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