On Being Ajarn

[chalambok]

When I first went to Thailand in 1972, Ajarn was a term I heard used only with college professors and monks, or sometimes for fathers and grandfathers, people who carried great respect for their life knowledge and advice. An Ajarn was more than just a martial arts teacher, but was someone who became a mentor if necessary, could guide you through the pitfalls and perils of life. Ajarn was your best friend, your counsellor when times were tough, your confessor when you needed. Ajarn was a person of great experience, in peace and war, at home or in public, laity or religion; someone who had most probably been at some time where you are now, but had an advisor of his own to help him to grow. Ajarn was a spiritual guide, in the true meaning of spiritual. So it was inevitable that when I started training full-time at the Buddhai Swan in 1994, I became an advisor to the young commandos I trained with every day. When we would do demonstrations they would ask me to introduce them to the beautiful young ladies they were afraid to talk with. They would ask me about the tactics of a quick ambush, or questions about American history. I helped show them how to play the guitar and we shared the gong sabatchai, drank whiskey and Singha and played takraw and the bowling game the Thai play. We became family, my nephews and I, Uncle Steve. And even though I was ranked as a Class 5 Level 1 Instructor they all began calling me Ajarn; privates, corporals, sergeants and officers. It is an honor I will always hold near to my heart. And shortly before his death MY Ajarn, Pakroo Samai Masamarn , honored me with the ranking of Ajarn, Class 8 Level 1. This means now I must be strong enough to bear the weight of my students when they cannot hold themselves strong, when their lives are hard and they are trying to grow, even to those who are trying to teach Krabi-Krabong without a certification and behind my back. The simple fact is that life is hard, and we all need an Ajarn. The people whom I have done seminars for know this. They know that I have accepted them into my family, into my life, into my heart. And they know too that sometimes they are my Ajarn, even those who are as young as 5 or 6. My life is not easy either, yet people envy me. If we all pull together the load is easier to bear.

[Khun Kao]

I spoke with my instructors daughter regarding the terms "Ajarn" vs. "Kru" and their proper use.

Ajarn = teacher (formal) Your college professor or dean are most commonly referred to as Ajarn

Kru = teacher (informal) Your Boxing coach. Because your relationship with your coach is often mostly informal, you refer to them as "Kru".

A perfect example of the usage would be Master Chai. Most people who are members of his association and train at its affiliated schools would refer to Master Chai as Ajarn Chai, as they do not train directly with him and the personal bond does not exist. Master Chai's personal students could correctly refer to him as Kru Chai, as they train with him regularly and a personal relationship or bond has been formed between them.

Same goes for my instructor, Master K. Because I trained with him for years and years, (in his basement and living room, no less!), I may address him informally as Kru K. However, my students who have not trained with him should refer to him as Ajarn K.

*editted*- I just mean to offer a different perspective, as I recently had a discussion on this topic with a Thai person.

Khun Kao

[chalambok]

Thank you for the clarification Khun Kao. Two observations please: Master Chai's older, more personal students all call him Master Chai rather than Ajarn Chai for who knows what reason. I do because I (being promoted to Ajarn) feel he is waaaay beyond me in every aspect of the path to enlightenment so to give him the same title as I would be ????? I cannot find the word. Secondly, I must ask you if Khun Kao means Knee Teacher or Rice Teacher ? Just kidding, and seriously thank you

Just trying to find my place in the scheme of totality

[Khun Kao]

LOL! If ya wanna be technical about it, my full Thai nickname is "Khun Kao Charuad", which translates to "King of Rocket Knees".

I realize that in our training and relationships, that various 'titles' that we give to those that we respect, or that are given to us, can take on deeper, more significant meaning than their "textbook" definitions, which is what I provided. For instance, NO ONE refers to my instructor as Ajarn. We *all* refer to him as Master. Period. From people who are meeting him for the first time, to those (like me) who have been training with him for years and years.

Because I am a certified head instructor of Muay Thai, and am in complete charge of the Muay Thai program at the MA School that I teach at, I can rightfully take the title "Master" or even "Ajarn". But, like you, I see much more in those two titles than just their textbook definitions. I don't feel I've earned either title yet, and quite frankly, I don't know I will EVER feel comfortable taking either title.

I prefer the informal "Kru". It gives me the title of respect as a teacher or coach, and thats all I'm comfortable with. I don't feel comfortable being referred to as "Master" because that is MY instructors title. There cannot be two Masters...

In any event, I'm sure we're on the same page...

Khun Kao

[skilzkid]

Question along the same lines as the Ajarn vs. Kru discussion -

What is the difference between Kru and Khun? I've even seen people listed online as "Khun Kru XYZ"...doesn't that just mean "teacher teacher XYZ"???

[OctaviousBP]

Khun is a simple honorific. If you were to address someone politely, you'd say Khun Skilzid, or whatever. Khru simply means teacher. So if you are being polite, you'd say "Khun Khru ***".

[Khun Kao]

"Khun is a simple honorific."

Exactly! The closest English equivalent for "Khun" is usually "Mister". But it all depends on its use. For instance, my screename "Khun Kao Charuad", translates to "King of Rocket Knees". It all depends on the context, I guess.

Khun Kao

[chalambok]

The weight is hanging heavy on my soul

but it is getting lighter, thanks to the more than 50 individuals who have joined our Krabi-Krabong Discussion Forum at Yahoo.com

The address for those who might be interested is
Krabi_Krabong@Yahoogroups

there is an underline _ instead of a dash - between Krabi and Krabong.

[Mike Goldbach]

"Master Chai's older, more personal students all call him Master Chai rather than Ajarn Chai for who knows what reason. "

We just called him Chai.

Mike Goldbach