Why? Part II

Background

Recently, I was asked: "What do you hope to achieve with your training, ultimately? What is the purpose of putting yourself in physical danger and sustaining injuries?"

This is the second of a series of entries that attempts to answer the question, "Why?". In Part I, we took a look at "Physical Health and Fitness" and "Self Esteem". This time I'd like to focus on "Perfectionism" and "Budo as a Way of Life".

Perfectionism

Shihan Eric Van Vaerenbergh (Kyokushin 4th Dan and Shihandai of IBK Belgium) recently said, "the greatest opponent in the martial arts is yourself." Eric certainly isn't the first to put it this way. Indeed, for martial artists, this maxim is well known.

Consider the effort that a gymnast puts into perfecting his techniques. Continuously training in the hope that a panel of judges will award a higher score than that awarded to peers and competitors. Since the gymnast is aware that 'perfection is the goal that no human can reach', training never ends. The pursuit of the highest possible levels of skill and form becomes a way of life for the gymnast.

I'm also aware that achievement of perfection is not humanly possible. For me, as a martial artist, the pursuit of technical and philosophical perfection in my art is not entirely dissimilar to the gymnast.

The difference (perhaps) is this; I am my one and only Judge.

For some people, this would be like getting a "get out of jail free" card in a game of Monopoly. After all, if I am my only Judge, what assurance is there that I am judged to the highest standards and not to a weakened standard that allows for self praise and a false sense of superiority? I'm sure it's safe to say that most martial artists have met people that fall into this trap. The answer is fairly simple:

As a person; I'm a perfectionist. As a Judge, I am my own worst nightmare.

Budo is a way of life. It is about aspiring to the highest standards in all that I do. Physically, mentally and spiritually. For anyone that is a perfectionist by nature, the martial arts present the ultimate challenge.

Ultimate is a word that is all too often overused and misunderstood. The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines "ultimate" as, 'the best or most extreme example of something.' It is in this sense that, for the perfectionist in me, Budo (the martial way) is the ultimate challenge. It is the highest level of challenge available to me.

Every moral fibre, every physical cell, every thought, every sense of self, every movement in kata, every decision in combat, every choice in life; Budo demands that I reach and maintain the highest standards in these things and more. For the perfectionist; what greater challenge exists than that which challenges every aspect of one's very existence?

Budo as a Way of Life

Budo is, of course, a Japanese term. Translating Japanese into English (or any western language for that matter) is not always an easy task. Very often, the smallest of Japanese words carries a mountain of complex meaning. It is generally accepted that the term 'Budo' is most accurately (and literally) translated as, "the way of combat". However, during the 20th Century the term was 'adopted' and came to represent the martial arts in general. The term no longer describes only the physical and technical aspects of combat and has come to encompass physical discipline, an attitude of mind, a command of the spirit and the strongest of moral codes.

The most famous of the Japanese warriors are the Samurai. For this warrior class, Budo was indeed a way of life and combat was about life or death. For them, "Budo" focused soley on the martial and combatative aspects of that which we now call martial arts. However, they adhered to the strictest moral codes of conduct known as the 'Bushido'.

The term 'Bushi', was given to the ancient class of Japanese soldiers that were decendant of traditional warrior families. The term "Do", translates as "way". Therefore, "Budo" is known as "The Way of Combat" (Martial Arts) and "Bushido" is known as "The Way of the Warrior".

The 'Bushido' was a moral code of principles that developed through the Samurai (military) class of Japan. As with all moral codes throughout human history, the Bushido was heavily influenced by the prevailing religions of the time (in this case; Zen and Confucianism). The term Bushido came into use in the 16th century and it's content varied and changed. It grew and evolved as the standards and status of the Samurai class evolved.

Since the code was developed under a Japanese feudal system, it contains elements that many westerners in todays 'peaceful' times have difficulty relating to. It's core elements have remained unchanged throughout history and it's primary principles are not dissimilar to the ethics of chivalary as promoted by the european medieval knights.

The Bushido emphasises; loyalty, self sacrifice, justice, wisdom, honesty, a sense of shame, refined manners, purity, modesty, frugality, martial spirit, honor and affection.

Today, the term Budo has come to encompass both the martial way (physical) of Budo and the code of ethics (spiritual) promoted by the Bushido. It is in this sense, that I have choosen to follow my Budo.

"With great power... ...comes great responsibility". This is a line taken from the Spiderman comics. It is the advice that was passed to Peter Parker. A simple 'code of conduct' that allowed him to keep his 'abilities' in check and use them for the good of the world around him. The Samurai lived in a world where physical conflict was a reality and, for the most part, they kept themselves in check with Bushido.

Of course, today's western world is no feudal system but the possiblity of physical conflict is an everyday reality. I believe that it is useful to be physically prepared for such encounters. I believe that the world can benefit from adherence to a moral code of conduct, with the highest values, that is independant of religious obligation. For me, Budo has become a neccessary tool for survival in the modern world.

It is my belief that a martial artist that does not undertand and accept both sides of the Budo coin - the martial way and it's codes of conduct - possesses no coin at all. Rather, this person has attained nothing of value and has failed to grasp the essence of Budo.

Click Here to Read: Why? Part III

- The Martial Arts as an Element of Budo
- Social Circle

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