When training with Lama Padma Yon Ton Gyatso, he rarely spoke. One of the first things he said was that to be a good martial artist, you needed three things: First was a lineage: an example others have set, like a well-marked path. Second was aptitude: time and willingness to practice as well as ability. Third was diligence. If one of the first two are lacking, diligence can make up for it.
As early as 2700 BCE, the twelve branches were used to measure time and progress. They correspond to the circle of hours, months, and years. Each branch also corresponds to an acupuncture meridian and a zodiac sign.
In our curriculum, we have twelve colored belt levels. Each level has six parts. They are knowledge, pattern, technique, application, self-defense, and interaction requirements.
1. The knowledge requirement is designed to guide students’ practice.
2. The pattern is a traditional set of exercises designed to promote mental and physical well-being.
3. The technique requirement focuses on defining specific skills helpful to the students’ safety and progress. It is important to practice these techniques on both sides.
4. The application requirement helps students understand how the techniques work.
5. The self-defense (ho sin sool) requirement develops the students’ awareness of boundaries and ability to deal with conflict in a healthy way.
6. The interaction requirement is designed to use martial arts as a means of communication, giving and receiving techniques with the appropriate level of force.
These six requirements work together like a spiral staircase. If any step is left out, the students end up back at the beginning. When used together, the requirements bring them up to the next level.