| Many martial arts schools around the world | | | | venture by beginning your karate journey. A |
| promote a philosophy of self-improvement as | | | | conflict of moral values is likely to "Dim |
| well as an expected standard of technical | | | | Mak" (deliver a Death Touch to) your |
| skill. When you think about it, it is the | | | | involvement in the martial arts from the very |
| philosophy rather than the technical skill | | | | beginning. |
| that should influence every practitioner's | | | | |
| daily life. | | | | The Dojo-Kun's precepts can offer a very |
| | | | simple template for following a virtuous path |
| The martial arts philosophy, or at least the | | | | and for reaching your potential in everything |
| traditional karate philosophy, is called the | | | | you do and for being a good citizen. It's up |
| Dojo-Kun. The Dojo-Kun is simply a five point | | | | to you to decide how this philosophy fits in |
| ethical guide for training in the martial | | | | with your own ideals and ethics. |
| arts and for behavior in your everyday life | | | | |
| and is sometimes called the "Student Creed" | | | | Most people find these five core ethics to be |
| in English. The traditional karate ethics are | | | | something that they can relate to on an |
| often translated as: | | | | intimate basis; some people don't place much |
| | | | value on the philosophy of the martial arts |
| · To strive for the perfection of | | | | and are in your karate class alongside you |
| character | | | | for very different reasons such as |
| | | | self-defense or basic health and fitness. |
| · To follow the paths of truth | | | | |
| | | | The phrase "each unto his own" is definitely |
| · To foster a spirit of effort | | | | applicable here. As with so many things in |
| | | | life, we have to find our own way given our |
| · To honor the principles of etiquette | | | | own set of criteria and backgrounds. |
| | | | |
| · To guard against impetuous courage | | | | Essentially there are many other paths to |
| | | | self-realization and understanding of the |
| In many traditional karate schools these | | | | greater world around you. The martial arts |
| precepts are chanted at the beginning and end | | | | simply offer a valuable template for |
| of each lesson in Japanese, and in other | | | | beginning to understand yourself and others |
| schools in English. In some schools there is | | | | through understanding movement, power, speed, |
| no chanting at all, just a posting of the | | | | timing, energy, tension, relaxation and |
| principles on the dojo wall and other schools | | | | harmony. It is a beginning in what can be a |
| invent their own "Student Creed." | | | | long and extremely rewarding journey. |
| | | | |
| I'm not here to tell you which way is right | | | | If you need more help with this or any other |
| or wrong, but what you should do when | | | | karate subject, please be sure to download my |
| choosing a martial arts school is ask | | | | FREE Report "Beginners Guide to Karate". You |
| yourself whether the core values of that | | | | will find out how to download it at |
| school resonate with your view of life and | | | | |
| your moral ethics. After all you are exposing | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in |
| yourself and your family to a very emotive | | | | karate. |