"He was a troublemaker, always criticizing, censuring, slandering—and when it came to studying the Vedas, he was always late to class. He met a teacher who shared all he knew, giving each student exactly what they needed, in accordance with their perception of life, their family, their respect for others, and the trust they placed in him.
He remained by his side for many years, but one day, he began to undermine him and sow discord among the other students, telling them:
"He’s not a bad person, but he lacks originality and brilliance. He always repeats the same things, merely telling us what others told him. He’s mediocre, a pathetic man from whom nothing can be learned."
The master sent him a message. The loudmouth—as even his fellow students called him—accepted the invitation, somewhat disturbed by the tone, as the others had already tampered with the message’s content.
“Sit beside me,” said the master, while the slanderer bowed as if nothing had happened.
As they sat, the master offered him a cup of tea.
The student sipped it cautiously—once again with suspicion—and noticed it had a fetid, nauseating taste. He threw it to the ground and rebuked the master with disdain, saying:
“What did you just give me to drink?”
“Tea,” replied the master.
“That’s not tea. I’ve had tea for many years, and this is not tea. You’re deceiving me.”
With the calmness of experience, the master replied:
“Since I know you don’t like the way I was taught to prepare tea, and you prefer things to be genuine and original instead of traditional and repeated recipes, I made you a special tea—adding pepper, urine, and salt. A tea like the one I usually drink would have seemed mediocre to you, wouldn’t it? ”
"True wisdom is not found in shallow judgment, but in the ability to master the essential. In martial arts, progress does not lie in constant novelty, but in the mastery of what has already been learned, in the patience to repeat the fundamentals until perfection is achieved." Ricardo Sanz
Critical Reflection
In martial arts, the relationship between teacher and student is crucial—not only for technical development but also for personal growth. The learning journey demands patience, discipline, and above all, respect. However, the path toward mastery is not free of internal obstacles, and one of the most common is the trap of destructive criticism.
The story accompanying this reflection—by an unknown author—reminds me of a student who, in the beginning and despite his physical limitations, seemed to have great potential to grow and reach a high level. But over time, he strayed from his purpose and became a troublemaker, just like in the story. This once-promising student began to fall into constant criticism, questioning my teaching without any foundation. His attitude, comparing my lessons with what he considered more “original” or “brilliant,” led him away not only from my guidance but from the very essence of the martial path.
Over time, he became someone who would not only arrive late to training but also belittle the teachings among his peers. He accused me of a “lack of originality” and “mediocrity,” yet he himself completely lacked the physical ability, technical knowledge, and instructional competence to make such judgments. He had neither the pedagogical capacity nor a deep understanding of the art’s principles to evaluate my teachings, nor the physical qualities to objectively assess the training. His attitude did not contribute to his own learning and created a toxic environment for the rest of the students. Due to his lack of respect and destructive attitude, I ultimately made the decision to expel him from the school—along with three other rotten apples, all of whom were former kodansha in my school. It was a difficult decision, but necessary to protect the teaching process and ensure that the environment remained respectful and conducive to learning.
Destructive criticism, fueled by an inflated ego and lack of deep understanding, is one of the most dangerous traps a student can fall into. In martial arts—as in life—true mastery does not reside in the constant pursuit of novelty or spectacle, but in the repeated practice of fundamental principles. A teacher’s teachings don’t always need to be innovative; they provide the solid foundation required for the student’s psycho-physical and moral growth—the true objective of traditional Japanese martial arts, Budo and Kobudo.
The pivotal moment in the story, when the master prepares a “special” tea for the student, serves as a powerful metaphor. By offering a tea that, instead of meeting expectations, is “seasoned” with unpleasant ingredients, the master shows that what the student calls “original” is not always better. This act symbolizes how the quest for novelty can lead the student away from what truly matters: the correct execution of what one already knows.
This story also highlights the impact of destructive criticism—not only on those who receive it but also on those who deliver it. When a student makes baseless judgments, they stray from their own learning journey and, more seriously, lose the opportunity to keep evolving. Humility is a fundamental principle in martial arts. A good student knows that true progress comes from dedication and respect toward their teacher and their teachings—not from constant comparison with what seems “new” or “spectacular.” Only through openness to learning and a willingness to grow with what has been taught can we achieve true mastery.
Conclusion
Empty, baseless criticism only serves to hinder the student’s development. True wisdom lies in the ability to recognize the value of what has been learned, rather than in chasing what seems “better” from a superficial perspective. Humility, respect, and patience are the essential values that guide a true student along the martial path. As in life, genuine progress does not depend on what seems “original” or “brilliant,” but on constant dedication to practice, respect for those who teach us, and the mutual respect between masters and their students.
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