April 2004 Newsletter

THE ORIGINS OF THE ISSHIN-RYU CODES OF KARATE - - edited by Sensei Tom Saunders, 6th Dan, Isshin Ryu Karate

The "Eight Precepts" are a form of literature called "Kambun" known throughout the East. There are three adaptations of the 'precepts' known in modern times. The first source comes from a once secret document passed on to Okinawan Karate Masters, known as the "Bubishi." This book’s origin may be traced to the Shaolin Temple(s) of China, known for the introduction of martial arts into the teachings of the monastery. Many Okinawans are known to have studied martial arts from students of the Shoalin, or at the actual site of the place(s) in China. The legend of the Shaolin's adaptation to martial arts postulates that Bodidharma the founder of Zen Bhuddism taught exercises to the Chinese monks around the year 640 A.D. There is no telling how old the 'Eight Precepts' could be or where they actually came from, beyond legend.

Precepts or “Codes” are short statements something like parables. They are statements meant to be allegorical, but most important they are to be used as 'applied phrophetics.' The precept is a statement that can be applied through its own wisdom. Precepts are demonstrable, and self evident in their nature, therefore they become tools of wisdom in the past, the present, and the future. The sources are: (A.) "The Bible of Karate, Bubishi,' Patrick McCarthy, Tutle, (1995) "The Eight Precepts of Quanfa" page 159, 160." (B.) The second version of the 'Eight Precepts' are from Master Guchin Funakoshi's book, "Karate-Do Kyohan" page 248., (1973) Kondasha Int. Funakohi calls the 'Eight Precepts,' "Eight important phrases of karate." (C.) The third set of the precepts are a generally accepted version by Tatsuo Shimabuku, founder of Isshin Ryu Karate. This set can be found in a number of sources: “ Karate, The Ultimate Fighting Art," Long/McGhee, Isshin-Ryu Productions, (1997), Isshin Ryu Glossary of Terms and Ideas, Saunders/Isshinkai, 2002. "Karate Code."

• First Precept: A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth.

• Second Precept: The Blood Circulating Is Similar To The Moon And Sun

• Third Precept: The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft.

• Fourth Precept: The body must be able to change motion at any time.

• Fifth Precept: The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.

• Sixth Precept: A person's unbalance is the same as a weight.

• Seventh Precept: The eye must see all sides.

• Eighth Precept: The ear must hear in all directions.

These precepts are meant not only to apply to the practice of karate, but applied to everyday life of the martial artist. Each precept is meant to be in harmony with the other precepts. Not only do they convey a wisdom for each one, they 'harmonize' as a set to form a framework of perception.

The first precept, a person’s heart is similar to the heaven and earth. Man learns not only to become one with heaven and earth, but one with the precepts. Consistent with this idea is the concept of the end becoming the beginning, the first is the last, etc. This is not dualism because the concept of man, heaven, earth. The theory postulates man's 'blood' connection with the earth, and moon, and how they circulate. Man in conjunction of heaven and earth, as a man in rhythm with the syzgetic earth and universe. The second precept, the manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft. Hard, and soft, represent to the martialist the dualism of yin and yang, as known today in general terms of dualism In other terms, man breathes with the universe. The third precept, the body should be able to change motion at any time. This speaks to physical action but should not be thought of as out of the synergy of the set of precepts. This also applies to the next precept, which is also seemingly directed toward physical action, but may well apply to other aspects of learning and acting. The fourth precept is the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself. We can see that the precepts differ in that seems to include a fighting wisdom that might be applicable to many aspects of life. The consideration is clear that distance and position are applicable to balance and the maintenance of the self for the martialist. Again this precept would apply to far more than fighting. The fifth precept, is a person's unbalance is the same as a weight. Balance in theory is a self-evident subject of study. Act in accordance with time and change. In fighting, like living, balance has to be a major consideration in all decisions, and actions. The sixth precept the eye must see all sides. This explains the method of perception for all martial aspects and applying any art. This precept speaks to vision and being aware of everything around you. We must be able to see and interpret the good and the bad and act appropriately. The seventh precept, the ear must hear in all directions. When one cannot see clearly, the sense of hearing must take over. At times we hear things before we see them clearly.

These precepts are a part of the people and practice of karate. Whatever aspects of belief, perception or knowledge of the universe the hundreds or thousands of karate-ka that have adapted these principles. They can attest to their inner workings of everyday life and martial practice. Sensei Advincula, who trained a great deal with said that Master Tatsuo Shimabuku spoke of the use of these concepts in respect to the actual practice of karate and the 'kata,' Sanchin. Master Tatsuo Shimabuku said " we should practice sanchin for health and fitness. Just as the blood circulating in our bodies is similar to the cycle of the moon and sun (sun and moon.) Both are never-ending cycles. Just as the blood supplies needed nutrients and oxygen to our body then we should constantly practice sanchin. By performing sanchin kata the heart pumps blood through the blood vessels into the lungs bringing needed fresh oxygen which is passed throughout the body. . . . In this process, metabolic waste products are removed and the body is rejuvenated. For sanchin kata is a breathing exercise (kikou ‘chi kung’) which also cultivates chinkuchi (combination of balance, strength, breathing and focus). The sun and moon are the same as the yin and yang the cosmic dual forces and a deficiency of either principle can manifest disorder in the body and in the case of the solar system havoc. Both sun and moon are in balance and coexist and should they become unbalanced and lose harmony, they become unsound and both may cease to exist. This is the same should you stop practicing sanchin for health and fitness, the body would cease to exist. Karate is sanchin and sanchin is karate, we should never stop training." Through the practice of karate that the 'Gokui' is reflected in all the aspects of life, mind, spirit, and body. The written precepts come alive within us, if we adapt them. The transcendence and development of those who train in martial arts, karate, know that the experience shows the utility of adapting the precepts in all aspects of life. The precepts live within the spirit. To paraphrase the great martial artist, Musashi, "the sword, the weapon is the soul."

As karate skill grows, so do the aspects of perception, and the aspects of using 'the four levels of learning' or 'knowledge. "The" explanation of spirituality becomes self evident in the practice of the martial arts and karate’s codes. With knowledge comes enlightenment, and personal growth.

Remember: Things start happening when you come to know that you know, because other people know that you know!

 "Rabbi Yaakov Salomon tells the story of the lawyer arguing a case for his guilty client, who was on trial for murder. The one challenge in the prosecution's case was that the body had never been found. However, the abundance of expertly presented circumstantial evidence was more than compelling. Everyone in the courtroom, jurors included, knew that the man was guilty-so in his closing argument, the clever defense attorney decided to go for broke. He pointed grandly toward the courtroom doors and declared, "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: In exactly 60 seconds, the so-called corpse, the man you believe to be dead, is going to come walking in right through those very doors. We can being counting now.

The time ticked by: one second, two seconds, three seconds, ten seconds, 20 seconds, 45 seconds, 55 seconds, 56, 57, 58, 59.and then, at exactly the one-minute mark, in walked. Nobody at all. Certainly not the corpse.

The lawyer addressed the puzzled jury: "Ladies and gentlemen-I apologize. I told you something that obviously did not come true. However the mere fact that you looked at the doors as you did showed me-and shows you-that you had some measure of doubt. And of course, if you have any doubt, any doubt at all, you must-you must return a verdict of Not Guilty." And with a triumphant flourish, he returned to his seat.

 The jury went into deliberations-and just five minutes later came back out to render their verdict. The foreman stood up, faced the judge, and said they declared the defendant guilty! The defense attorney was enraged. "How could you?!" he demanded. "I saw all of you watching that door!"

 The foreman replied, "Yes, sir, you are correct: we were, in fact, watching the door. But we were also watching you and your client-and you did not watch the door. Your client did not watch the door, not even for a moment. And that's because you both knew there was not a chance in the world that anyone would be walking through it."

The lesson? Don't expect anyone else to believe something you don't believe yourself!"

Class Payment Update Reminder

A number of people are confused about the monthly dues schedule or have not remembered that there is a change in class dues. Please refer to the following or the chart on the information center for future payments. Please pay the first week of each month to help us be better able to work with you or your child during class.

For One Student:

• 1 class per week is $45.00 per month.

• 2 classes per week $60.00 per month.

• 3 classes per week $70.00 per month

Some months have 4 or 5 weeks so the months with 5 weeks. You win with and extra week on whomever made the calendar!

• Additional family members have a $10.00 reduction each month.

• We still have the option to pay for three month increments. See Sensei or the chart.

• Remember we accept Visa & Master Card.

• If you or your child will miss a class. It is your responsibility to call the dojo or you may not make up the missed session.

Our benefit karate tournament is April 25th. Register early and sign up to help the day of the event.