“PITY is the master who could not be surpassed by his student.” A remarkable quote from the great Leonardo DaVinci which struck me and readily made me relate it to martial arts.

It tells profoundly what makes a great sensei (teacher). The students of the master reflects his greatness, perhaps his greatest legacy would be a student who believes in him and is willing to continue what he left to be carried on.

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Stepping up to continue what is left to be carried on is not an easy task, the fortitude needed should not be ordinary, it would be following the same path which was taken by a master who posts great challenges that would test one’s stability as a martial artist. The willingness to undergo such challenge is the very first act of decisional gratitude a student makes for his master and for the art.

Few of the martial arts students see this chain of responsibility. Perhaps of the vague intention of involvement in martial arts. But in many ways than one, living the life of a martial artist does not really mean putting up a “dojo” (martial arts school) and start to teach.

Rather, the deeper essence of it is sharing the martial arts as a way of life and sharing the way of life that is martial arts.

In allowing people to follow different kinds of principles to guide one’s existence and be a just and proper human being, martial arts offers such principles which people could live by, this principles is being passed by masters from generation to generation. He does this in the hope it would be a guiding path which would take anyone to his destination.

Under the master-student system which carries these principles, the chain should go on and on and continue to influence the lives of people.

This was the foresight of the first masters of martial arts. They were concerned of who will carry on the task for them and so they assessed their students’ potentials of living the life they have lived.

The martial arts world today is flocked by so-called martial artists who are blinded by the uniform they wear or the techniques they teach, minus the principles which really matters.

Still, there are still genuine martial artists who are living up to the masters’ expectations and continue to pursue the way of the martial arts.

Remembering the late Shihans’ works might inspire martial artists of today. May their eyes be opened to the works and challenges which these masters have undergone in order influence the martial artists of today start their own quests for self-fulfillment and character perfection. This in turn would influence the next generation to do the same.

It would be an unending as a circle with enhancements after every cycle, an evolution to perfection.

Shihans’ Cup Karate Championship will be held this November 8 at the Philippine Military Academy sports complex. Everybody is invited to come and watch as the karatekas from various clubs showcase their talents in honor of the Shihans. Admission is free.