivate yourself with respect.” (Analects, “Xiàn Wèn,” 42) In addition: “Cultivate yourself to bring peace to all the people.” (Analects, “Xiàn Wèn,” 42)
• Mencius, considered second only to Confucius, wrote: “Those who did not realize their wishes, cultivated themselves and became illustrious in the world.” (Mèngzǐ, “Jìnxīn I,” 9.3)
• The Classic of History reads: “Teaching is half of learning; when thoughts from first to last are on learning the classics, virtue and cultivation become inherent.” (Shūjīng, “Yúshū III,” 8)
• The Yìjīng urges: “The noble person is fearful and apprehensive in cultivating and examining (themselves).” (Yìjīng, Hexagram 51)
As part of that, a person raised in traditional Chinese culture wants a master. That person is the mentor who opens the door to rare knowledge. They become like a parent, and it’s a great honor to inherit their legacy. Nowadays, that attitude has changed as teachers are found primarily in storefront studios. But at least in terms of my background, you can’t succeed without a master. They’re the one who exemplify the ideal and who shows you how to cultivate yourself to achieve those ideals.
I don’t just mean that martial arts gives you the techniques, speed, and strength to fight. I mean that it gives the discipline to train daily. If you have the iron will to practice, then you have the will to make any sacrifice. That’s cultural. And that’s for the sake of the future.