What it means to be a Master

[Ripper]

I wholeheartedly disagree.

A sport is an activity, whereas a martial art is so much more.

The fact that you disagree is obvious. Now I can say; I disagree with you, but that doesn't bring us any further. I would like to know why you disagree.

You can also say that a MA is so much more; and I can say it's not. That doesn't bring us any further either. So; why is a MA so much more?

[TAZ]

Sorry, had to delete this one! Double post

Edited December 23, 2005 by TAZ

[TAZ]

From reading the most recent posts, it has become more and more clear to me that not everyone that studies martial arts necessarily does so to become a "better person". Not to say that martial arts main focus is just that. But I think that a majority of practitioners of the arts choose to or have chosen to study their particular art for reasons other than just to learn how to fight or protect one's self. For example: self discipline, self control, respect, honor, courage, etc. All of which would constitute someone becoming a "better person", which brings me back to the original post of "What does it mean to be a Master". After reading these posts, and pondering the original question, I have come to the conclusion that "mastering" these things: self discipline, self control, respect, honor, courage, etc. are by far more difficult than "mastering" any techniques, punches, blocks, or kicks, etc.

[Ripper]

But I think that a majority of practitioners of the arts choose to or have chosen to study their particular art for reasons other than just to learn how to fight or protect one's self. For example: self discipline, self control, respect, honor, courage, etc. All of which would constitute someone becoming a "better person"

I seriously doubt that. Most of us start off with martial art when we were quite young. A lot of people here seem to be still at (high) school. I guess a lot of us started because we saw the cool moves on tv, or because we wanted to be tough or be able to defend ourselves. Why did you start?

Self discipline, self control, respect, honor or courage is not something solely for martial arts. When you want to become good at soccer you need to have these things too. These things you probably can learn to a certain degree, but it also depends on who you are as a person. It is not something you get just by doing a martial art. There are many other factors involved.