https://web.archive.org/web/20021110125639/http://www.angelfire.com/ego/martial-arts/philosophy.html
Ming-Dao: Shen “Spirit” ∞
When the spirit is revealed, you will find out that it was inside of you. Spirituality is not just “out there.” It is also around and in us. If we understand that, no matter where we look spiritual revelations abound.
Ming-Dao: Zhong “Loyalty” ∞
An honest and sincere heart is one that cleaves to the middle (heart/mind). It is simple to espouse loyalty. But how easy is to be loyal? Can we live by keeping our hearts centered, even in the midst of great challenge?
Ming-Dao: De “Virtue” ∞
When actions are upright and from the heart, we have moral excellence. One is simply a good person because that is the natural way of things. The word “virtue” is just a word which reminds us to go out and to be upright (in all we do).
Bodhidharma ∞
The mind’s capacity is limitless, and its manifestations are inexhaustible. Seeing forms with your eye, hearing noises with your ears, smelling odors with your nose, tasting flavors with your tongue, every movement or state is all your mind. At every moment, where language can’t go, that’s your mind.
Confucius ∞
The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.
The superior man is always candid and at ease (with himself and others); the inferior man is always worried about something. The superior man is always dignified, but not proud; the inferior man is proud, but not dignified. The superior man attends to the spiritual things and not to his livelihood; The superior man does not insist on good food and lodging. He is attentive to his duties and careful in his speech, and he finds a great man as his guide. Such a person may be called a lover of learning. The power of the spiritual forces in the universe — how active it is everywhere! Invisible to the eyes, and impalpable to the senses, it is inherent in all things and nothing can escape its operation.
Sang Kyu Shim ∞
(One of the founders of The Tang Soo Do Association)
…Another artistic quality is open-mindedness. The artist is never fully satisfied with his creation because he feels there is always room for improvement. Because he is competing with himself rather than outside himself, his ideal keeps receding as he approaches it so that his potential is never exhausted.
Musashi ∞
(Miyamoto Musashi)
(See also The Five Rings – (~1645 book), by Miyamoto Musashi)
- This is the Way for those who want to learn my strategy:
- Do not think dishonestly.
- The Way is in training.
- Become acquainted with every art.
- Know the Ways of all professions.
- Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.
- Develop intuitive judgment and understanding for everything.
- Perceive those things which cannot be seen.
- Pay attention even to the trifles.
- Do nothing which is of no use.
- Polish your wisdom: learn public justice, distinguish between good and evil, study the Ways of different arts one by one.
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When you cannot be deceived by men, you will have realized the wisdom of strategy.
Funakoshi ∞
Six rules in training in the martial arts:
- You must be deadly serious in your training.
- Train with both your heart and soul without worrying about theory.
- True practice is done without words but with the entire body.
- Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism.
- Try to see yourself as you truly are and try to adopt what is meritorious in the works of others.
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Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, whether in public or private
I have always stressed the point in my teaching that karate is a defensive art and must never serve offensive purposes. “Be careful,” I wrote in one of my early books, “about the words you speak, for if you are boastful you will make many enemies. Never forget the old saying that a strong wind may destroy a sturdy tree but the willow bows, and the wind passes through. The great virtues of karate are prudence and humility.”
Tsunetomo ∞
A person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge. This is a matter of inexperience. When someone knows something well, it will not be seen in his manner. This person is genteel. One cannot accomplish this with cleverness. One must take a broad view. It will not do to make rash judgments concerning good and evil. However, one should not be sluggish. It is said that one is not truly a samurai if he does not make his decisions quickly and break right through to completion. “A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action.” -Samurai Maxim
Hyams ∞
“King Hsuan of Chou heard of Po Kung-i, who was reputed to be the strongest man in his kingdom. The king was dismayed when they met, since Po looked so weak. When the King asked Po how strong he was, Po said mildly, “I can break the leg of a spring grasshopper and withstand the winds of an autumn cicada.” Aghast, the King thundered, “I can tear rhinoceros leather and drag nine buffaloes by the tail, yet I am shamed by my weakness. How can you be famous?” Po smiled and answered quietly, “My teacher was Tzu Shang-chi’ui, whose strength was without peer in the world, but even his relatives never knew it because he never used it.” -Anonymous
Herrigel ∞
(Perhaps Eugen Herrigel)
I must warn you of one thing, you have become a different person in the course of these years. Perhaps you have hardly noticed it yet, but you will feel it strongly when you meet your friends and acquaintances again. You will see with other eyes and measure with other measures. It has happened to me too. It has happened to all who are touched by the spirit of the art. I, therefore, must emphasize once again that the Japanese arts, including archery, have not come under the influences of Zen only in recent times, but have been under its influence for centuries. Indeed a master, if put to the test of an archer from those far-off days, would not be able to make any statement about the nature of his art radically different from those masters of today for whom (the art) is a living reality.
Kauz ∞
Philosophical ideals in the martial arts:
- To strive for perfection of character
- To defend the paths of truth
- To foster the spirit of effort
- To honor the principles of etiquette
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To guard against impetuous courage
Urban ∞
(Perhaps one of the Pope Urbans)
One’s mind has no time to be troubled in a tough karate workout. The use of one’s strength and energies, the revitalizing effect of the karate breathing, and the satisfaction of having to fight many people, followed by relaxation and meditation practices, make karate students feel a robust sense of good health at all times. A good karateman develops first of all his katas to perfection; then broadens his character accordingly.
Liu ∞
It is said that Huang Ti (Emperor of China around 2700 BC) went to the K’ung Tung Mountains, where he met the immortal sage Kuang Cheng-tze. This master advised him that in order to preserve life, he should be careful not to thoughtlessly stimulate his passions or stir up his emotions, and should often sit quietly and make his mind more peaceful. By following this advice and practicing his exercises, Huan Ti was able to lead an amazing life and his reign as emperor lasted one hundred years.
Taisen ∞
7 Essential Principles Of Bushido, The Way Of The Warrior:
- GI: the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. Rectitude.
- YU: bravery tinged with heroism
- JIN: universal love, benevolence toward mankind. Compassion.
- REI: right action – a most essential quality. Courtesy.
- MAKOTO: utter sincerity. Truthfulness.
- MELYO: honor and glory.
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CHUGO: devotion. Loyalty.
Chow ∞
Life is like a book not to be judged by the cover but to treat each page as a day in the life of one person and to reach past the cover to the inside where the knowledge and insight can be found, and as every book has a last page we all have a last day, so should we then consider a book by its contents and not by the number of its pages.
Lao Tsu ∞
(Laozi)
- He who is on tiptoe is not steady.
- He who strides cannot maintain the pace.
- He who makes a show is not enlightened.
- He who is self-righteous is not respected.
- He who boasts achieves nothing.
- He who brags will not endure.
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According to followers of Tao, “These are extra food and baggage.” They do not bring happiness. Therefore, followers of the Tao avoid them.
Tohei ∞
(Perhaps see Interview with Master Tohei[doesn’t exist])
It is not the mighty man who is right, but the man in the right that is mighty. Do whatever you do with conviction. We study thoroughly the principles of the universal and practice it. We have nothing to be doubtful or to fear. We must have the courage to say with Confucius: “If I have an easy conscience, I dare to face an enemy of ten thousand men.”
Grandmaster Arndt ∞
Discipline in the martial arts is mainly self-discipline. You are taught a move, a technique, a form, an exercise, and you practice because you want to, not because you will be penalized if you don’t. You keep practicing to perfect. You set a goal: to learn and perfect a given technique. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?
It is basically simple. You had –
- THE WANT
- THE HOW
- THE GOAL
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THE ROAD TO THE GOAL!
Self-discipline is, in itself, an art. It is “an art of accomplishment.”
Master Lawlor ∞
I have come to realize that there is only a beginning to karate training; there is no end. Because it is an individual art, each student trains at his own pace, based on age, physical condition or limitations. There is no pressure to perform as there is in team sports. It is for this reason that American Kang Duk Won is for all people. Grand Master Arndt has said many times that karate is 90% mental, and that the mind rules the body.
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