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The success or failure of
TaeKwon-Do training depends largely on how one observes
and implements the tenets of TaeKwon-Do which should
serve as a guide for all serious students of the art.
COURTESY
It can be said that courtesy is an unwritten regulation
prescribed by ancient teachers of philosophy as a means
to enlighten human beings while maintaining a harmonious
society. It can be further be as an ultimate criterion
required of a mortal.
TaeKwon-Do students should attempt to practice the
following elements of courtesy to build up their noble
character and to conduct the training in an orderly
manner as well.
To promote the spirit of mutual concessions
To be ashamed of one's vices, contempting those of
others
To be polite to one another
To encourage the sense of justice and humanity
To distinguish instructor from student, senior from
junior, and elder from younger
To behave oneself according to etiquette
To respect others' possessions
To handle matters with fairness and sincerity
To refrain from giving or accepting a gift when in doubt
INTEGRITY
In TaeKwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser
definition than the one usually presented in Webster's
dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong
and have a conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed
are some examples where integrity is lacking:
The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by
presenting improper techniques to his students because
of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
The student who misrepresents himself by "fixing"
breaking materials before demonstrations.
The instructor who camouflages bad technique with
luxurious training halls and false flattery to his
students.
The student who requests ranks from an instructor, or
attempts to purchase it.
The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the
feeling of power.
The instructor who teaches and promotes his art for
materialistic gains.
The students whose actions do not live up to his words.
The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his
juniors.
PERSEVERANCE
There is an old Oriental saying, "Patience leads to
virtue or merit, One can make a peaceful home by being
patient for 100 times." Certainly happiness and
prosperity are most likely brought to the patient
person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher
degree or the perfection or a technique, one must set
his goal, then constantly persevere.
Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the
persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this
perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him to
free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most
important secrets in becoming a leader of TaeKwon-Do is
to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Confucius
said, "one who is impatient in trivial matters can
seldom achieve success in matters of great importance."
SELF CONTROL
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the
dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or
in one's personal affairs. A loss of self-control in
free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and
opponent. An inability to live and work within one's
capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.
According to Lao-Tzu "the term of stronger is the person
who wins over oneself rather than someone else."
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
"Here lie 300, who did their duty," a simple epitaph for
one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind.
Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas
and his 300 Spartans at Thermoplylae showed the world
the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when a
courageous person and his principles are pitted against
overwhelming odds.
A serious student of TaeKwon-Do will at all times be
modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will
deal with the belligerent without any fear or hesitation
at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever
and however many the number may be.
Confucius declared," It is an act of cowardice to fail
to speak out against injustice." As history has proven,
those who have pursued their dreams earnestly and
strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed to
achieve their goals. |