Bowing: To What/Whom?

[Dobbersky]

For any style of the Martial Arts that utilizes the practice of bowing, it's a vital part of any training/learning session/class. This is whom this topic/thread is aimed at, and not to the styles of the Martial Arts that don't practice bowing.

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Kohai's bow to Sempais and Sempais bow to Sensei's and Sensei's bow to Chief Instructors and Chief Instructors bow to Kancho and Kancho bows to Kaicho and Kaicho bows to a Soke type...AND everyone bows to each other as a sign of respect and/or because it's just what one does.

I believe, correct me if I am wrong that there are "levels" of bowing, the Junior level should ALWAYS bow lower than the more senior level, to the fact that a Kaicho/Kancho/Soke (to me these are of the same level they are all head of the style/organisation) would just give a 'nod' of the head.

[bushido_man96]

This might be off topic, and I hope it doesn't violate TOS, but I was wondering what you all thought.

I have a friend who has been doing karate for many years now. When he first joined, he was concerned about his Christian faith and bowing. It's been a while since we talked about this, but I believe his concern was about bowing being a form of worship. Idolatry? I think he specifically mentioned bowing to photos, shrines or ancestors, or when entering the dojo as being a problem. I don't remember exactly.

For some people, I suppose there is a spiritual component to martial arts that could contradict their faiths, but I told my friend that for many, bowing is like saluting. People, generally, have no problem with members of the military saluting each other or people saluting the flag or pledging allegiance to it.

I never asked him how he finally worked it out, but he's still in karate seven or eight years later.

Have any of you had similar issues with bowing?

When I get asked these questions, I just explain that it isn't anything spiritual, but has more to do with the cultural roots of the style in the far East. I explain that bowing isn't much different than shaking hands in the West.

[myataschool]

For any style of the Martial Arts that utilizes the practice of bowing, it's a vital part of any training/learning session/class. This is whom this topic/thread is aimed at, and not to the styles of the Martial Arts that don't practice bowing.

We bow in the beginning of class. We bow at the end of the class. We bow to our seniors. We bow at the beginning of Kata/Kumite. We bow at the end of Kata/Kumite. We bow at the beginning of drills. We bow at the end of drills. We bow to judges. We bow to our Sensei/Chief Instructor. We bow often during a testing cycle. We bow often during ceremonies. We bow in our getting ups and in our sitting downs.

What are we bowing to?

Who are we bowing to?

Are we bowing to the person?

 

Are we bowing to the rank?

Are we bowing to an object?

I bow to the rank WHENEVER it's called for!! I bow to the person WHENEVER it's called for!! Depending on the context as well as the content of the moment; that's what/who I bow to.

I don't have to like and/or respect the practitioner, but I will respect, and I do respect the rank...providing the context/content of the moment!!

Kohai's bow to Sempais and Sempais bow to Sensei's and Sensei's bow to Chief Instructors and Chief Instructors bow to Kancho and Kancho bows to Kaicho and Kaicho bows to a Soke type...AND everyone bows to each other as a sign of respect and/or because it's just what one does.

In Taekwondo, bowing is a sign of respect.

As with saluting, the junior usually bows to the senior rank, and the senior rank will bow back. Within our organization, the bow is often followed by a handshake when it's between individuals. Is this the same with other Asian styles?

[SaiFightsMS]

As part of rei in ceremony we would bow to the front of the room then Sensei. Now after training in a grungy basement and then moving to a better location the rei to the front of the room became a heartfelt - thanks I am glad I have a good place to train in.

I think many also find the longer they train the more impact training has on every day life. The respect for rank, position, title the more we begin to respect more and more in daily life. We begin to respect our family, fellow workers, fellow students, friends/acquaintances more. The simple bow we struggled with in the beginning is a tool that gradually ingratiates values into our life we may not have been aware of before or forgotten about.

[bushido_man96]

I think what needs to be kept in perspective is that bowing is just a cultural aspect of the east in showing respect; not unlike a handshake. That's how I look at it and explain it, and try to ease the minds of those who question it.

[sensei8]

To my opening questions:

Are there wrong answers?

Are there right answers?

Are there only wrong answers?

Are there only right answers?

Preference?

Dictated?

Ordered?

Prohibited?

Ego-driven?

[bobo]

years ago when I was more ignorant I tried an aikido dojo briefly, and I didn't like the bowing to the shrine so I kind of traded some sarcastic remarks with the owners (they weren't the friendliest people anyway) , and was told not to come back... But now I would have no problem bowing to whatever, and I do in the martial art I practice now. (not aikido). I am also spiritual ,& non-religious. and alot more open-minded.

Anyway, I think it's more a lack of understanding eastern traditions.