My
son is in the final
stages of getting his
black belt. He/we would
like to donate something
back to the school for
allowing him/us to train
there while on this
journey. Do you have any
suggestions on what
would be appropriate for
such an occasion? - Pat,
USA
our
answer
tr0008
Why
do the Shaolin wear
orange clothes? - Dor,
Israel
our
answer
tr0007
What
is a dojo?
our
answer
tr0006
My
teacher is obsessive
about how I leave my
shoes before
coming into the dojo.
She says that is a good
mirror of my self. What
is she talking
about?
our
answer
tr0005
When
does a self-defense technique become a
martial art
technique?
our
answer
tr0004
What
is the reason behind the
formal etiquette involved in the
practices of the martial
arts?
our
answer
tr0003
I
started the practice of
martial art not too long
ago. Last week, while
observing a brown belt
grading, the invited
teacher made reference
to bushido.
Please, what does it
mean?
our
answer
tr0002
How
is possible that
"martial art" can be
referred to as a
"peaceful
art"?
our
answer
tr0001
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tr0001
How
is possible that
"martial art" can be
referred to as a
"peaceful
art"?
Bu: stop conflict
... Bu is translated as
"martial," or "warlike,"
but a different meaning
is conveyed when the
word is written in kanji, the
ideographic pictograms
for writing borrowed by
the Japanese from the
Chinese. It is said that
the original symbol for
war, representing the
spear or sword, is
joined by other lines
indicating the stopping of the
spear to end the
conflict. It is this
defensive and peaceful
intention that is often
lost in the translation
of bu in Western
languages. The do suffix further expands
the concept from things
warlike by emphasizing
creativity and
concentration of energy
on a path of
learning.
... Although
there are technical and
historical roots in
warrior combative
technique, the martial
arts as art evolved
during times of
transition towards peace
and were maintained as
much for health &
fitness of mind and
body, as they were to
preserve traditional
skills.
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tr0002
I
started the practice of
martial art not too long
ago. Last week, while
observing a brown belt
grading, the invited
teacher made reference
to bushido. Please, what
does it
mean?
... Combat
techniques, as a body of
knowledge, became known
in Japan as bujutsu and the fighter as a bushi. The
warrior classes had
varying degrees of
political clout
throughout Japanese
history. Although
sometimes holding
absolute power, they
were just as often
consigned to the
servitude of a
particular master. The
samurai were an example
of a class of warrior
who were thus bound;
their code of honor,
conduct, and the
commitment to die for
their masters, similar
to the code of chivalry
for European knights,
was known as bushido.
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tr0003
What
is the reason behind the
formal etiquette
involved in the
practices of the martial
arts?
... When
we consider all the
benefits of the training
in terms of health,
character, and wisdom,
we can see the
importance of
understanding the real
goals of the martial
arts system and how we
can achieve them. It is
essential that the
students realize and
accept that this
activity requires a
commitment to ethics and
safety in practicing and
using the skills
presented.
... The
traditions and rules of
good sporting behavior
are supposed to cover
the conduct of
individuals in all
athletic pursuits. But
the martial arts, if
practiced without due
attention and respect
for your partner
training, could
seriously harm someone.
Students who become
bored holding a focus
pad for their partners
could easily find that
pad flipping into their
faces, or worse, the
punch or kick thrown at
a wavering pad could
miss and find a less
padded target. Any
techniques that involve
contact or joint
manipulation or that
come close to a training
partner's personal space
require the utmost
attention for safe
training.
... At
advanced training levels
the exertion, fatigue,
and effort, as well as
the close contact with
training partners, can
arouse emotional
responses that students
must control well and
keep in a training
rather than competitive
perspective. The
standard of behavior and
adherence to a strict
code must be higher in
the martial arts than in
other sports.
... Many
methods and ceremonies
have evolved to protect
students from each other
and themselves as they
train. These traditions
are as important in
preventing accidental
injury as they are in
ensuring the integrity
of the training and the
art.
... Such
martial arts traditions
provide a structure to
ensure that the mind and
spirit are in
appropriate relationship
to the body and its
activity. Bowing to your
partner, shaking hands,
standing and sitting
correctly, addressing
your seniors with
respect, avoiding idle
chatter and profanity,
helping others, and
being alert and present
are all part of the
training process and
help maintain the proper
functioning of the
school. As physical
contact increases, due
to the nature of the
technique or the
intensity of practice,
the relations between
students become more
formal. This ensures
that everyone is paying
attention and being
careful, and leaves
little room for tempers
or misunderstandings to
mar the training.
... The
students must be able to
trust their training
partners to lend their
bodies to the practice.
Martial arts schools may
sometimes appear
militaristic in their
discipline. This sense
of order must not be
confused or distorted to
allow abuse or
humiliation of students
by others, and
especially not by the
teacher. Respect will be
earned, not demanded in
a healthy dojo,
and the students will
learn that there is a
time to be serious and a
time to play within the
practice.
... Students
and teachers must always
be vigilant for correct
attitude within
themselves. By having an
accepted framework of
etiquette that has
meaning and purpose, you
can readjust your
attitude when necessary.
This is crucial to
enjoying the training
but is also a vital link
in controlling fear and
anger when confronted
with a situation in
which you will need your
skills in self-defense.
Knowing when to run, and
when to stand and fight,
call for intelligence
and honesty in assessing
risk and ability.
Keeping your cool and
talking our way out of a
bad situation requires a
clear head and the
ability to control your
emotions.
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tr0004
When
does a self-defense
technique become a
martial art
technique?
... Good
question, with a lot
that can be said about
it. Let us begin by
telling you briefly that
martial artists rarely
practice in a negative,
frightened, or angry
mind set. They feel that
they are learning
something fun, and that
gives proven physical
results, so they feel
good. Although clearly
the body is
participating in the act
of punching, kicking,
grappling, or throwing,
the spirit is not angry
or unhappy. Quite the
opposite kinds of
energies are at work in
the dojo.
... Even
while the intellect
absorbs subtle nuances
of technique, and
knowledge of where
exactly in the human
body a counterattack
will have the most
effect, the brain
remains clear of harmful
intent. Students are
admonished to focus
their entire being on
the flow of technique.
They will defend
themselves with maximum
effort and yet in the
visualization of the
attack there is not an
iota of hate. This is
different from some of
the more popular
self-defense courses, in
which participants are
encouraged to use their
fear and rage against
attackers. Although some
psychological therapists
recommend such practice
for those immobilized by
fear or trauma from
previous attacks, this
technique is a
distortion of the
desired mind-set of the
martial arts.
... Martial
artists are trained to
expect the unexpected.
Part of this is
developing an alertness
and preparedness that
comes from being relaxed
and comfortable with
one's self. Attacks can
happen in public spaces
in broad daylight and
also from sources one
least expects.
Self-defense against
"bullies" might involve
physical and mental
attacks from strangers
on the street, drivers
in traffic, co-workers,
schoolmates, and even
pushy people in the
supermarket aisles.
Rather than encouraging
paranoia or abrasive
attitudes, those
involved in the martial
arts seek to project a
positive outlook that is
helpful, confident, and
capable. This allows
them to respond in a
manner appropriate to
the perceived offense,
rather than overreact,
as often happens in such
cases.
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tr0005
My
teacher is obsessive
about how I leave my
shoes before coming into
the dojo. She says that
is a good mirror of my
self. What is she
talking
about?
... Many
martial arts traditions,
which can appear on the
surface to be merely
cultural, are in fact
basic exercises for the
mind. Leaving your shoes
at the door, carefully
positioned for easy
access, represents
shedding the day's
concern and indicates a
state of readiness
characteristic of the
martial artist, as well
as keeping the training
area clean. The
experienced teacher can
read an attitude by the
way the students
position their shoes
outside the training
area. For example, if a
student is late for
class and in her haste
kicks off her shoes or
forgets to place them on
the self, or leaves
smelly socks in her
shoes to offend fellow
students, these lapses
will reveal much about
the character of this
student and similar
patterns are likely to
emerge in the training.
The rituals of tying the
uniform, gi, and
the precise
configuration of the
knot of the belt, help
the student calm the
mind and focus on the
present in preparation
for the level of
concentration needed in
the class. There are
numerous examples like
these.
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tr0006
What
is a
dojo?
... The
martial arts dojo is a special environment
designed to encourage a
sensible and safe
approach to the study of
ideas and techniques
that could be dangerous
if applied incorrectly
or for the wrong
reasons. A real dojo functions
properly because of
correct and safe
teaching, and traditions
and etiquette of
behavior that favor
learning, concentration,
and commitment. The dojo is not a
special place by itself,
but becomes special
because of the attitude
and training of the
people in it. It does
not have to be fancy,
particularly well
equipped, or severely
austere. A dojo can be created anywhere
that someone makes a
conscious decision to
train in a certain
way.
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tr0007
Why
do the Shaolin wear
orange clothes? - Dor,
Israel
... In
the Buddhist tradition,
as well as for the
Shaolin monks and other
Eastern traditions, the
color orange (from
saffron) in their
clothes indicates
selflessness and
dedication to humanity.
This ranges from
renunciation of material
possessions to celibacy.
The use of a "visible"
color is also a help to
those who wanted to
assist them with food or
other needs. When the
monks arrived in a town,
they were forbidden to
ask for things directly
but the orange cloth was
an distinguishing form
to "tell" others of
their living
Way.
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tr0008
My
son is in the final
stages of getting his
black belt. He/we would
like to donate something
back to the school for
allowing him/us to train
there while on this
journey. Do you have any
suggestions on what
would be appropriate for
such an occasion? - Pat,
USA
... Your
idea "to give something
back" is very
thoughtful. It shows
that you recognize the
value of martial art
training in your and
your son's life. Without
knowing more about you
and the dojo/dojang in
which you are involved
it is tricky to tell you
what is traditional or
appropriate. There may
be something that your
school really needs (in
the way of equipment for
example) and your
contribution could
either purchase that or
be the first gift of a
fund raising
campaign.
... On
a smaller scale a flower
arrangement for the
ceremony might be nice.
Our personal suggestion
however is to contribute
to a library for the
school, either with
funds or a book or two
(or more). Books about
history, philosophy,
sport medicine,
education, health &
fitness, etc., might be
particularly valued and
expand the minds of
those who participate in
the training. We would
suggest leaving the
technique end up to the
teachers
however.
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