OKINAWAN GOJU-RYU PRECEPTS

The founder of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. Miyagi Chojun, was bestowed with the title of "Bushi", or gentleman warrior. That is, Miyagi Sensei, as a warrior, is worthy of special mention in the history of our country and Karate Do. While also deserving, as a human being, The honorary title of Teacher. Miyagi Sensei would always, in extremely simple language, explain "bujutsu". or martial arts, and talk about the way people should live and about the order of Nature. He was an austere seeker of Truth who, through the training of martial arts, searched for how human beings should be. As people who have received Bushi Miyagi’s discipline, or who now succeed to his legacy, we must be aware that Sensei is always with us and severely discipline ourselves and continue training. We should regard our training as a diamond, at first rough and dull (un-shining) But with hard, austere, and relentless training (or polishing) our techniques will begin to shine. Even after this is achieved, we must not become lazy and discontinue training or that diamond will once again become dull. It needs constant polishing to stay sharp and bright. We should apply this philosophy not only to the training of our karate techniques, but also to the development of our hearts and minds.

We therefore take the words of our Sensei to heart as the precepts of Goju-Ryu and recite them here: -

1. It should be known that secret principles of Goju-Ryu exist in the "Kata". "Kata' or forms are not simply an exhibition of term, they are concrete manifestations of techniques that can be transformed at any time to any form at will and in which the essence of Karate has assumed a definite form. You should realize that Kata is a crystallization of the essence of Karate, and train hard with the mind of a beginner. You should not neglect this kind of ( kata ) training as something simple, rustic (primitive) or un-meaningful. for it is only through them that you will reach Gokui. the essential teachings
2. Goju-Ryu Karate-Do in a manifestation within one's own-self of the harmonious accord of the universe. As supple as a willow, as solid as Mount Tai (mountain of Chinese poetry). It is when the two extremes of hard and soft are wholly united as one body that the unshakable form of the elemental harmony of Heaven and Earth will evolve This harmony of hard and soft can be equated with the order of Nature and the oneness of the Universe. Through the Way of Goju Ryu Karate Do we will be able to express the harmony of nature within ourselves 3. The Way of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do is to seek the Way of Virtue. In Goju Ryu Karate Do. Through training the body and the spirit, we try to cultivate the ideal human nature of physical and spiritual union. Originally, in the way of strategy, there was the concept "to win", but to win on account of Virtue is the ultimate goal. Therefore, anyone who aspires to this way must not forget the Chinese character " "Nin”, or to endure, heighten one's own virtue. Master the strategy of winning without fighting and seek the ultimate secret.