The Master Leads the Way

The adage “Shifu Ling Jin Men, Xiu Xing Kao Ge Ren (師父領進門，修行靠個人) – The Master leads you through the door, the practice is up to you,” is encountered when training in Chinese martial arts. But this adage is used in all arts and crafts to denote the relationship between teacher and student.

The origin of this saying derives from the novel Ba Da Ying Xiong (八大英雄) – Eight Great Heros. Some sources say that it comes from the Ying Xiong Da Ba Yi (英雄大八義) – The Eight Heroes of Righteousness. Both refer to a book written during the Qing Dynasty.

This phrase is often interpreted as a Shifu offering guidance and assistance but that the mastery of the skills is the responsibility of the individual student’s efforts and diligence in practice. This is a superficial interpretation.

In traditional Chinese martial arts, Jin Men (進門) – Entering the Door, has more profound meanings. Entering the Door implies that a student/disciple has earned the trust of the Master and is now able to partake in instruction that emphasizes the deeper skills and principles of the martial arts. Without going through the “door,” one would only be able to glimpse the intrinsic aspects, which are essential for broadening both knowledge and skill.

Only through this advanced and often secretive teaching was a student/disciple able to achieve true Gong Fu (功夫) – Skillful Endeavor.