"A BODY IN MOTION STAY'S IN MOTION, A BODY AT REST STAY'S AT REST"
"A BODY IN MOTION STAY'S IN MOTION, A BODY AT REST STAY'S AT REST"
Miyagi Chojun Sensei the originator of Goju Ryu and Funakoshi Gichin 0 Sense! The originator of Shotokan Karate stated the following: "Karate-do ni sente nashi" Translated in English it means; there is no first strike in karate-do. All katas start with a block emphasizing this. This does not mean there is never a pre-empted attack. It simply means a true Karate ka always does everything to prevent violence and to walk away from a confrontation is always considered a victory. No one is hurt! In true karate-do, our true aim is to develop a better person. The raw new student who first enters into the Dojo school should be a better person and citizen in a year and there after ever improving. Through Karate-do, you achieve self-mastery by transcending the boundaries of ego-related distractions. We aim to build character, improve focus, self-discipline, finding your inner voice, build assertiveness (by building self-confidence) not aggression and cultivate modesty. Therefore, you see the focus is not on fighting. The true focus is self-improvement. It is in many ways a form of moving Meditation. The Do at the end of karate-do means "The Way". At our Dojo Sensei Roger St. Pierre has no tolerance for violence or violent behavior inside the Dojo or outside the Dojo. In fact, when students enter the dojo they are expected to be focused, respectful and serious. So horseplay is not tolerated. When you step on the dojo floor we are entering another world. You shut out the outside world (family, work, bills, or other worldly endeavors) we are required to take a short pause before we enter the dojo floor and bow. This is to recognize that we must prepare ourselves for the upcoming lesson by leaving the outside world at the beginning of the Dojo floor. We likewise bow out of the Dojo floor to recognize our re-entry of the outside world and likewise prepare ourselves for the challenges to come.
In Shotokan, we have what is called the Dojo Kun and the Ninju Kun (20 Precepts) At the end of every class, the entire class recites the Dojo Kun. There are five precepts we chant together and they are:
Dojo Kun
In Karate-do the end result is first a better human being from many years of hard and diligent mental and physical practice and secondly one learns the martial aspects as well. The martial aspect is where you learn to better defend yourself. To just learn the martial aspect is to defeat the true meaning of Martial Arts and the Do (The Way). Anyone can learn how to kick and punch and be violent. it is another story to become a better and more productive person. The pure pugilist has a short life; and a physical gain he/she makes gives them nothing from all of their hard work they put in. Always someone faster and/or strong who will come along someday will defeat you. Once defeated there is nothing left except and empty shell. A pugilist gains no respect from other people only fear and distaste. The pugilist must be ever vigilant because someone may call them out or sneak attack them; so they are always on edge. Doesn't sound like a very fruitful and enjoyable life to me! This is why karate-do puts the proper emphasis on the way and not the violence. To fight, only occurs as the last resort when all else has been exhausted and failed.
The Ninju Kun is 20 further rules a true martial artist must continually try to follow in his/her everyday life in trying to achieve "In Seeking Perfection of Character".