The Tenets of Taekwon Do

[KickChick]

Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and Indomitable Spirit are the five tenets of Taekwon Do.

But how many students are encouraged to learn them and their meanings??

Are these tenets only observed in class at the dojang ... how many of us abide by these tenets outside this environment ... like at home and at work.

Ever think that if everyone followed these tenets of Taekwon Do that the whole world would be a better place?:Angel:

I'm thinking that if we follow and stress the teachings and principles of these tenets ... (considering that TKD extends to nearly all countries) we may be one step closer to living together with true respect and harmony.

Idealistic aren't I?? :)

[TKD]

If we all followed the tenets, yes, we would be much closer to "world Peace"(basically). However, the chances of that, are about as much as an eagle flying at a height of 1 mile dropping a turd right in the eye of Sadam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden. That is to say, none.

Wish I could put it more delicately, but, it's the truth.

[TheBorderer]

Originally posted by KickChick
Idealistic aren't I?? :)

Nothing wrong at all with being idealistic KickChick :) I would tend to agree the world possibily would be a better place, even tho I guess I tried to follow something as close to the tenets before I started TKD (my parent's telling me the age old "do to others, as you want others to do to you..." etc), but I guess I maybe concentrate more, the lines in the International Oath "I Shall be a champion of freedom and justice" and "I shall build a more peaceful world", I do like (I like the philosphical stuff, I can at times be the 'deep and meaningful' type! :) ), and in a way make me feel to to TKD, as to also hopefully be a kind,helpful and good person (most of the time! :Angel: ), one could say to to have world peace everyone should do Tae Kwon Do! :D But seriously, thats the thing that is good in Martial Arts, especially Tae Kwon Do (seeing as its really the only art i know!), the promotion of such values, which can help us all live in a more peaceful world! Sure there wil be conflict from time to time, thats just the human condition, but I guess it defintely would be good if every MAist did their best to follow the codes of honur, etc, in that art.

Just my two pence(cents.... equivelent currency! :D) worth. :)

[Kaine]

true, if everyone did follow the tenets it would be a more peaceful world, however not everyone will, I do to the best of my abilitys, so I guess that's a start.

[Bigfoot]

We talk to our students just about every day about how the tenants affect them and the people around them. All are encourage to live by them. Many parents thank us for the use of them. If we didn't use them, I don't know how we would be able to teach martial arts safely/responsibly. The possibility of misuse would be too great.

[Chazz]

I used them in my classes every class. They were said before every class and explained to the younger kids. I like them and they were put into the ITF for a reason, It works.

[MandrilBorracho]

Hello, first time poster over here :)

IMHO, the problem with codes of honor in general, not just TKD's, is that, while they sound nice when said, they don't work for most people; traditionally (and i might be talking out of my rear end here, someone correct me if i'm wrong) codes such as the Bushido, or the western Chivalric code have been both an integral part of society, and exclusive, elitist attitudes; and even then, there were a large number of "code deviants", if you will, people who pledge to the code but don't exactly follow it; everyone's heard of the stories of rapes & cannibalism during the crusades, or traitorous ronin, for example. Nowadays, society's structure is quite diferent: we (as a species) no longer measure ourselves up with the "just & honorable", but with the succesful; higher purpose is no longer the goal. That causes the adoption & following of the codes to be fairly harder; i know that I, try to avoid it as I might, sometimes stray off the thin line of honorable behavior. And with harder codes & fewer payoffs, the people who manage to uphold the "Codes" are a minority, and as such, do not influence the course of human future as much as i'd like.

I guess that what i tried to say was, "of course everything would be better, but good luck trying to get everyone to respect the code; you're gonna need it :)". of course, it all came out sounding awfully similar to a rant.
Anyways, sorry for the screwy english; it's not my primary language.

[booksie_girl]

Your English is better than many peoples who post here and have English as thier primary language. Congratulations on learning English so well. Welcome to MAP Mandril. Sign in at the TKD check in on the TKD forum. Happy posting.

[Artikon]

Nice post Mandril, and welcome. I think though if we break down the TKD tenants into something we all can relate too we'll notice t isn't so hard to follow. You're right Courtesy, integrety, perserverence, self control, and indomitable spirit all sound nice when said together (bonus points for anyone who can guess which kwan these came out of) but I know for myself growing up as a young child these were all stressed to me . . . and my TKD career was very far away.

Courtesy, I'm sure everyone has been told to be polite at one point or another. I think this is courtesy in a nutshell.

Integrety, well be honest with yourself and others. I was always taught lieing was wrong, so I guess there's another tenent I was taught when I was young.

Perserverence, I have never heard of a parent tell a child to give up and do something else. I think this may have a little bit of a higher level on a TKD mindset but essentially that's what it is in my mind.

Self control, everyone practises this on a daily basis, when making decisions or choices. Should I accept the drugs from the bad man in black coming to the playground or should I not? Should I completely lose my mind on my co-worker when they insist on doing things wrong or should I calmly talk to them? I feel self control is the basis of decision making in our society. Especially with more choices offered to more people now.

Indomitable spirit. I take this as standing up for myself and my thoughts and rights at all times. Encompassing all the other tenants as well. This in my opinion is hard to achieve because to do this you must be very confident in yourself, and what you know and be able to stand up for it, however I also feel that one needs to be flexable enough to learn and grow and know when what they know may not be exactly right and being able to admit that to themselves.

All of these things I feel are very relevant to modern day society. And although not everyone practises these tenants the way TKD has laid them out, I know that deep down everyone is aware of them on some level Taekwondoin or not.

[Chazz]

Welcome to the MAP MandrilBorracho.
You are right, getting people to try to live by them are hard. But an instructor in inforce them in his/her class. By doing this, the hope is that they will not only have to use them in class but they might rub off on them in their normal out of class life.

[MandrilBorracho]

Artikon, while it's true that they are, in some way or another, taught in everyday life, it's often not enough to follow it loosely; one should champion the values of the code, otherwise your effort is lost in a sea of indifferent faces. And then's when the problem kicks in; IMHO, "championing" is akin to tightrope walking between mindless fanaticism & meaningless lip service, and as such requires dedication, understanding of the code and, above all, caring about the code itself. I guess that what i'm trying to say is, you just can't force the code into a kid (or anyone else, for that matter), he has to adopt it.
And there's where our society fails; we talk about it, but all we can do is try and spark the interest of those around us, either by teaching, or by example; not that's a bad thing, of course, but it makes the system dependent on the individual. And, sadly, not every individual is as dedicated and righteous as one would wish :)

[Chazz]

Thats why you surround someone with good morals, the hopes are that they will pick them up. Just like a kid will pick up bad morals that he/she see day to day.

[Thomas]

Originally posted by KickChick
Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and Indomitable Spirit are the five tenets of Taekwon Do.

But how many students are encouraged to learn them and their meanings??

Are these tenets only observed in class at the dojang ... how many of us abide by these tenets outside this environment ... like at home and at work.


I really think that these ideas can come across in a Taekwondo school, especially when the master and instructors follow them and enforce them. I personally think that many students of martial arts end up emulating their instructors and will use them as a role model for their behavior.

From a personal point of view, as a teacher in a local public school, I see a big difference in the way students who study martial arts tend to act in school, at the dojang, and in public. I personally see them as trying to be more respectful and courteous... as well as tending to improve their grades and accomplishments in school. (I get lots of good feedback from their parents as well.)

I think that for the tenets to work, we as instructors and studenst of TKD must be willing to follow them. People who look to us a srole models (and the people we look to as role models) must set the example. We cannot expect to change the world, but we can influence a few people.

[Chazz]

Im glad to hear you say that Thomas, it sound like there are quite a few people that dont think they work. Im glad to see another school using them.

[KickChick]

I am also pleased!!

Seems to me that TKD is the martial art that is experiencing the tension between the traditional approach and the modern approach to martial arts training.

Don't get me wrong....change is good.

However, there is a point when change no longer signifies improvement to the martial art. The word "art" in martial art refers to the mental and spiritual development a person experiences while practicing the physical aspect. If the spiritual and mental aspects of a martial art are ignored, it can no longer be considered a martial art.
Does it not instead become a martial "sport" ?

I have found that the majority of modern TKD schools focus almost entirely on fighting skills producing exceptional fighters, but they disregard the most "basic tenet" of traditional TKD .... the perfection of character.

[Taeho]

IMHO the tenets of TKD are vital in keeping our minds and hearts in sync with the true spirit of TKD. I personally live by these tenets in my daily life. My school stresses the importance of the tenets and we must learn them and their true meanings in ordser to advance.

I am rounding out my first year as a TKD student and owe alot to the way of life that is TaeKwon-Do.

I created a little website to give something back to TKD. You can check it out at http://www.tkdpalace.cjb.net

TKDshane Ÿ

[Pyry_Uotila]

i agree with you, that if people would live according to the tenets the world would be a better place. unfortunately, many people don't seem to understand the meaning of the tenets.

i find myself living according to the tentets anyway i can, in do jang and outside in other situations.

[wuchang79]

I've tried to Live by what I teach and have been taught as well. Remember that you train the mind as well as the body. most people are good @ heart. . give them some basic, all-purpose guidelines and it works out for the best.

Aims to Achieve:
MODESTY
SELF-CONTROL
PERSEVERENCE
INDOMINABLE SPIRIT

Pledge:
To train both MIND and BODY through Tae Kwon Do
To promote a friendly realtionship amongst ALL people
To be a couragous opponent against untruths
To follow the rules of Tae Kwon Do and my instructor

[flyingblackbelt]

i absolutely agree, i am also a student of chung do kwan and i think that if eveybody was a black belt there would be no wars. I know it sounds a little corny and probably also a little conceded but ask yourself this, how often do you hear about two blackbelts fighting eachother on the street? how many times have you gotten yourself out of a situation where there was possibly going to be a fight? If the world followed the tenets of martial arts then there would be more respect, more comradery.

[Chazz]

Is great to hear that but here is a qestion, Do you think that there is a tenet that is more important than the other. Try ranking them in in order of importance (to you)

[Artikon]

I don't think you can. The tenents I believe build on each other. How can you be honest without being polite? Practice self control without a never give up attitude? The indomitable spirit I believe is the culmination of all the tenents and you can't achieve it without first practicing the other 4.

Now here's a question. Kinda goes along the line of this same idea. I'm not sure if this is unique to my school or not, but is anyone familar with an idea called growth rings? Focus, concentration, self control, self knowledge, self discpline, self confidence.

[Chazz]

Thats the was i feel. I was asked that question a long time ago and that was the answer i gave,

Growth Rings?? Havent heard of it. Tell more about it.

[Artikon]

Growth rings are a progressive learning experience of self awareness.

Focus is the ability to physically zone in on a goal and set your eyes on it.

Once you can do that concentration is the mental ability to zone in on that goal and is the culmination of focus.

Self control is the ability to use both your focus and concentration to begin the intial stage of learning, once you have achieved to focus and concentration. It's a self realization that you have the first two and now you can coax yourself to do what needs to be done to learn. This moves you onto the next "ring"

Self knowledge is a huge part of self awareness once you have achieved the first three. It makes you aware that you have a goal, or task to accomplish.

Self discpline is the ability to go after this goal now that you know you have it in you and the tools to do so.

And finally self confidence is the final step. You've conquered your goal and now you can feel confident that you've learned or achieved your goal and that you will be able to take the experience away and always have this confidence and knowledge.

I think these growth rings are really very important and if you watch the progression of a student you can actually see this happening. Take a white belt learning a front kick for the first time. They first set themself on getting the mechanics right. Then they begin to understand what it is they are doing. From there they begin training their body to perform the kick properly, and then realize what it ACTUALLY is they are doing hence application. Once at that stage they practice practice and practice some more until they can do it in there sleep. And voila they finally are confident they can do a front kick.

[Chazz]

WOW i like that. That makes you think. Im glad you told me about this. I havent seen it put like that before.

[stoppy]

I think the only way to train, is by the tenants of TKD ..

The UK is going through a discipline baron spell at the moment and it comes to TKD and other MA and Sports Intructors to put some back into the younger generation. The tenants of TKD help the student and instructor alike in afirming the bonds between them.

[craigwarren]

Originally posted by stoppy
I think the only way to train, is by the tenants of TKD ..

The UK is going through a discipline baron spell at the moment and it comes to TKD and other MA and Sports Intructors to put some back into the younger generation. The tenants of TKD help the student and instructor alike in afirming the bonds between them.

Good point, not quite correct in practise. Young kids can be taugh discipline by the tenents and most will follow them in the dojang, but i've noticed that there are LOTS of them that think they stop at the dojang door. They are rude and very nasty outside, and quite often TKD has given them a sence of physical superiority.

I think someone who follows the tennents is a practitioner of TKD, but i doubt if they really change any kids in terms of disciplin, the ones who are courtiouse and have good integrity are 9 times out of 10 the ones who would have been with or without TKD.

[Chazz]

well is they are kids then you can help put a stop to it as well. The school i started in had a system that they sent a chart to the parents to fill out. They would fill out if they did what they needed to at home, if they did their homework, if they got into trouble. If they got into fights, didnt do their homework, they wouldnt test. if they didnt change they didnt stay in the class. so if you are not worried about loosing a student then you may want to try this.

This also puts the idea that your school doesnt take students who dont want to learn and be civil. so it could be a good thing.

[craigwarren]

by kids i mean 12-16 not under 10.

[flyingblackbelt]

chazz, my school did something similar for a while to try and get people to practice. the problem was the parents were just filling them out when the kids didnt do anything and then wanted their children to test when they quite obviously werent ready. It ended up being more ofa pain then anything else. People always come in to the school and expect to be handed their blackbelt because they show up to the lesson, quite often in body only mind you. No one wants to work for it.

[Chazz]

yeah ide say that would be a pain. Ours worked out well from what i remember but that was a long time ago.

[neryo_tkd]

good question Kickchick. The world would be definitely a better place if people, at least, thought about those tenets seriously. I explained them to my classes. of course, you have to use a different approach when teaching olders and another one when teaching children. but unfortunately nowadays, we are all witnesses that this world is full of people who don't give a **** about them. it's really frustrating when people who are martial arts instructors themselves take them for granted. they don't even mention them in classes. i have also been to martial arts schools to which classes the instructor doesn't even show up. the most experienced person in the class is then in charge. it's ok if it happens once or twice, if the instructor really couldn't make it, but often and very often, come on.... just think about the testing fees. like i said, frustrating and worrying!!!

[TheBorderer]

I know I'm 'digging up' this thread, but I think there is something that I thought I'd say with you TKD people on MAP... Let's say I have taken a differnt spin on some of the meanings of the tenets of TKD.

The one I have found to have the biggest new 'spin' on it is Self Control. I was more inclined to think on it as control of one's temper and anger, the abillity to make sure you don't use really excessive force while sparring somone be it in class or at a competition. That kinda thing, but a couple of days ago I decided to have a look at my coloured belt book after being in a sparring match in which I took quite a few knocks and a nice reverse turning kick to the head which could have knocked me out or broken my left jaw! (luckily my jaw is fine! :)).

I'd say that mentally I was (maybe still a wee bit) 'beat up'(pardon the pun) about it and so I looked at the book and it said :

Self Control
The abillity to excercise control over ones actions and emotions.

To which I begin to think of that tenet in a more 'complete' way. Yeah sure "self control" over 'exessive force" etc, but also self control in the fact that of not being to down on yourself and have the 'negative' thoughts eat at you, and realising all the good things that you have done (such as in my case getting to green belt and not being knocked out by that turning kick! :D). It's something I am still tryin to my best to learn (as those who know me would agree with I guess) ....

I could easily go on, I know sometimes I don't feel like I have persevereance or indomitable spirit to continue with training (I definately felt like that in Wales) or the other things in my life that I do apart from my Computer Science degree and Tae Kwon Do, but somehow I manage to 'soldier on' and live to fight another day(cliche' central... sorry). Sometimes I surprise myself(if not others!). Maybe this what I may later look back to be some form of a 'turning point', but only time will tell...

Funny the things you can learn from sparring and/or defeat isn't it? :)

[Tosh]

Originally posted by TheBorderer
Sometimes I surprise myself(if not others!). Maybe this what I may later look back to be some form of a 'turning point', but only time will tell...

"Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible: not to have run away." - Dag Hammarskold

At this point I'd like mention that the kick Andy took on the chin was a belter :o I've seen bigger and "harder" guys go down like a sack of spuds when being nailed with a reverse turning kick on the chin. At the very least you can go home happy knowing is that you havn't got a glass jaw ;).

Since passing by red belt the traditional warning point about self control ;)) I came to my own conclusions about this. Self control, for me was about fear. Mostly fear of the unknown that lies ahead. I sometimes would find myself in bed (regular insomniac) wondering about the future. My career, my relationships, my family. I thought of the day, which is ineviatable, that they will no longer be with me. That ultimately I will cease to be. This used to send me into panic attacks...... I wouldn't be able to "switch off" mt thought processes for any length of time......I made me quite ill.

Recently, (over the past 4 years) I've realised that this is the way of the world. There is little I can do to slow everything down or stop it from happening. My job here is to deal with each new situation that comes...... no matter how challenging.... no matter how frightening... face my demons.

After all, once you know what your fears look like, it becomes that little bit less scary. Then you can start working towards control your fear and slaying your own demons by being "in control".

;) , keep it up Andy.

[WorldChampTKD]

I agree with you KickChick. We're taught the tenets in my class, but i agree, and i dont think they're emphasized enough. When I have my own class someday I'm going to stress those 5 tenets.

[Yang, Dae-han]

Gang,

If religion and their teachings haven't brought peace and harmony, not much else stands a chance.

You'd be happy to know, however, that my 4th dan essay was in fact about bringing back the overt teachings of the tenets and philosophies of TKD.

Cheers,

Ryst

[Sackett]

The Tenets of Tae Kwon Do

Courtesy: To be thoughtful and considerate of others. Taekwondo students and instructors should be polite, and show consideration for others.

Integrity: To be honest and good. Taekwondo practitioners should live by a code of moral values and principles

Perseverance: To never give up in the pursuit of one's goals. Students should welcome challenges, because challenges cause us to grow and improve.

Self-Control: To have control of your body and mind. A Taekwondo student should practice controlling his actions and reactions.

Indomitable Spirit: To have courage in the face of adversity. A Taekwondo student should never be dominated by, or have his spirit broken by another.

[Sackett]

I'm totally psyched to have found this thread to resurrect. I've really been thinking about it recently.

Here's my question: Do any of the tenants particularly resonate with you? If so, why? Also, has that changed over time?

[Sackett]

For me, courtesy is kind of basic. As is integrity.

If I have one I struggle with, it would be self control.

My favorite is indomitable spirit. I just like the idea it.