Discipleship

It is important that a reference be made at this time about the differences between the status of students and disciples. In traditional martial arts, a practitioner may fall in one of three categories. These categories are:

Disciple	A disciple is considered to be among the inner circle. These students are taught all the knowledge available in the system. It is not easy earn this status. Only a hand full among all the students a teacher may have in a lifetime are picked to become disciples. It is a highly regarded position but it is also a position with many responsibilities. A teacher picks these students, based on the evaluation of their character, to carry on the knowledge of the system to the next generation. These students will become teachers in their own right.
Student	These students are taught the basic foundation. No relevant concept or theory found in the basic concepts is held back. However, a few lucky ones will be taught with more insight on these concepts. These students will know enough to defend themselves and if they are smart enough, they may even derive some of the more advanced concepts in the system.
Outside Student	These are the transit students which will only receive the peripheral information on the basic concepts of the system. They are taught a few of the characteristic techniques of the system but will never receive the knowledge necessary to form the foundation. Examples of these type of students can be found in the 14 schools that came to challenge Great Grand Master Chang and were absorbed since they lost the challenge. These schools are related to the System but they are not considered to be at the core.

These categories are not followed as strictly in this day and age. However, an obvious distinction still exists in many systems between students and disciples and the reasons for doing so are still quite obvious today.