Talk about learning something new every day! I was reading the September issue of an online magazine, Totally Tae Kwon Do, even though I actually practice Soo Bahk Do, and came across an article by Master Doug Cook, in which he referred to moral principles found in Tae Kwon Do. The 10 principles he stated were greatly similar to those of my art's founder, Grandmaster Hwang Kee. I emailed him, and he responded with a photo of the ancient tablet that has the 10 principles inscribed on it. They were composed by a Buddhist monk, Wonkwang Popsa, were adopted by his art, my art, and another Korean art, Tang Soo Do!

Here's the tablet:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=252134&l=259e8d6b9d&id=100000928483076

And here's what it says:

BE LOYAL TO YOUR COUNTRY

BE LOVING AND SHOW FIDELITY TO YOUR PARENTS

BE LOVING BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE

BE COOPERATIVE BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS

BE FAITHFUL TO YOUR FRIENDS

BE RESPECTFUL TO YOUR ELDERS

ESTABLISH TRUST BETWEEN TEACHER AND STUDENT

USE GOOD JUDGMENT BEFORE HARMING ANY LIVING THING

NEVER RETREAT IN BATTLE

ALWAYS FINISH WHAT YOU START

Similar in the tenets/maxims of Karate-Do, and by that, each martial art has it's own "Codes" to follow with no ambiquity whatsoever.

Thanks for sharing that Joe...absolutely breathtaking!!

Thanks for sharing Joesteph.

That is pretty cool that he took the time to respond to you.

I remember that the Hwarang had similar tenants so I Googled it, my Google skillz show that apparently the same monk you mentioned gave the Hwarang 5 commandments to live by.

Its good to see that common sense standards cross various lines of difference.