EPAK vs. Wu Shen Pai

I'm old school, you either back it up or you shut up, and take off the rank you didn't earn with blood, sweat, bruises, and stitches.

DarK LorD[/QUOTE]

Right on. I responded to a post and stated that Juan knocked the snot outta me in technique line while visiting Mr. Tatum's school and was told that I got my "*** kicked" by someone else on this forum. Dark Kenpo Lord, you know the deal. Huk is old school as well. There IS NO other way to train.
 
Alright. I'm certainly among the first to say yes...if the guys a weasel, pop 'em. But the posts on this thread are starting to sound like so much schlong-swinging, and not much more than that.

Kenpo is supposed to have with it a general code of honor/conduct, none of which is represented in the spirit of doing things old school. Certainly, the early kenpo upper echelons were full of thugs and tough-guys, but we're supposed to be moving towards a balance between practicality (i.e., combat skills) and sophistication (social conduct as people of honor).

It is practical to spank the snot out of some yahoo who is out there misrepresenting; it is even more of an affront to the ego if that person was empowered or positioned to do so based on our actions (Clyde brought the guy in, then the guy used the associations made to front his own cause elsewhere, dissin' Clyde). However, is it sophisticated to respond this way? Yes, Parker had some things handled "traditionally", including having people who slighted him escorted from schools. But just because he did it, does that make it right? Particularly in modern social context?

I hate positively or negatively alter-casting groups, because there are inevitable contradictions. For example...keeping in mind the Japanese war atrocities in the Phillipines and China...

I think the traditional Japanese arts have a leg up on younger American arts like kenpo in the Philosophy & Honor Code department. There are some good points in an Honor Code piece I have. Here are some excerpts for all y'all's consideration:

1. Never engage in battles with weaker opponents; it diminishes the power of a man, and makes him appear a bully. Engaging weaker opponents is usually done to assuage ones ego. Unless a man possesses an iron mastery over his own ego, he may be motivated to engage in actions not consistent with his more thoughtful commitments.

2. Fight only honorable battles. This requires that one A) knows what is worth fighting for; B) Understands what is NOT worth fighting for; and C) Has enough mastery over Ego to never fight battles in defense of ones ego.

3. A humble life, dedicated to a great cause, becomes great. Live humbly, in service to the greater good of fellow men. Personal causes/vendettas are not great causes, and diminish the greatness of a man as he pursues them.

4. Be an example to children. The honorable man takes responsibility for the lives and futures of the children around him. He understands that the example he sets teaches children lessons that will either serve them, or weaken them.

There's more, obviously, but I think the idea is there. A life lived honorably doen't mean one leaves dirty laundry alone. Rather, DO take the dirty laundry out, clean it up, and put it away...just do it discretely.

This guys reactions with Clyde showing up on the doorstep show a couple of things. They show the guy is a coward, and not worthy of being titled a "man". They show he lacks the integrity to put up or shut up (I'm sure he didn't self-demote back to 5th after O'Briandt left town.). They show he is not honorable. And they show he felt some level of responsibility for being / remaining in the wrong with his actions, placing him out of integrity with the fraternal community of kenpo black belts he once belonged to. He has lost rapport with his peers. A real man, having lost that but still valuing it, will do what is necessary to open lines of communication, and get clear with the people questioning his intent, so he can get back in integrity with his peers. Having done none of this, he ain't a man. So let him wear the mantle of his shame, and let others move on with the business of providing quality kenpo training to the upcoming generations of tomorrows seniors.

My 4 cents...sorry for the rant.

Dave
 
We had a guy instructing out here in Maui that had his 3rd dan certificate signed by SGM Parker. He also sold videos of Mr. Parker and advertised them in Black Belt Magazine. Edmund Parker was here a few weeks ago for his daughter's wedding and apparently he wasn't to thrilled with this certain so called "Grandmaster of Yen Ching Tao". But these types of individuals are everywhere burning people who just don't know any better and think they are getting quality instruction. But anyhow, Edmund is a class act and an unbelieveable artist. The Protecting Fan lithograph is bitchen. Hell they all are cool. Anyway at least Clyde calls it like it is, weather you like it or not.
 
Since there is no required AK material beyond 5th black, some people get this false notion that they have learned all there is to know in the system. So they move on to things which really do nothing but inflate their ego - like "creating" or "founding" their own system.

Regardless of your rank and knowledge base, there is more than enough material in EPAK to work on and improve over the course of an entire lifetime.

Jamie Seabrook
http://www.seabrook.gotkenpo.com/
 
Dark Kenpo Lord said:
Just because I like this thread, I'd also like to see where it goes.


DarK LorD
Hi, It is interesting to note that when persons that have received a Black Belt Certificate are held to a certain level of honor, if they fail to toe the line they need to turn in there Certificate and go down the road they chose.

So what is the big deal you go there and request the certificate and that is that.

Hanshi Bruce give's out the certificates and he is the one who takes them back if necessary, sometimes it happens...

That is part of the job to keep your reputation and your schools honor where it should be.

Depending on your position you could argue both sides and present a good case either way.

Going public is certainly one way to make sure people hear the story.
Good for you Dark Lord...

Anyone want to say something for the other party????

Regards, Gary
 
GAB said:
Hi, It is interesting to note that when persons that have received a Black Belt Certificate are held to a certain level of honor, if they fail to tow the line they need to turn in their Certificate and go down the road they chose.

So what is the big deal you go there and request the certificate and that is that.

Hanshi Bruce give's out the certificates and he is the one who takes them back if necessary, sometimes it happens...

That is part of the job to keep your reputation and your school's honor where it should be.

Depending on your position you could argue both sides and present a good case either way.

Going public is certainly one way to make sure people hear the story.
Good for you Dark Lord...

Anyone want to say something for the other party????

Regards, Gary
Sometimes I wonder why I don't talk to you more LOL. As I've said in the past, it's up to us to police our own, to warn the general public of frauds, and in general, to maintain the honor and integrity of our chosen art.

DarK LorD

BTW, you probably won't be hearing anything for the other party, but I'd love to hear what they have to say to substantiate their claims.
 
I am from the old way of thinking with you have to be able to stand up for what you represent. And when you screw up admit it, take your lumps and get on with life.
 

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