| Karate Precepts | | | | Heaven. |
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| Perfect one's character: | | | | Karate Principles |
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| Do not harbor hatred and bitterness. | | | | "The ultimate aim of karate lies not in |
| Negativity breeds negativity. Love one | | | | victory or defeat, but in the perfection of |
| another. Enough cannot be said on this. | | | | the character of its participants." |
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| Dedicate oneself to others: | | | | - Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan |
| | | | Karate |
| And not just to oneself. Selfishness leads to | | | | |
| hate, which leads to anger. Anger consumes | | | | The underlying principles of karate-do (Way |
| all in its path and is never quenched, except | | | | of the Empty Hand) include not only |
| by effort, which rebuilds. This may be one's | | | | self-defense, but a system of learning that |
| own effort, or the effort of another, | | | | provides one with a tool for |
| changing your nature and your life from the | | | | self-improvement. Its accessibility is shown |
| inside out. This will influence those around | | | | by its ability to be practiced hard or soft, |
| you. | | | | by nearly anyone, and nearly anywhere, even |
| | | | in one's own mind. Its precepts and |
| Uphold honor, bravery, and justice: | | | | discipline can lead us on in the difficult |
| | | | times of our lives. This is the connection of |
| In these you will find right paths. | | | | body, mind, and soul. |
| Selfishness corrupts. Patience instructs. | | | | |
| Only time will tell. | | | | "There is no first strike in karate." |
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| Never stop learning: | | | | - Gichin Funakoshi |
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| Always consider following right paths. Think | | | | Karate-do is a way of life that teaches one |
| not on the way of life or death. Life's | | | | to be the best he or she can be, in spite of |
| sorrows in disguise will always surprise you. | | | | and because of the worst situations that one |
| Do not settle for less than truth, or you | | | | faces. Karate is a code of conduct that |
| will be deceived. Letting go of life too | | | | avoids conflict; its level of force is only |
| quickly is not always honorable. Let go of | | | | stepped up if absolutely necessary. In this |
| concern for your life or death; seek only | | | | way, karate may be used to defend oneself and |
| honor and truth. Focus only on these, then | | | | others without striking a single blow. |
| pain and deception turn into lessons, or | | | | |
| blessings. You must always seek greater | | | | Way of the Empty Hand |
| understanding, so you may seek greater truth. | | | | |
| | | | Karate is not simply a method of empty handed |
| "Obstacles are what you see when you lose | | | | combat, but also a way of peace. Keep your |
| sight of your goal." - Anonymous | | | | mind open to the situation, and to the Truth. |
| | | | Do not miss the forest for the trees. Cut |
| Obtain victory without conflict: | | | | through all the hype and find understanding. |
| | | | Your hand, the human hand, is the most |
| The paramount of skill is victory without | | | | versatile physical tool on the planet. Your |
| conflict. Preserve the whole using your empty | | | | mind is an even more versatile tool. It is |
| hand. You must practice preserving the whole | | | | the tool of your human soul, human instincts. |
| in every thing. | | | | In that way, your mind is a hand, reaching |
| | | | out for truth, greater things. Therefore, |
| In summary: | | | | Karate is the way of uniting body, mind, and |
| | | | soul, that one may be a sharpened tool. Once |
| Meditate on all of this continually. | | | | one has learned Karate, its textbook of |
| | | | technique, philosophy, kata, one should |
| Righteousness is The Divine Truth. | | | | digest it and make it part of one's nature. |
| | | | Continue to sharpen yourself, refining what |
| Righteousness is the goal of all existence. | | | | you have learned, using it to your advantage |
| | | | and the good of others. |
| Righteousness is the only path to Nirvana, or | | | | |