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Budo
The Japanese word for martial art is “Budo.” BU means martial and DO is
the same as in Aikido, a word for Way or Path. The concept of DO is found
in many Japanese disciplines, from the more evidently physical forms such
as Judo, Karate-Do, Kendo and other martial forms, to practices such as Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) or Sado (the Japanese tea ceremony). In the
spirit of Budo you will find the concept of using a physical discipline to
create an outer form for spiritual training. The concept of using a
physical form of practice to serve a higher purpose is a very wonderful
part of Japanese culture: You use your chosen discipline to polish your
spirit, gain a better understanding of yourself, your relationship to the
world in which you live and the people you share this world with.
Inherent in the spirit of Budo is the concept of learning by doing.
Knowledge will come to you as you develop. Also inherent in Budo is a very
important concept: combat skills are to be used only as a last resort in
actual physical confrontations. Having the ability to defend yourself
gives you the confidence to choose your battles wisely. As a Budoka
(martial artist), protecting yourself or others, when all other options of
resolution have proven futile, should be the only wise choice.
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