One code of conduct definition is”a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group” [1].
Codes of conduct exist for many different types of organizations, including the military, and have been around for martial arts for centuries. A code of conduct is important especially in martial arts where without principles that drive behavior and use of the art, people may be out of control and the intent of its usage disregarded.
The Samurai’s had a code of conduct called Bushidō that evolved over centuries, which translates to “the way of the warrior". A couple books of interest that go into the history and the actual Samurai code of conduct itself are:
• Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobé [2]
• Training the Samurai Mind: A Bushido Sourcebook by Thomas Cleary [3]
The ancient Korean martial art, Hwarang-do had a code of honor, many tae kwon do schools, and many martial arts schools or clubs, in general, have specific codes of conduct. The table below lists the tenets of the Bushido, Hwarang-do code of honor, and typical tae kwon do code of conduct.
As you can see the seven tents of the Bushido and the five tenets of the Hwarang-do are very similar in nature and that the typical tae kwon do code of conduct has many of the same tenets.
While we do not have a specific code of honor or code of conduct spelled out in our Han Moo Kwan Club we do instil these tenets through our teachings policies, and agreement of participation. In the below table I describe how I believe this is the case.
I believe living these tenets are critical when studying and practicing our art form, since the skills we teach in the Club can cause bodily harm and severe damage. I have said in class many of times if it is not precise it is not a martial art, it is just street fighting. If we do not have principles and tenets to guide our use of the art form, then the same is true. It can not be considered a martial art, but strictly street fighting.
References:
1. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/code+of+conduct., Accessed 21 July 2013
2. Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobé
3. Training the Samurai Mind: A Bushido Sourcebook by Thomas Cleary
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido, Accessed 21 July 2013
5. Hartman, Ronald. TKDTutorage, "Code of conduct.". Accessed 21 July 2013, http://tkdtutor.com/articles/topics/students/101-procedures/818-code-of-conduct?showall=&limitstart=
Regards,
Kelly
“But here we may wonder what he may do if nobody knew anything about it.” ~ from The Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido by Yuzan Daidoji, Oscar Ratti, and Thomas Cleary
