Mind Rules of the Martial Arts

Tenets and Oaths

To some, Martial Artists can be considered as weird, men that are into Bruce Lee films, live alone, recluses, have a collection of sinister looking weapons and wear strange clothes. They move around in their gardens or in the park doing kicking and chopping movements against thin air and make grunting noises. People are wary that they may suffer from mental health issues and may become violent and pull out a Ninja death star. They don’t have girlfriends because they are too oddball.

Of course this is a complete misconception. Martial Artists can have a great deal of confidence, self control, discipline and are both physically and mentally fit. Traditional Martial Art styles often have their own Codes of Conduct, Tenets or Oaths. Like the Biblical Ten Commandments of the Martial Arts World.

Many young people come into Martial Arts from troubled backgrounds. They may have anger issues that need to be controlled or they may have a lack of confidence. These codes have been developed to give practitioners a guide of how to behave and respect yourself and others. To most people these values are normal in everyday society but some need guidance and a true, honest path to follow.

I have chosen three examples of Martial Arts Tenets and codes. They are copied from links to the websites in the photos.

Taekwondo

Student oath:

• Observe the tenets of Taekwondo.
• Respect all seniors and instructors.
• Never misuse Taekwondo.
• Be a champion of freedom and justice.
• Help to build a more peaceful world.

The tenets of Taekwon-Do are:

• 1 Courtesy
• 2 Integrity
• 3 Perseverance
• 4 Self-control
• 5 Indomitable spirit

As with different styles and schools this will vary. Click on the photo below to link to Wiki for a more detailed explanation.

Kung Fu

1. Required to respect the master, honour the Moral Way and love fellow disciples as brothers and sisters.
2. Required to train the Shaolin arts diligently, and as a pre-requisite, to be physically and mentally healthy.
3. Required to be filial to parents, be respectful to the elderly, and protective of the young.
4. Required to uphold righteousness, and to be both wise and courageous.
5. Forbidden to be ungrateful and unscrupulous, ignoring the Laws of man and heaven.
6. Forbidden to rape, molest, do evil, steal, rob, abduct or cheat.
7. Forbidden to associate with wicked people; forbidden to do any sorts of wickedness.
8. Forbidden to abuse power, be it official or physical; forbidden to oppress the good and bully the kind.
9. Obliged to be humane, compassionate and spread love, and to realize everlasting peace and happiness for all people.
10. Obliged to be chivalrous and generous, to nurture talents and pass on the Shaolin arts to deserving disciples.

Kung Fu has so many different styles and schools. Click on the photo below to link to the source of the above 10 Shaolin Laws.

Karate

Bushido Code – 7 Virtues

               Jin: Benevolence toward mankind; Universal love; compassion.

               Makoto: Utter sincerity; truthfulness.

              Chugi: Devotion and Loyalty.

               Meiyo: Honor and glory.

               Yu: Valor; bravery, tinged with heroism.

               Rei: Proper behaviour; courtesy.

               Gi: The right decision, taken with equanimity; Rectitude.

I have copied these 7 Virtues of Bushido from the link to the English Shotokan Academy in the below photo