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Dojo Kun
Everyone who trains in
karate must know the dojo kun. At the end of each training session,
whether it be at the dojo, after class, or after a tournament, the
dojo kun is repeated by the students all together as a reminder of
why we train. The dojo kun states the basic philosophy of karate,
according to its founder, Master Gichin Funakoshi. Master Funakoshi
believed that, for the true karate-ka, the dojo kun should not only
be considered a set of rules of conduct in the dojo, but a guide to
everyday life. Everything we learn in the dojo, we should apply to
everyday life.
Jinkaku Kansei
Ni Tsutomuru Koto
To Seek Perfection Of Character
This is the ultimate goal of karate. The other four principles of
the dojo kun, as well as the entire nijyu kun, all tell us what it
means to seek perfection of character—how we can go about pursuing
this highest objectives. But this is the most important thing. We
seek perfection of character from the inside out. It is something
we should do every moment of every day of our lives.
This means we should never stop learning. Karate training, like
life itself, is an ongoing process of growth and personal education,
a process that lasts for a lifetime. It is good to set goals, but
as soon as we accomplish them, it is important to set our sights on
the next goal, to improve. To seek perfection of character is to
always seek to improve oneself, to always endeavor to learn and
grow.
Makoto No Michi
O Mamoru Koto
To Be Sincere and Honest
This means to be sincere in everything you do. Here we are talking
about making a total effort, all the time, in whatever you do. To be
faithful of course means that you have to be true to other people,
to your obligations—but it also means you have to be true to
yourself. And to do so means you have to do your best in everything
you do. When you are faithful to yourself, others will have faith in
you. This creates mutual trust between people. Being faithful to
yourself is essential to realizing the first goal of being the best
person you can be.
Doryoku No
Seishin O Yashinau Koto
To Show Strong Spirit
Try hard at everything you do. No matter what you are doing,
whether it’s training, working, having a relationship—give it one
hundred percent. To do anything else is to cheat yourself and
others. If you don’t endeavor to do your best, you are not being
faithful to yourself and others, and you are not trying to seek
perfection of character.
Reigi O
Omonzuru Koto
To Respect Others
A true martial artist always shows respect to other people. And it
is something you ought to feel in your heart. Showing respect is a
sign of humility, and humility is necessary for an open mind, which
it turn is necessary to learn, to grow. You can always learn
something from every person you meet. Likewise, every person you
encounter is a possible opponent of some kind, and that opponent can
pose a threat to you, physical or otherwise. In either case, if you
respect everyone, you will more clearly see things for what they
are, and you will be able to get the most of every experience.
Keki No Yu O
Imashimuru Koto
To Refrain From Violent Behavior
This is a reminder to keep calm inside. Control yourself at all
times, from within. Conflict within is a form of violence. It
leads to violent actions, which is something you should try to avoid
at all costs. A martial artist should always be in control, and
that begins with an inner calmness, with peace of mind. If you are
forced to defend yourself as a last resort, then it is all right to
do so. But you will only be successful defending yourself when you
maintain a calm, clear mind, in which case using karate technique to
protect yourself will truly be your reaction of last resort.
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