Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts …..- - Chief Instructor's Blog September 2016


Learning and living the tenets of martial arts, as I have mentioned in several blogs to date, improves one physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  However, how does one studying a martial art improve community or society?

In a letter written in 1882 from Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, one of the original karate masters of Okinawa, to his younger brother, he mentions the “Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts.” He states, “They were taught by wise men, and are contained in a book called the Godan-sho.”  The seven virtues mentioned by Master Matsumura are:

(1) It prohibits intentional violence
(2) It rules the actions of the warrior
(3) It edifies
(4) It promotes virtue
(5) It promotes peace among the people
(6) It produces harmony in society
(7) It brings about prosperity

I have been thinking how and if this applies in today’s modern society and believe it does. I will share my thoughts on why I believe this by looking at each of the virtues individually.

(1) It prohibits intentional violence

As noted in class and in several blogs, martial arts are intended to be used ONLY for self-defense when you feel there is no other option.  This is still the tenet today, 134 years after Master Matsumura wrote his letter.  In martial arts violence is never planned but an unintended result of someone else’s actions.

(2) It rules the actions of the warrior

As mentioned in several blogs, warriors of the past were ruled by a code of conduct and this is still the case today.  The code of conduct is the principles and tenets to guide our use of the art form, which is an imperative since the skills we teach in the Club can cause bodily harm and severe damage.  For a more detailed look at the martial arts code of conduct and how it applies today please refer to my August 2013 blog entitled, “Martial Arts Code of Conduct”  (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html).

(3) It edifies

This continues to be the true essence of martial arts – to instruct, educate and encourage teachings to improve one physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
 
(4) It promotes virtue

As mentioned under the second virtue, martial arts were built on a code of conduct which drives a behavior of high moral standards which remains a critical piece of being a true martial artist. In addition, martial arts provide the training and skills to act with strength and courage.
 
(5) It promotes peace among the people

As noted above, martial arts are to only be used as a last resort and for self-defense purposes only.  In addition, martial arts teach students to try all means possible to avoid conflict through awareness, avoidance, and de-escalation strategies, among other methods therefore promoting peace. 

(6) It produces harmony in society

By promoting the conduct and demonstrating the behavior of a true martial artist, the community and society around martial artists will also take on this behavior and tend to be in more accord and agreement. 

(7) It brings about prosperity

Prosperity or being successful does not necessarily equate to being financially wealthy.   In our Club, we teach to promote the art form and provide the best instruction possible to all students so that students can reach their full potential.  In reaching their full potential and learning all there is that martial arts can teach a student, students can become focused, confident, physically, emotionally and mentally strong. These characteristics will help student’s succeed and thrive in whatever tasks they take on. 

Regards,
Kelly

“To all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions, let humility – the spiritual cornerstone upon which Karate rests – serve to remind one to place virtue before vice, values before vanity and principles before personalities.” ~ Sokon ‘Bushi’ Matsumura, (~1797-~1890), one of the original karate masters of Okinawa