Within The Context Of The Martial Arts

[sensei8]

No matter the practitioners style(s), believes, methodologies, ideologies, rank, title, knowledge, experience, background, and/or lineage; everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

Yes, respect must be earned without any ambiguity. But way to often, we assume the roles of judge, jury, and executioner quite prematurely before all of the facts have been weighed.

The totality of a MAists isn't, and shouldn't be, the same across the board because we're INDIVIDUALS born without the context of a MAist; therefore we must first learn, and the learning curve varies from MAist to MAist.

Respect must be the same! What respect is shown to a 10th Dan must be also shown to a 10th Kyu. Why? We're MAists, however, we're humans first.

Before a practitioner became an all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips in the MA, they were/are humans first!!

Your thoughts!!

[Lupin1]

Everyone deserves to be treated with a certain level of respect. Period. In all contexts of life. Treating others with disrespect is the quickest way for you to lose my respect.

A deeper level of respect has to be earned, but a 10th kyu can earn deep respect from me just as easily as a 10th dan. I respect people for the character and their work ethic. Skills and experience are good, but I don't usually respect people just because they're the best at something. I'll respect them because they work hard, treat everyone else with respect, have an outstanding attitude, etc. Those traits can apply to anyone regardless of rank.

[lowereastside]

Very well said - Sensei8 -

[Harkon72]

Martial arts with no respect is not just ugly it's dangerous. We bow for a reason; we show respect not just for the person, but the soul of that individual in Karatedo. Many take the path, few keep to it. Some show no respect to those below them. Others fear those above them in the ladder. I personally fear myself more than my Sensei, I know my inner depths; I cannot know the heart of my Sensei but I respect his teaching and experience. The lowest grade in our club receive attention and fair play. The higher grades lead by example. "Student of the Night" is chosen at random by their peers in the children's class, I joined them to teach Kata tonight and stood in line with them. I won "Student of the Night" for the first time! The little Kohai thought it was hilarious. I bow to the same angle with an 8th Kyu as I do to a 4th Dan. We are family, brothers and sisters together.

[bushido_man96]

Respect is important for any social activity, including the Martial Arts. Respect is strengthened over time, and through our experiences. I also agree that respect goes up and down the ladder, and I also understand that there will come a time when one won't respect another for various reasons. Its just the way we as people are. And the staunchest rivals usually have the deepest respect for each other.

[kensei]

when you first meet someone you treat them with a specific level of assumed respect....no one deserves to be disrespected with out cause. However, once you get to know the person the level of respect they continue to get will depend on their actions.

For instance you meet a martial arts instructor for the first time at a class. you show your due respect and they should in theory show it back. Howver during the class the instructor is sexist and hits on his female students, beats on his male students and acts poorly in general...well your level of respect for him will lower. On the other hand, if he delivers a respectful and skilled class and you get a great deal out of it, he shows his male and female students great respect...you find out he has ties to the community and does good deeds on the week ends, your level of respect for him may grow.

Respect grows and shrinks the more we learn about people.

Respect is also one of those things that you can not demand, you have to earn and giving respect earns you more respect...or should. If you demand respect you dont get it...you may get fear however, which people wiht huge egos mistake for respect.