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EXPLANATION OF
TENETS
Needless to say, the success or failure of Taekwon-Do
training depends largely on how one observes and
implements the tenets of Taekwon-Do which should serve as
a guide for all serious students of the art.
Courtesy (Ye Ui)
Tae Kwon-Do students
should attempt to practice the following elements of
etiquette:
To promote the
spirit of mutual concessions
To be ashamed of one’s vice, contempting that of
others
To be polite to one another
To encourage a sense of justice
To distinguish the Instructor from student and senior
from junior
Integrity (Yom Chi)
In Tae Kwon-Do the
word integrity means being able to distinguish right
from wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel
guilt. Listed are some examples where integrity is
lacking:
The instructor who
misrepresents themselves and their art by presenting
improper techniques to their students because of a lack of
knowledge or apathy.
The student who
misrepresents themselves by “fixing” breaking
materials before demonstrations.
The Instructor who
hides bad techniques with luxurious training halls and
false flattery to his students.
The student who
requests rank from an Instructor, or attempts to purchase
it.
The student who
gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
The Instructor that
teaches and promotes his art for materialistic gains.
Perseverance (In
Nae)
There is an old
oriental saying; “patience leads to virtue to
merit”. One can make a peaceful home by being patient
100 times. Certainly happiness and prosperity are most
likely brought to the patient person. To achieve
something, whether it is a higher degree or the
perfection of a technique, one must set his goal and
then constantly persevere. One of the most important
secrets in becoming a leader of Taekwon-Do is to
overcome every difficulty by perseverance.
Self-Control (Kuk
Chi)
This tenet is
extremely important inside and outside the Do-Jang,
whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in
one’s personal affairs. A loss of self-control in
sparring can prove disastrous to both student and
opponent. An inability to live and work within one’s
capability, or sphere, is also a lack of self-control.
Indomitable
Spirit (Beakjul Boolgool)
“Here lie 300
who did their duty”. A simple epitaph for one of the
greatest acts of courage known to mankind. Although
facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his
300 Spartans at Thermoplae showed the world the meaning
of indomitable spirit. It is shown when a courageous
person and his principles are pitted against
overwhelming odds. A serious student of Taekwon-Do will
at all times deal with the belligerent, without any fear
or hesitation, with indomitable spirit regardless of
whosoever or however many the number may be.
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