Dojo Kun
SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER
BE FAITHFUL
ENDEAVOR
RESPECT OTHERS
REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
1. SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER
- The ultimate aim of learning karate is to become a better person. Students should be taught the importance of character building through discipline and training. For the beginners the character building process begins with perfecting simple techniques through repetition. The spirit to fight will be achieved as one gains more confidence through development of harder and stronger techniques. Rigorous training brings out the fighting spirit, not only to fight but to overcome problems and personal crisis. Practicing karate is a way of life and the benefit it provides is lifetime.
2. BE FAITHFUL
- To be faithful is a strong samurai tradition. It is a mutual understanding of trust and loyalty between two persons. A medieval samurai was bound to follow his feudal lord to death without hesitation. While this may seem unusual today, it is unreasonable to expect a sensei to teach all he knows to a student who is likely to leave for the slightest and not valid reason. The faith to be shown is in your sensei and dojo. Students must prove his loyalty over the years. The faith and loyalty shown to the sensei will be rewarded, in that a greater amount of knowledge and wisdom will be passed on to the student, and this bond between sensei and student is valuable.
3. ENDEAVOR
- Means a complete dedication and commitment necessary to achieve mastery of the art. In no case is mastery possible without strenuous effort and sacrifice. The effort must be of a sincere nature and willingness. Serious effort on the part of the student will be recognised by the sensei.
4. RESPECT OTHERS
- Master Funakoshi stressed that karate begins and ends with respect. He also stated that without courtesy there is no dojo. Respect is a common sense to all of us. It starts at home, and in school, though some of us had been brought up and influenced in a different environment, it is the sensei’s hope that everyone who leaves the dojo after training is a better person.
5. REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
- A trained fighter is a person of a fierce competitive spirit and strength so it is unfair to use it against an untrained person. Karate is an auxiliary for justice and a person of character can walk away from a fight because he is in control of his emotions and he is at peace with himself. He does not have to test is abilities on the street, he wins without fighting and he will have no regrets because no one will be injured.
“It is necessary for us all to be reminded the importance of dojo kun, memorise it, understand it and apply it”
