DISCIPLESHIP
A disciple of Ging Mo Academy is a person who is committed to the legacy of the Academy
and to the arts that are taught and practised.
and to the arts that are taught and practised.
A disciple typically has a closer relationship with the Master, stands for the philosophies shared, is supportive of it's people,
actively cares for the well-being of the community and supports the promotion of the arts taught.
actively cares for the well-being of the community and supports the promotion of the arts taught.
All requests to be a disciple of GMA under the direct mentorship of Si Fu Gawain Siu are welcome.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CEREMONY
The Receiving of a Disciple - BY SI YEE SIK
One of the most important features of rituals is that they do not only mark time; they create time. By defining beginnings and ends to developmental or social phases, rituals structure our social worlds and how we understand time, relationships, and change.
Here are a few of the ancient Chinese rituals that were important to all members of ancient Chinese society.
- The Worship of Earth. ...
- The Worship of Heavenly Bodies. ...
- Ancestor Worship. ...
- Five Sacrifice Offerings. ...
- The Birth Ritual. ...
- The Coming of Age Ritual. ...
- Funeral Ritual. ...
A ritual refers to group of actions performed for their symbolic value. On the other hand, a ceremony is performed on a special occasion. It reflects our beliefs, hopes, traditions, culture and spirituality. A ceremony can help to show people they are united and that they belong. They can motivate us, stimulate our emotions and prompt memories. The positive effects of a Ceremony are universal across civilisations and are inclusive of all people, gender, age and cultures.
It can be said that the act of joining a Martial Arts school, under going the traditions, learning the language, performing the kung fu salute, wearing the traditional uniform and referring to others and the receiving of a title all form a person's own ritual.
One of the most commonly repeated ceremonies within martial arts schools is the receiving of a disciple.
In the Ging Mo Academy, this is known as the Receiving of Disciples tea ceremony traditionally known in Cantonese as the By Si Yee Sik.
The purpose of the tea ceremony is to create or in some cases acknowledge the special bond between the master and disciple. The earliest written record of tea ceremonies emerge during the Tang Dynasty over 1200 years ago (618-907). It was initially called cha dao (茶道) or the way of tea.
LIVE and ZOOM
Disciples from all around Australia are invited to participate and contribute to the live ceremony.
THE TEA CEREMONY
THE SETTING
The host (Si Fu) and all current disciples and students who are becoming disciples are seated in a circle (By Si Yee Sik Circle) facing inwards towards the centre. A computer monitor will take a place in the circle also facing inwards. In the centre is a round table covered with a red table cloth containing the tea ceremony equipment. Each participant brings their own tea cup for the ceremony.
Chinese tea, tea pots and hot water urn is required.
The ceremony has serval categories of participant namely:
1. Existing / renewing resident disciples (senior disciples)
2. Existing / renewing non resident disciples (senior disciples attending remotely)
3. Students becoming disciples
4. Witnesses to the ceremony (family and friends invited by disciples and students)
INVITING THE WITNESS
The host will invite all witnesses to join the ceremony by sitting in chairs surrounding the By Si Yee Sik circle, forming layers around the BSYS circle. Witnesses are also invited to share tea.
COMMENCMENT
The host, commences the ceremony by offering the Ging Mo kung fu salute, all participants reciprocate with the Ging Mo kung fu salute marking their presence.
Meaning of the Ging Mo kung fu salute, right fist represents war, left palm, peace. the two come together representing, Respect and Harmony.
The host leads by asking all with: How are you feeling today?
The host begins by offering a salute to all then sharing their reflection first.
Each participant volunteers to share their reflection marking this with a salute before and after their sharing.
After all have completed, the host will then make a statement (allowing 2 minutes).
A representative from the first 3 categories will then summarise and represent all with their collaborative statement. (allowing 2 minutes for each representative)
After all have shared, the host will invite other participants who wish to share.
POURING TEA
The representatives pour the tea for all senior disciples, students and witnesses and offers tea firstly to Si Fu, Si Mo and senior disciples.
Si Fu makes a statement and invites all to drink tea.
The drinking of tea marks the moment when the students are officially disciples of Ging Mo Academy under the direct mentorship of Si Fu. From this moment newly received female disciples receive a title before their name as Si Jare (see jair) and male disciples, Si Hing (see hing). Si Jare and Si Hing refer to Sister in learning and Brother in learning, the traditional title given within Ging Mo Academy and other traditional Chinese Martial Arts schools.
Si Fu will then invite all disciples, senior disciples to share stories freely as tea is served and appreciated.
BE A PART OF THE LEGACY
Being a Disciple
A disciple of Ging Mo Academy is a person who is committed to the legacy of the Academy and the arts that are taught and practised.
