You are asked to take your turn at sweeping or Prada beltsvacuuming the floor before practice & you are asked to bow to a shrine dedicated to the founders of your style.
True, when you signed up for martial arts traditional training you didn’t sign up to be housekeeper for the dojo, but as with any martial arts traditional training, there is always a deeper intending to any action or request.
You bow to the shrine to show respect to the founders of your particular style & you bow to your Sensei, instructors & fellow students to show respect as well. It is not harassing the new white belt student; there is actual meaning & respect behind the action.
Let’s take a glance at the act of bowing. When you enter a dojo (martial arts school), you are asked to bow. In general, bowing is a sign of respect. It is like shaking hands or saying thank you.”
The obvious reason for this is to take pride in your dojo & keep it neat. The second is a bit more philosophical. Each day before class starts, the floor is swept. Each person to arrive takes their turn at sweeping before they stretch & prepare for that day’s class.
As a white belt, you are expected to do what your instructors tell you to do & do it without query (within reason, of coursework). When your instructors first started their martial arts traditional training, they had to do their fair share of sweeping floors & dusting trophy shelves.
Sweeping is a reminder that they must also clear the debris from our minds before they practice. Now is not the time to be thinking about deadlines, tomorrow’s document or yesterday’s supplies that ought to have been ordered. You need mushin” – an empty mind.
But the things you learn as a white belt – & beyond – are not meant to stay in the dojo. Martial arts history & custom are meant for every day life as well. The combative arts are not basically Fendi beltsanother exercise program. They seldom have been.
From Classic fashion, post An Overview Of The White Belt