Dojo Virtues

[Nidan Melbourne]

Recently I was speaking to a student, and they asked me about whether my club (the one that I was in the process of starting up) had any virtues that would be a core aspect of our club. 

So I wonder what does your club or organisation have in terms of Club Virtues? 

Back to the story: 

I said yes we do, and follows the virtues of the International Goju-Kai Karate (IGK) that was formed by Tino Ceberano Hanshi. They were the same virtues that I learnt from my time at my first Club (Australian Goju Karate; from what I've heard they formally closed a few years ago). 

So they are: 

1. We are proud to study the way of Goju

2. We are Courteous in Manners

3. We strive to Develop Courage and Fighting Spirit 

4. We Cultivate Fellowship and Understanding

5. We Respect the Ideals of Loyalty and Honour

 

When I talk about those to my students; and they normally do ask questions about them and how they help our training and our lives. Some aren't as straight forward or clear, yet as we develop as karateka and as humans they should be clear. 

Now when I first learnt these virtues, I wasn't given much in terms of an explanation as to what they mean. But was generally told that as I got older, I would understand what they mean. 

But I try to make it a little easier on my students, and have them explain them in their own words to me. 

Here are my interpretations; but I leave it open for change as I continue my training and I get older these may change. 

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1. We are proud to study the way of Goju

Simply put, you should be take pride in what your learning and to give 100% into what your learning. Can be substituted for any style or martial art. 

Sometimes I feel like this one is a "no duh" type of situation. But sometimes people need to be taught that they can take pride in what they're learning or even if they are teaching. 

 

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2. We are Courteous in Manners

This is something I really struggled with growing up, but as I got older this became clearer to me. 

It talks about how we treat others, more importantly how we treat ourselves. 

 

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3. We strive to Develop Courage and Fighting Spirit 

This is in my mind a lifelong pursuit. As we need to have the courage to stand up for whats right and also to have the courage to fight when necessary. 

Overcoming our fight/flight response. 

Now Fighting "Spirit"  - having the ability to fight like you mean it and without fear. 

 

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4. We Cultivate Fellowship and Understanding

I personally love this Virtue, as we as a community need to foster relationships. 

Then once we foster those relationships, we need to develop an understanding of one another through communication and how we look after one another. 

In my mind it is so important to cultivate these because it is at its essence how we work together in class and learn without causing conflict. 

 

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5. We Respect the Ideals of Loyalty and Honour

Closely tied to point 4, where we show loyalty and honour those around us but also to those who have come before us. 

When we train, we need to keep in mind the efforts of those before us (especially those who taught). If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have Goju Karate that it is today. 

Also this talks about our relationships as a whole; current, future and past. 

 

 

 

[sensei8]

Excellent thread, Nidan Melbourne; thank you for starting this thread.

The virtues that our SKKA held very high were those of the 7 Virtues of Bushido:

1) Righteousness 

2) Loyalty 

3) Honor 

4) Respect 

5) Honesty 

6) Courage 

7) Consistency 

Even though the SKKA, the Governing Body that I was part of for over 6 decades, has been dissolved for cause, those 7 virtues of Bushido still remain with me, and will always remain with me for the rest of my lifetime because I hold those virtues to be true.

Those virtues aren’t just idle words to me because they mean everything to me. And not only because our founders and my sensei sincerely believed in them as well as living them everyday, but because that’s how I was raised. 

In the threshold of the ending days of the SKKA, the then current hierarchy had severely weakened and had adopted anything other than those 7 virtues of Bushido.

Oftentimes, MAists forget to show tolerances for those they disagree with. Whether it be an ideology and/or methodology with the throwing down of insults, and when the style is attacked, so is its practitioners. This isn’t Bushido, imho!!

Through the practice of any MA, we’re supposed to inherit confidence, mental strength, courage, tenacity, work ethic, humility, compassion, integrity, kindness, respect, honor, discipline, and much more. Friendships born in training are often more real than anything else in life.

Virtues are supposed to mean more than just words.

Sorry for my misplaced words but the acts of the SKKA that lead to its demise has made me quite sarcastic about many certain things, Bushido isn’t one of them.

[Nidan Melbourne]

On 2/2/2025 at 4:09 AM, sensei8 said:

Oftentimes, MAists forget to show tolerances for those they disagree with. Whether it be an ideology and/or methodology with the throwing down of insults, and when the style is attacked, so is its practitioners.

I agree with you on that fact! We can have disagreements, but when we can have a friendly discussion around something when it comes to opposing points of view. 

Yet when it goes past civil, we can longer have civil discussions. 

I love discussing differing styles, because I love to learn about how we differ and why they do things the way they do. But then it also challenges my perspective of why my style does what it does it does. 

On 2/2/2025 at 4:09 AM, sensei8 said:

Virtues are supposed to mean more than just words.

So true, to me they are meant to help form a key part of our core values. Especially if we start training from a young age, as the virtues that we learn in our training for some are the first ones they are introduced to. 

My Core Values; in a large part was formed from the IGK Virtues and evolved as I got older. The other Core Values for me; formed outside of class and what I held as important to me. 

On 2/2/2025 at 4:09 AM, sensei8 said:

And not only because our founders and my sensei sincerely believed in them as well as living them everyday, but because that’s how I was raised.

Its interesting with how different generations were raised; like I am a Millenial and you are part of an older Generation. 

When I first started learning my clubs virtues, I didn't really understand what they meant to my daily life and how important they would become to me. Now as an Adult, they are incredibly important to me. 

The current generation that is starting out, I don't know how much they understand. But definitely is a little project I will be working on over the next few years. 

On 2/2/2025 at 4:09 AM, sensei8 said:

1) Righteousness 

2) Loyalty 

3) Honor 

4) Respect 

5) Honesty 

6) Courage 

7) Consistency 

I love the virtues that the SKKA have, and when I look at them they just slot in nicely for me and don't cause any ruffles with my core values. 

I'm updating a Dan Grade Exam atm, these make me think it is worth adding ours in to our exam to see if they know them and their understanding of each. 

[Spartacus Maximus]

All the virtues or rules of every martial arts dojo could be combined into one, that is: Strive to be a good person(kind, honest, trustworthy) and a good citizen(follow rules and laws, avoid trouble and troublemakers) in daily life as well as in the dojo.

Most people can manage this just fine and it is not a difficult thing to do. If it were, there would be a whole lot more bad apples 

 

[bushido_man96]

The Tenets of TKD:

Courtesy:  Treat others with respect, be polite, encourage a sense of justice and humanity, and being helpful to your fellow man.  "The Golden Rule."

Integrity:  Do the right thing, and do the thing right.  I've often heard it said that integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking.  Being honest, not lying, and putting forth your best efforts in order to benefit others.

Perseverance:  When things are going right, going smooth, and come easy, it's easy to keep going.  Perseverance is doing so when things aren't easy, aren't smooth, and you'd rather be doing something else.  Setting goals and following through with them to the end.  Not giving up.  "Patience leads to virtue or merit."  Don't be "the little engine that could."  Instead, be "the little engine that does."

Self-Control:  In actions, words, deeds, and thoughts.  "With great power comes great responsibility."  As Martial Artists, we have a duty to those around us to exercise self-control.  We should be seeking to make things better around us.

Indomitable Spirit:  "Seven times down, eight times up!"  Training in Martial Arts can drive our bodies to the breaking point at times.  Indomitable spirit is what keeps us going.  A mental strength to keep trying and to keep working, even when our bodies say "stop!"  Doing what's right, even in the face of persecution.

These are very brief descriptions; I'm sure pages could be written on each, and probably already have by better people than me.  But these are but a glimpse into our dojang tenets.

[ryanryu]

On 2/1/2025 at 11:05 AM, Nidan Melbourne said:

Now when I first learnt these virtues, I wasn't given much in terms of an explanation as to what they mean. But was generally told that as I got older, I would understand what they mean. 

But I try to make it a little easier on my students, and have them explain them in their own words to me. 

I'm right there with you on this one. Explain stuff! Sometimes students won't understand it yet, but someday they might and it'll help them move a little further down the road.

For now, I have less virtues and more philosophies, I’d say.

My starting point was the 2nd Goju-ryu Precept –

• GOJU-RYU KARATE-DO IS THE MANIFESTATION WITHIN ONE’S OWN SELF OF THE HARMONIOUS ACCORD OF THE UNIVERSE.

Yea it’s a mouthful and sounds very 19th century. But I believe that it means that there is a balance in the natural world, an orderliness, a “harmonious accord”. And Goju-ryu, as the hard-soft style, is a tool/method that practitioners can use to develop the same balance within themselves.

One of the sayings that I first heard from Frank Van Lenten was that you should be as hard as the world makes you be and as soft as it lets you be. Obviously, this proportion varies for each of us, and it probably changes over time, but being able to harmonize the hard and soft is the final goal of Goju-ryu. I take that as more than just being flexible in your techniques, but knowing yourself and being in control of yourself enough that you can find that equilibrium.

There’s another prominent idea in the martial arts that I think dovetails well with the idea of balancing hard/soft – that the Budo mentality is a harsh battle with yourself.

For example, Shoshin Nagamine wrote that:

“Karate may be referred to as the conflict within yourself, or a life-long marathon which can be won only through self-discipline, hard training, and your own creative efforts.”

That resonates with me. It is really easy to follow your whims and avoid doing anything too difficult, but for those who learn how to endure, how to commit, how to take little steps consistently, it is so empowering.

Of course, a student doesn't need to believe any of this to train. I've just found it enriching to have a bigger philosophical framework around my training. I've struggled to learn and articulate this aspect of my training, but it's really the core of why I've found karate to be so useful in my life.

If I had to name specific virtues to support this, it’d be similar to what you have – perseverance, integrity, consistency, honesty (esp. with yourself), and courage. Perhaps temperance, prudence, patience as well? Martial arts training is powerful so a lot of these virtues exist to develop a sense of responsibility in the student. 

 

[Montana]

None. We have no virtues. We're doomed!

 

[sensei8]

6 hours ago, Montana said:

None. We have no virtues. We're doomed!

 

[Wado Heretic]

When I first started my club, I did not bother with a Dojo Kun, as I was largely teaching adults who had already formed a world view. I saw the dojo kun as largely an educational device. As time has gone by, I have taken on youth students for whom such teachings are invaluable, but I have also realised that they are a statement of intent. They explain to a prospective student what the dojo environment is intended to embody, and they help manage expectations. It means a student knows what I expect out of them more clearly. My choice of five, which has been parsed down from seven in the past, are:

Karate wa gi no tasuke - Karate is an assistance to justice

Saki Sei Sono Kokoro – Take the Previous Rule to Heart

Kazokushugi - Family-Centrism 

Makoto – Sincerity and Truth

Hito no te ashi wo ken to omo - Think of hands and feet as swords

Below are my explanations and intended meaning behind each:
 

Karate wa gi no tasuke - Karate is an assistance to justice.

I did once have Karate Mu Sente, which I did replace for Karate ni sente nashi, but neither really encompassed what I wanted to transmit. Both being phrases for their being no first attack in karate, it just led to pedantic discussions. What I wanted it to transmit was the idea of not initiating problems. Which is to say the attitude you take to things is a part of the reaction you receive. If you head into situations with an attack first mentality, whether literal or metaphorical, you are going to invite problems. You invite people to be defensive, and then the situation is at once antagonistic. When re-reading Funakoshi’s 20 precepts I was reminded of Karate wa gi no tasuke – Karate is an assistance to justice. I felt it worked on several levels. Someone going and starting fights is not being at all lawful, but it also spoke to a deeper level of the consequences of gaining personal strength: you can use or misuse that strength. Thus, this precept being first. I feel one should use our strength to pursue a better world. Also, my view that as autocratic as the dojo is, it should still be a place of fairness.  Plus, I feel the idea of justice also includes values of courtesy and integrity.

 

Saki Sei Sono Kokoro – Take the Previous Rule to Heart

Long story short, I had a couple of banners I made years ago which were copies of the banners in the Miyagi Family Dojo in the Karate Kid: Part 2. When I found a regular venue for my current club, I used to take them and hang them to give the place some atmosphere as it wasother wise a rather characterless function room. Someone did recognise them once, and quoted to me the meaning given by Mr Miyagi, and I had to point out the actual meanings: There is no first move in Karate, and senseigoshin: First, have a sound mind. After that, I went and got a banner with Karate ni sente nashi made by a professional to replace my tired, amateur attempt at Karate mu sente, and I retired the second banner. However, when I sat down to figure out my dojo kun I decided to include this seemingly throw away joke for a few reasons. To keep myself humble and take the dojo space seriously: I should not decorate it with things thinking they have no consequence. Everything in the dojo should have a purpose towards training. Secondly, it is a thought device to remind people to consider all the precepts interconnected. None of them exist separately. Lastly, to emphasise how seriously I take the first rule, and that it is the first rule for a reason.

 

Kazokushugi – Can be roughly translated as Family-Centrism. My teacher named his organisation on the concept at the heart of his approach: of members all being part of a family. That it is important that members feel part of the association they have joined, and don’t just feel like a number on a membership list. Thus, I have this as one of my dojo precepts as a reminder to embody this in my dojo too. Plus, to remind people of their other obligations in life beyond the dojo, the association, and karate: their friends and family.

 

Makoto – Sincerity and Truth

Depending on context it can be translated either way. However, what I intend in Makoto is sincerity towards one’s training, and to honesty to oneself. Having a clear vision of the intent of your training, being honest with oneself about one’s progress, or lack of, and having a realistic understanding of one’s ability and the purpose and limits of one’s karate.

 

Hito no te ashi wo ken to omo - Think of hands and feet as swords.

This is another of Funakoshi’s precepts, but I chose it due to an oft quoted statement for Chibana Chosin: “Your fingers and the tips of your toes must be like arrows, your arms must be like iron. You have to think that if you kick, you try to kick the enemy dead. If you punch, you must thrust to kill. If you strike, then you strike to kill the enemy”

Thus, I have this precept as a reminder of the need to train the body effectively. A sword is forged though hard work, the use of the right materials, and expert knowledge. But the quality of the sword produced lies in the efforts of the craftsman. Plus, a sword must be maintained: polished and sharpened regularly. Lastly, to carry on with this metaphor, a sword is only as dangerous as its wielder. A karateka must always be aware that their limbs are their weapons and treat them as such. Similarly, they must remain aware that these are the weapons of everyone else. We must practice awareness of the dangers others pose. And when we train with each other, we must take mistakes in our defences seriously. An error in the dojo should be treated in the same manner an error in a real fight must be treated: potentially lethal. An error should be taken to heart and learnt from.