Why it is important!

I am proselytizing a good bit about researching and getting the language, terms and characters "correct" in our practice, dojo and training discussions. I do this so as to "get it all right" when I post, discuss or practice/teach about the systems that are martial or budo. I am studying the cultural code words of China right now as a way to further my studies of those cultural beliefs that are Okinawan, Japanese and the mother of all Chinese where I came across three particular cultural code words that would "show" you how it can all get muddied.

诚 - Judging Your Sincerity - Cheng (Chung)
诚 - Personal Loyalty First - Cheng (Chung)
崇 - Revering the Dead - Chong (Chung)

In the first two instances above the characters are the same, the meaning different and now the fest-DE-resistance the spoken words are the same for these two. The third shows how difficult it can get as the character is different from the other two, the meaning is different and the third spoken word sounds the same but is spelled different.

It is just difficult and if we truly wish to gain at least a fundamental understanding of the culture and beliefs of those who came before it is well worth the effort. I can say, for myself, that this journey has been fun, is fun and is enlightening. I have discovered meaning in things I practice(d) that left me wondering and answered once unanswerable questions.

Totally "cool!"