A tenet is an opinion, principle or doctrine that a person holds or
maintains as true.
The five tenets of Taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance,
self-control, and indomitable spirit should serve as a guide for all
serious students of the art.
Courtesy:
Taekwondo students should attempt to practice the following elements
of etiquette:
1. To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.
2. To be ashamed of one's vice, contempting that of others.
3. To be polite to one another.
4. To encourage the sense of justice.
5. To distinguish the instructor from student and senior from junior.
Integrity
In Taekwondo, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than
the one usually presented in Webster's dictionary. One must be able to
define right and wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt.
Listed are some examples, where integrity is lacking:
1. The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting
improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or
apathy.
2. The student who misrepresents himself by "fixing" breaking materials
before demonstrations.
3. The instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious training
halls and false flattery to his students.
4. The student who requests rank from an instructor, or attempts to
purchase it.
5. The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of
power.
6. The instructor that teaches and promotes his art for materialistic
gains.
Perseverance
There is an old Asian saying "Patience leads to virtue or merit,"
"One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 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 then constantly persevere. Robert Bruce
learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistent efforts of a lowly
spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him
to free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important
secrets in becoming a leader in Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty
by perseverance.
Self-Control
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside of the do-jang,
whether conducting oneself in free-sparring or in one's personal affairs.
A loss of self-control in free-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
"Here lies 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 Thermopylae 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 Taekwondo will at all times be modest and honest. If
confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without any
fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of
whosoever and however many the number may be.
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