Five Principles of Karate-Do
1. Respect Others
2. Avoid Violent Behaviour
3. Seek Perfection of Character
4. Endeavour
5. Be Faithful
The principles can be open to individual interpretation in parts but there are will always be some constants that apply to all members of the Dojo, both teachers and students. The words below are what the Dojo Code means to me and how I apply it to my life.
1. Respect Others
We live in societies that are ever increasing in terms of diversity across race, culture, religion, sexual persuasion and disability. In the Dojo we also have a vast age range of 5 upwards ... there is no upper age limit (it's never too late to start Karate).
We live in societies that are ever increasing in terms of diversity across race, culture, religion, sexual persuasion and disability. In the Dojo we also have a vast age range of 5 upwards ... there is no upper age limit (it's never too late to start Karate).
As students of Karate we have to be mindful of how we communicate ... respect is a two-way street, regardless of rank. We respect each other for allowing us to practise our techniques upon each other; for allowing us to develop our art with each other. We bow to each other to demonstrate the respect that we feel for each other ... it must never be an empty gesture ... rather tempered with sincerity.
We avoid any behaviour that strips away the dignity of another and there must always be respect for our elders.
We ensure that we do not use any behaviour or language that is discriminatory in any negative sense. So we avoid any form of racist, homophobic, sexist or ageist behaviour, as well as avoiding any behaviour that would offend someone in any other way - including disability - mental or physical.
We should nurture and encourage each other to progress on the journey of individual development in our Karate and in our personal lives.
2. Avoid Violent Behaviour
We train in a martial art but we are taught from day 1 - our art must not be used outside of the Dojo unless we are either protecting ourselves from attack or defending another person. If we have to use our art, we must only use the minimum force necessary to defend ourselves or another. Every situation is different and 'minimum force' comes down to the individual circumstances that we find ourselves in.
3. Seek Perfection of Character
We all have flaws in our character. Nobody is perfect. Some time should be spent in introspection to identify our own flaws and to work on them. This is perhaps one of the hardest ideals to uphold within the Dojo Code. Progress should be constant ... but the amount that we progress will be down to the individual and issues that we currently face in our lives. At times we may move forward in leaps and bounds ... at times, slower ... all that matters is that we're moving in the right direction.
At times it's easier said than done ... but we must not let anyone get the better of us by reacting to emotional stimuli. Humility and self-discipline are allies for this task.
4. Endeavour
The word 'endeavour' is a verb and means to try hard to do or achieve something. It ties in with all of the other elements of the Dojo code: we have to endeavour to do our best in everything that we do ... both in and out of the Dojo. Our journeys will face many hurdles. We can try our best to overcome them ... or to live with them. Apply this to your school work, your job, your relationships ... and don't take anything or anyone for granted. In the Dojo we will be pushed to do our best ... but at some stage during our training we must, as early as possible, accept responsibility for our own development. Our Senseis will teach us certain things ... but we must also practise these elements of our art by ourselves. Students that learn this will develop quicker in whatever they hope to achieve in life.
We train in a martial art but we are taught from day 1 - our art must not be used outside of the Dojo unless we are either protecting ourselves from attack or defending another person. If we have to use our art, we must only use the minimum force necessary to defend ourselves or another. Every situation is different and 'minimum force' comes down to the individual circumstances that we find ourselves in.
3. Seek Perfection of Character
We all have flaws in our character. Nobody is perfect. Some time should be spent in introspection to identify our own flaws and to work on them. This is perhaps one of the hardest ideals to uphold within the Dojo Code. Progress should be constant ... but the amount that we progress will be down to the individual and issues that we currently face in our lives. At times we may move forward in leaps and bounds ... at times, slower ... all that matters is that we're moving in the right direction.
At times it's easier said than done ... but we must not let anyone get the better of us by reacting to emotional stimuli. Humility and self-discipline are allies for this task.
4. Endeavour
The word 'endeavour' is a verb and means to try hard to do or achieve something. It ties in with all of the other elements of the Dojo code: we have to endeavour to do our best in everything that we do ... both in and out of the Dojo. Our journeys will face many hurdles. We can try our best to overcome them ... or to live with them. Apply this to your school work, your job, your relationships ... and don't take anything or anyone for granted. In the Dojo we will be pushed to do our best ... but at some stage during our training we must, as early as possible, accept responsibility for our own development. Our Senseis will teach us certain things ... but we must also practise these elements of our art by ourselves. Students that learn this will develop quicker in whatever they hope to achieve in life.
5. Be Faithful
Some English dictionaries define being faithful in numerous ways ... for myself the following have more relevance:
- Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal.
- Worthy of trust or belief; reliable.
- Consistent with truth or actuality:
There will always be those that either will say unkind things about us and that there will always be those that act without honour. We don't have to do anything to upset these people ... it will just happen. The reasons can be many. In your day to day life, you may fall foul of issues related to your race, your sex, your religion, your height, your weight, your status, your job, your age, your disability ... the list goes on. I prefer to walk away from such incidents or related trouble. I prefer to tell my truth when the opportunity arises and I feel that it's warranted. I stay faithful to the concepts of truth and honour and I am loyal to those that share the same ideals.
It's important to conserve our 'self' and not become hard-hearted as we overcome our personal hurdles. An open heart and mind are essential tools for coping with the difficulties of modern living. Like wolves, we are pack animals and we gravitate towards those that uphold and live by the same values.
All of the principles of Karate-Do tie in with and promote each other ... flowing from one to another.
The principles will mean different things ... perhaps additional elements will shine through as we contemplate them in our journeys along the path of Karate-Do from time to time.
Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu,
Meiyo Karate Club,
Nottingham.
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