Rules Essential to the Understanding of Karate-do:

• You must be deadly serious in training. If you merely move your hands and feet and jump up and down like a puppet, learning karate is not very different from learning to dance. You will never have reached the heart of the matter.
• Train with both heart and soul without worrying about theory. True practice is done not with words but with the entire body. What you have been taught by listening to others' words you will forget very quickly; what you have learned with your whole body you will remember for the rest of your life.
• Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism. A man who brags in booming tones or swaggers down the street as if he owned it will never earn true respect even though he may actually be very capable in karate or some other martial art. By doing so, he dishonours not only himself but his chosen art.
• Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, whether in public or in private. Karate-do aims at perfection of mind as well as body.

Karate-do Maxims

• Strive for perfection of character.
• Endeavor.
• Be faithful.
• Respect others.
• Refrain from violent behavior.

Make benevolence your lifelong duty.

To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.

Those who follow Karate-do must never forsake a humble mind and gentle manner. It is the small-minded individual who likes to brag upon acquiring some small skill. It is because of the large number of false martial artists in the world that the public tends to either ignore the martial artist or consider him wild. Therefore many serious martial artists are embarrassed. Students of Karate-do should always keep these points in mind.

Without courtesy, the essence of Karate-do is lost.

One who truly trains in this do and actually understands Karate-do is never easily drawn into a fight. One attack or a single kick determines life or death.

---Karate-do Kyohan (Kodansha International)

Hakkoryu Seishin, or, The Spirit of Hakkoryu
• Nintai, or patience
• Doryohu, or effort
• Shin Ai, written as belief or love
• Konjyo, written as disposition or energetic mental attitude, vitality
• Jihi, or mercy.

---notes on Hakkoryu, translated by Shihan Shuzan Murakami

To be enlightened is not to be bothered by the noise of society.

The basis of religion, politics, business, research and philosophy is in the kimo (heart) of man. Bugei is the way to kami (spirituality).

Mastering technique can give you the security of knowing you can protect your life, and through this knowledge your character will develop a lightness and dignity. But do not just master technique. Try to find and develop the truth behind the technique, the pure and eternal. This will allow you to master yourself and attain unity of mind and body, to become enlightened.

---paraphrased from dan syllabus introductions, translated by Brian Workman

The zen masters always say that zazen canot be expressed in words because that would be fooling people, like offering them a painting of an apple and telling them it is good to eat.

The martial arts are not theater or entertainment. That is not the true Budo. Kodo Sawaki used to say that the secret of the martial arts is that there is no victory and no defeat. You can neither win nor be beaten. It is not the same as in sports.

Seven Principles That Underlie the Spirit of Bushido
• Gi: The right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. Rectitude.
• Yu: Bravery, tinged with heroism.
• Jin: Universal love, benevolence toward mankind; compassion.
• Rei: Right action--a most essential quality, courtesy.
• Makato: Utter sincerety; truthfulness.
• Melyo: Honor and glory.
• Chugo: Devotion. Loyalty.

---The Zen Way to the Martial Arts, Taisen Deshimaru (E.P. Dutton)

Do you have comments or know of any other inspirational words from master martial artists? Please share! E-mail the quote, source and publisher and I'll include it on this page with your name, as the contibutor.

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