¬¬Bai Shi Ceremony
1. Shifu Kevin’s speech regarding Bai Shi and family connections.

A Bai Shi is an ancient Chinese ceremony steeped in Tradition, Honour and Respect. It involves passing on a legacy from one generation to the next, where a Master invites a student or students to “enter the door” and become disciples. The result of the Bai Shi is a formal recognition of the continuing lineage of the style/school and the “adoption” of the student into the Master’s family. The Master (or Shifu) will take on a fatherly role, while the students’ classmates are “brothers and sisters”. These martial family roles are considered to be just as close as the ties of your actual blood relatives.
The character for “Bai” symbolises two hands held down together. This is the pose adopted by Chinese when showing respect to a superior in status such as a teacher. We know that in Mandarin “Shi Fu 师傅” is the formal term of address for an instructor of the Chinese martial arts roughly meaning teacher/master figure. For a Master/disciple relationship there is a slightly different “Shi Fu 师父” which translates to Master/Father. There is a saying in Chinese that in order for the transfer of knowledge to occur, there needs to be a strong commitment displayed by the student who seeks knowledge and a strong commitment from the teacher to pass on the knowledge. The Bai Shi ceremony is a sacred practice that binds these commitments; it provides an intangible force uniting the teacher and the student.
A disciple (tú dì, 徒弟 ) must prove their dedication and loyalty, usually over a period of several years as well as possess a solid understanding of the martial code. This code (Wu De 武 德) is a general guideline of virtues specifically for the martial artist. It is the most common method for judging a student’s suitability for discipleship – even more important than one’s skill or ability. These virtues are generally broken into two categories – Virtues of Mind, and Virtues of Deed.

Why the emphasis on these aspects? A teacher of martial arts instructs a student, amongst other things, in ways of damaging, and possibly killing, another human being. Therefore, a teacher must carefully select a student who will not abuse these teachings. Martial techniques are designed to better oneself, and if need be, used as self-defence. It would be unethical to teach an immoral person how to use his skills to take another’s life, or to teach techniques to a thug that would give him more power and ability to hurt his victims.
Bai Shi ceremonies are usually private affairs, closed to the general public. Only relatives, close friends, and important martial associates are invited to witness. The Tu Di’s older brothers would be in attendance, as well as the Shifu’s family.

2. ShiFu Jason’s speech regarding purpose of taking on disciple.
For a long time now, one of my main life goals has been to leave this earth having made a difference in the lives of others. Martial arts has been a massive influence on my life, becoming my livelihood, my purpose in life and having saved my life several times over both physically and mentally. I have always dreamt of helping others as it helped me. Teaching martial arts has given me that opportunity many many times over and I am truly thankful for that. I intend to continue to make a difference for a long time yet however in order to extend my influence and the positive aspects of Kung Fu to future generations, I want to have others continuing to teach and inspire as I have done after I am gone. Should something unforeseen ever happen to me, I would like to have a legacy ready to enact and carry on with clarity. It took me over 20 years to reach a point where I was confident enough with my level of experience to take on this role of Mentor. Almost ten years ago, I took on my first tu di, Shi Xiong Vince. And while he had to leave the country under unfortunate circumstances, I am grateful that he is able to be here today to share this extension to our family.
Having experienced being forsaken myself in the past, I wanted to be absolutely sure I’m in a position to do this role of mentor justice and fulfil the expectations of us both. After several years of upheaval and circumstances, I feel that Brisbane Kung Fu and I are at a point of stability and strength and ready to pursue growth and expansion. As my Tu Di, Christian will be instrumental in assisting me with that. Like any business, if you fill your time doing the day-to-day tasks, you don’t get the opportunity to develop and chase dreams. Having someone to take on extra responsibilities, bounce ideas off, work on new material with, help with teaching, and much more gives us that chance.
In the Chinese calendar we are approaching the end of the Year of the Tiger, and the tiger embodies resilience and strength. Having had to deal with Covid, lockdowns, floods, losing our venues and starting to rebuild Brisbane Kung Fu almost from scratch has certainly required both resilience and strength. And like the Shaolin monks and temples of our past, we too will evolve and adapt to our current times and needs.
Christian has been with our school now for six and a half years, first with the kids’ class under Shifu Richard, and now is the leading ranked student in the seniors’ class. He has transformed from a somewhat meek youngster into a confident well liked young man that I am proud of. No doubt his family is proud of him too and I commend them in raising such an outstanding high achieving individual. Christian is certainly respected by all his classmates and when I ran the idea of his discipleship past the committee and instructors it was collectively acknowledged as a great and deserving action. Christian has displayed all the virtues mentioned above – in particular good character, reliability, enthusiasm, compassion, respect, perseverance and humility. He also has an interest in pursuing teaching and in helping others and these combined characteristics will make him an outstanding Shifu in the future.

3. Christian states his purpose in applying for the discipleship.
It is difficult to truly encapsulate how prodigious the opportunity of a discipleship to you is to me. It signifies an amalgam of individually grand and worthy roles and virtues and to be able to take part in it is an honour beyond words. In the way I see it, becoming a disciple has two overarching tenets, my dedication to you, and yours to me. However, these two tenets are not nearly as black-and-white as they sound, because they are in a constant cycle of enaction and reinforcement. As one happens, the other occurs, strengthening each other over time. It is my hope and aspiration that my becoming your disciple only strengthens this relationship we already have by giving it the opportunity and potential to grow further. Of course, all this is to an extraordinary benefit because I find our relationship to be tantamount to the best that there can be. I have learnt tremendously, been inspired, and pushed to my absolute best by you, and it is my hope that I can have even half of a similar effect as to that you had on me, as your Tu Di. I am ready to take on the challenge that is incumbent with this opportunity and look forward to being able to flourish not only because of, but with, you.

4. Shifu Kevin lights candles and states “These candles symbolise the ongoing illumination of our skills and knowledge.”

5. Shifu Kevin lights 3 sticks of incense put them into incense pot and states “Just as these sticks of incense are planted, so too are we planting seedlings here today. A new lineage sprouting forth, growing and thriving.”

6. Shifu Kevin states “Now activate the light of the Sun and Moon”. (Christian salutes Shifu Kevin, the altar, and Shifu Jason). Shifus respond. Christian sits.

7. Shifu Kevin moves sticks one at a time to his right hand and states “These are representative of heaven/universe, our parents, and our martial ancestors. (Clasp together in palms and facing altar) From this point forward may our whole martial family be united in harmony. Forever protected is our heritage.”

8. Shifu Kevin passes incense to Shifu Jason. Shifu Jason kneels 3 times koutouing 3 times each. On second set, Shifu Kevin states “Shifu Jason is performing the rite of kneeling and reverence to his martial forefathers.”

9. Christian reads out Wu Te – the oath to which he is expected to uphold.
• I agree to respect the traditions and regulations of Brisbane Kung Fu.
• I agree to respect the schools’ Shifus.
• I agree to respect my martial family.
• I agree to respect and revere my parents and family.
• I agree to respect and revere nature and spirituality.
• I agree to defend my martial family from those who would attack, oppress or falsely imprison them.
• I agree to offer aid to my martial family if within my power to do so.
• I agree to not use my skills illegally or to harm others.
• I agree not to teach dangerous techniques outside of the school.
• I agree to pass on the knowledge to future generations to those deemed worthy.

10. Shifu Kevin hands tea to Shifu Jason to give to Christian. Drinks – hands back. States “Consumption of the tea by Tu Di Christian symbolizes his loyalty and his promise to preserve the knowledge of the kung fu family and the system.”

11. Shifu Kevin hands tea to Christian to give to Shifu Jason. Drinks – hands back. States “Consumption of the tea by Shifu Jason symbolizes the acceptance of Tu Di Christian into the kung fu family.”
12. Shifu Kevin asks “Christian to perform the rite of kneeling and reverence.” Christian kou tous 3 times to the altar, 3 times to his ‘martial siblings’ then 3 times to Shifu Jason. Christian then offers red packet (Hong Bao) to Shifu Jason. Shifu Jason accepts, helps him to his feet and hands Christian his gift/s.
13. Celebrate