| Many martial arts schools around the world | | | | emotive venture by beginning your karate |
| promote a philosophy of self-improvement as well | | | | journey. A conflict of moral values is likely to "Dim |
| as an expected standard of technical skill. When | | | | Mak" (deliver a Death Touch to) your involvement |
| you think about it, it is the philosophy rather than | | | | in the martial arts from the very beginning. |
| the technical skill that should influence every | | | | The Dojo-Kun's precepts can offer a very simple |
| practitioner's daily life. | | | | template for following a virtuous path and for |
| The martial arts philosophy, or at least the | | | | reaching your potential in everything you do and |
| traditional karate philosophy, is called the Dojo-Kun. | | | | for being a good citizen. It's up to you to decide |
| The Dojo-Kun is simply a five point ethical guide | | | | how this philosophy fits in with your own ideals |
| for training in the martial arts and for behavior in | | | | and ethics. Most people find these five core ethics |
| your everyday life and is sometimes called the | | | | to be something that they can relate to on an |
| "Student Creed" in English. The traditional karate | | | | intimate basis; some people don't place much |
| ethics are often translated as: | | | | value on the philosophy of the martial arts and |
| · To strive for the perfection of | | | | are in your karate class alongside you for very |
| character | | | | different reasons such as self-defense or basic |
| · To follow the paths of truth | | | | health and fitness. The phrase "each unto his own" |
| · To foster a spirit of effort | | | | is definitely applicable here. |
| · To honor the principles of etiquette | | | | Essentially there are many other paths to |
| · To guard against impetuous courage | | | | self-realization and understanding of the greater |
| In many traditional karate schools these precepts | | | | world around you. The martial arts simply offer a |
| are chanted at the beginning and end of each | | | | valuable template for beginning to understand |
| lesson in Japanese, and in other schools in English. | | | | yourself and others through understanding |
| In some schools there is no chanting at all, just a | | | | movement, power, speed, timing, energy, tension, |
| posting of the principles on the dojo wall and | | | | relaxation and harmony. It is a beginning in what |
| other schools invent their own "Student Creed." | | | | can be a long and extremely rewarding journey. |
| I'm not here to tell you which way is right or | | | | If you need more help with this or any other |
| wrong, but what you should do when choosing a | | | | karate subject, please be sure to download my |
| martial arts school is ask yourself whether the | | | | FREE Report "Beginners Guide to Karate". You will |
| core values of that school resonate with your | | | | find out how to download it at |
| view of life and your moral ethics. After all you | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in |
| are exposing yourself and your family to a very | | | | karate. |