Martial Morality

[ninjanurse]

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community.

The tenets and precepts of Kwok Wu Chuen embody the Chinese concept of "Wude," which defines and cultivates the virtues of martial arts (or martial morality) needed to become a true master of oneself. It transcends the physical aspects of the art and is required to become a true student. Thousands of years of experience have created ways to cultivate and achieve this "warrior mind" and, in many cases, it requires a leap of faith to stay the course. Those that strive to develop their mind, yet disregard traditions and teachings that they don't see as relevant, leave gaps in their martial training that hamper their development.

Wude includes two aspects - morality of deed and morality of mind. The morality of deed includes humility, respect, righteousness, trust and loyalty. Meanwhile, morality of mind includes will, endurance, perseverance, patience and courage. The tenets and precepts of Kwok Wu Chuen can be found within these concepts.

Morality of Deed

1. Qian Xu/Humility

"The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bows."

- Chinese proverb

Humility comes from learning to control your feelings of pride and striving to make others feel important. Students who are always looking for ways to better themselves are willing to learn - to "empty their cup." A master cannot teach someone who is already full or who seeks knowledge out of pride.

2. Zun Jing/Respect

"Those who respect themselves and others will also be respected."

First, respect must be earned and cannot be demanded from others and second, respecting yourself leads to learning to respect and value those around you. This is the foundation of all relationships. Expressions of respect can be found in bowing, giving polite greeting, or attending class on time but it is the motivation behind the action that transforms it from ritual to reverence.

3. Zheng Yi/Righteousness

Righteousness entails taking care of business when business needs to be done, and doing it without hesitation or for the wrong reasons. It also means not sticking your nose into things that do not concern you. This ensures that you will have a clean mind, without guilt, and you will earn the trust of others.

4. Xin Yong/Trust

Being trustworthy starts with trusting yourself – the key to confidence. This external demonstration of confidence helps earn the trust and respect of others. Never take your promises lightly and always fulfill them.

5. Zhong Cheng/Loyalty

Loyalty is the foundation of trust and is especially crucial between a student and his/her master as obedience is a prerequisite for learning. Pride and concern for one's own dignity only puts a barrier up that prevents mutual trust and personal growth.

"A warrior is only a warrior because he believes in a cause greater than himself, and a warrior whose cause is himself and his own ego is no warrior at all."

- Dr. Makia Pai

Loyalty requires an emotional commitment not just a physical presence.

Morality of Mind

1. Yi Zhi/Will

The struggle between the emotional mind and the wise mind constitutes the internal battle of will that plays out when you commit yourself to a goal. The sincerity with which that commitment is made drives the strength of that will. Your desire must be deep and never vague. It is always the student's responsibility to walk the path and seek improvement - the teacher merely provides the guidance and direction to travel.

2. Yi Li/Endurance, Perseverance, Patience

These are the manifestations of a strong will and help build a profound mind which is required for committed learning and the ability to understand your actions. Successful people are those who are patient and persevere. Self discipline is learned through consistent and mindful practice.

3. Yong Gan/Courage

Courage and bravery go hand in hand. However, courage is the internal understanding that comes from the mind - a comprehension of the situation that allows one to act. An emotionally balanced mind gives courage an enduring presence that is always ready when the need to be brave (act) arises. Knowing the risks to yourself but acting for the benefit of others transcends the act itself.

The concepts of Wude, deeply ingrained in the history and culture of martial arts, are just as relevant to students today as they were to the warriors of the past. While various styles of martial arts have different traditions, concepts and techniques, these particular concepts are common among many. The modern warrior has varied reasons for the study of martial arts but all have moral responsibilities to use their skills for good and not evil, and while some of these ideas may not seem immediately clear and relevant to a new student, adherence to and practice of them will reveal their purpose over time.

Loyalty to the instructor, and the system itself, guarantees the longevity of the style and binds the student and teacher together in a relationship that allows the style to flourish and grow - thus insuring its survival for future generations.

How then do we choose a system and instructor under which to study? Traditionally, students did not choose a teacher, but rather the teacher chose them. Often, their loyalty was tested, prior to receiving any formal training, through several tests designed to measure their existing virtue and readiness for learning. A student had to prove he/she was worthy of learning and some of the criteria included:

• Being devoted to martial arts and willing to learn wholeheartedly
• Being ready and willing to endure hardship
  
• True humbleness
  
• Wit and courage
  
• Patience and endurance
  
• Sincerity
  
• Helpfulness
  
• Standing up for ones' teacher and fellow students
  
• Being able to subdue the ego for the good of the group
  
• Respect and loyalty toward the teacher the lineage of the school - including all other martial arts
  
• Adherence to the etiquette of the school and system

For myself, it was this same criteria that I used in my investigation and evaluation of the local martial arts community that led me to apply to be a student of this blended yet traditional style. This is a seemingly inverted approach. However, when analyzed, it becomes apparent that the student and the system gravitate toward each other via their shared virtues and stay with each other through shared loyalty.

San nian zho, san nian kao: "a student searches for years to find a good teacher, and a teacher will examine the student for years before really teaching her or him."

"Watch your thoughts; they become your words.

Watch your words; they become your actions.

Watch your actions; they become your habits.

Watch your habits; they become your character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."

- Unknown author

References

Loyalty and Dedication in the Martial Arts by Dr. Makai L. Pai

On Respect, Loyalty and Lineage by Dr. Makai L. Pai

The Value of Loyalty in Martial Arts by Alex So

ShouyuLiang.com

Martial Morality by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

[Patrick]

Thank you for the submission.

Patrick

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for sharing this article. I enjoyed the points discussed and the ideals behind them.

[DWx]

Great article They seem somewhat similar to the Confucian Virtues... Though I guess they stem from the same school of thought.

[sensei8]

A very well put together article, and one that I totally enjoyed. Thank you for taking the time to write it!!