Philosophy
The true Karate should make a Karateka as a wholesome person, by developing Body, Mind and Spirit simultaneously, through practice of Kihon the basic, Kumite the fighting and Kata to learn the movement and to learn the rhythm in karate and life. This practice teaches us to gain and give up control during the fight and in life too. This practice helps to focus the mind, control the speed and developing the strength simultaneously.
It is not mere a fighting Art of winning or losing. It is an Art to learn how to balance the mind during the period. Teach us how to be humble in winning and how to gain the mind and spirit when loosing and taking both situation as learning, as this learning is an endless process in every one’s life.
The traditional learning based firmly on the teachings of seven essential principles Zen
- seigi : The right decision and rectitude
2. yuki : Bravery and heroism
3.jin: Compassion and benevolence to all
4. reigi : Courtesy and right action
5. makoto: Truthfulness and utter sincerity
6. meiyo: Honor and glory
The wisdom, understanding and peaceful strength they promote, are some of karate’s greatest gifts to the martial world by the Japanese.
Master Funakoshi Gichin laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate, which form the foundations of the art. Within these twenty principles, based heavily on Zen, lies the philosophy of Karate.
1.Never forget: karate begins with rei and ends with rei (Rei means courtesy or respect, and is represented in karate by bowing)
2.There is no first attack in karate
3.Karate supports righteousness
4.First understand yourself, then understand others
5.The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying technique
6.The mind needs to be freed
7.Trouble is born of negligence
8.Do not think karate belongs only in the dojo
9.Karate training requires a lifetime
10.Transform everything into karate; therein lies its exquisiteness
11.Genuine karate is like hot water; it cools down if you do not keep on heating it
12.Do not think of winning; you must think of not losing
13.Transform yourself according to the opponent
14.The outcome of the fight depends on one’s control
15.Imagine one’s arms and legs as swords
16.Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies
17.Postures are for the beginner; later they are natural positions
18.Do the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter
19.Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body and the speed of the technique
20.Always be good at the application of everything that you have learned.
The Five Dojo Kun
Japanese developed the Five Dojo Kun, which everyone studying Karate commits to memory. With each practice session at the dojo, students kneel in the seiza position and repeat these five precepts out loud. This process reminds students of the right attitude, frame of mind and virtues to strive for both within the dojo, and outside.
1.Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto
Seek perfection of character
2. Makoto no michi o mamoru koto
Be sincere
3. Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto
Put maximum effort into everything you do
4. Reigi o omonzuru koto
Respect others
5. Kekki no yuu o imashimuru koto
Develop self-control
We the SIKA PRACTITIONERS strictly adhere to this traditions and it’s values.