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, which I always call “Special Training” the dojo
kun is repeated all together by the students 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.
Hitotsu: Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto
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.
Hitotsu: Makoto no michi o mamoru koto
Be faithful
To
be faithful 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.
Hitotsu: Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto
Endeavor
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.
Hitotsu: Reigi o omonzuru koto
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.
Hitotsu: Keki no yu o imashimuru koto
Refrain from violent behavior
