Over the years, people have questioned bowing. They see students bowing as they enter the Dojo. People bow before stepping onto the training floor. Before class starts, we come to attention and bow to pay respect to God. We bow to each other before working with a partner. All of this bowing? Are they worshiping? No. Paying respect by bowing is a Japanese custom.
Bowing is to show respect, not worship
Understanding that cultures have their way of doing things, one should show respect for that way.
At the end of class we bow to God. We do not bow to anyone else after that. We teach our instructors to follow that same process. So, begin by bowing to God. We end by bowing to God. We help to teach Circumstance and Purpose each time an action is taken. This helps to set in the mind what is being done.
During class we may bow to each other before engaging . The idea is: I’m showing you respect. Thank you for the use of your body to practice. I will take care of you. Here is my body. Please take care of me. Again, showing respect and setting the mind for what we are about to do. There is no worship of the individual.
As God is, or should be, in everyone, this may also be a way to acknowledge respect is warranted. Only those who display high character and goodness should be shown the respect of the bow. (If you don’t have this character and goodness, perhaps one needs to work to get it.) This character and goodness is God showing in that individual. If they do not display those traits, or trying to work on them, they are not welcome at this Dojo.
Respect is Mutual
The practice for this school is borrowed from the Japanese culture; the proper use of and purpose behind the bow is to show respect. The teachers must bow to the students and the students to the teachers. It is mutual. We however, do not “require” God to bow to us. Of course that would be absurd.
Hopefully you are able to resolve the issue. I believe it to be a state of mind: respect versus worship. Try to show respect to everyone. We ONLY worship God. The hope is that you do too, in whatever way you choose to.
Almonte Covington