The Five Tenets of Taekwondo

Taekwondo incorporates five Tenets which it instils into its students:

Courtesy: Courtesy to both one's superiors and one's subordinates.  In Taekwondo there is obviously a strong amount of respect for authority and one's teachers, but there is also a strong emphasis upon courtesy towards those of lesser grades or status.  After all if teachers had no respect for their students, how on earth could students ever have or learn respect for their teachers?  In a practical sense Courtesy is learnt from the point of view of respecting and acknowledging all other students in the Do'Jang (training hall), regardless of grade, ability or personal dislikes.  In a grander sense Taekwondo also teaches the student that the best way to live life and appreciate it to the full is to have courtesy and respect for those around you.

"When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war. " - Confucius

Integrity: The Integrity that Taekwondo teaches the student is slightly different to some western ideas and interpretations of integrity. Whereas integrity is often seen as a thing that is observed by others within a person, the Korean/Taekwondo interpretation is a much more personal one.  It involves a student realising from within what is right or wrong, and acting accordingly. This integrity does not require others to acknowledge that you are acting correctly, merely the determination of the student to always act correctly regardless of circumstance.  In a practical sense, a student learns from really wishing to correct a move or kick from within – seeking guidance where necessary – and not merely wishing to look ‘flashy' or sound ‘tough'.  In a grander sense the same is true, the student will attempt to act in accordance with what is ‘right' in any given situation, learning from his betters or elders how to act for the best along the way. 

"Act with honour, but retain humility.

By acting according to the way of the Tao,

set others an example.

By retaining the integrity

of the inner and external worlds,

true selfhood is maintained,

and the inner world made fertile."

 - Lao Tzu (Tao Te Jing Ch. 28)

Self Control: Self Control is the most crucial of the five tenets. Think before you act, and do no harm to others.  Do not act out of anger or revenge, and always do what is in the best interests of others. The Taekwondo practitioners new found confidence and self-respect acquired through training helps the student to have the confidence to walk away from a fight, be it physical or not.

"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways." -Buddha

Perseverance: Being realistic about setting one's goals, making plans and then carrying them out to fruition is something that people today are finding it harder and harder to do.  With changing work environments, an uncertain job-market, and very few practicable pursuits to follow – it seems more than ever our generation just can't be bothered.  It's not that our generation is lazy, it's just we have no experience of being able to directly engage in something long term and reap reward and benefit from it.  Thus it is now more than ever that Martial Arts are important in this respect as they allow someone to make a commitment - whether it is to get fit, get a hobby, defend themselves or get their black belt – make plans in order to succeed in their goals, and then achieve them.  From Taekwondo you will learn that most things are possible, if you are realistic – and if you persevere.  In my experience, I have found that people are usually indeed capable of so much more than they ever thought they were, when they persevere long enough.

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized." – Sun Tzu

Indomitable Spirit: This is the most important tenet to myself, and others at the UKC-Taekwondo club. It has become somewhat of an unofficial motto for UKC Taekwondo.  The Taekwondo Club has had some set backs over the years but has always survived and is currently getting stronger than ever, this we would put down simply to indomitable spirit!

Indomitable Spirit is a hard tenet to grasp, but at the same time once understood it is the easiest to ‘feel' and strive for.  It is the ability, capacity and drive to be the best, no matter what obstacle is in the way. Broken down we can see ‘Indomitable' as being unable to be overcome or undefeatable, no matter what the situation. ‘Spirit' can be seen as our spirit, personality, soul and, in the Do'Jang, as team spirit. 

Any time you have seen or heard of someone being beaten down, attacked, oppressed, etc… but having got back up to fight, or continue to strive on despite their pain – that is Indomitable Spirit.  The Civil Rights Movement in America in the 1950s showed remarkable Indomitable Spirit as a whole, with numerous examples – the first that springs to mind for me is the scenes of the peaceful protestors in Birmingham, Alabama – who resisted provocation such as being beaten physically by the police and having rabid Police dogs set upon them, they continued to demonstrate peacefully in furtherance of their cause.  It is because of the Indomitable Spirit of the Civil Rights movement and prominent figures such as Rosa Parks, the Little Rock Nine and Martin Luther King Junior that they eventually won their social victory.

I'm sure you can think of your own examples, personal or historical, which highlight the importance and power of this idea.

"Fall Seven Times, Stand up Eight."   - Japanese Proverb

Mike Day
UKC Taekwondo Captain 2006-7
3rd January, 2007