karate based on 'correct conduct'

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Micheal Clarke Sensei, Shinseidokan Dojo blog article titled, “Correct Conduct …” All he says has relevance in karate but no more so than that last sentence where he said, “In truth, I think karate based on ‘correct conduct’ is now all but extinct!” That simple statement led me off into different territory and that is what this article is about, “Karate’s Correct Conduct!”

What do you think of when someone says ‘correct conduct’? I sometimes think it means something different from a standpoint, perspective and perception, of culture, beliefs and other learnings one achieves as they travel through life. It is like the ebb and flow of the tides, it changes the shoreline every cycle because it erodes, or changes, that shoreline accordingly and so should the study of karate and martial disciplines. 

What would you consider as traits of correct conduct, i.e., I would look to several distinctive aspects especially in regards to karate and martial disciplines.

Etiquette and why and how it is manifested.

Ethics.

Morals

You might be saying right now that correct conduct is governed by ‘ethics’ and you would be right because, generally speaking, correct conduct is how a society is run and it refers to the character and personality of its members and in the end it is about the social groups survival. They speak to members being of virtuous reliable character and who live by a code of conduct proper and moral to the social entity be it group, tribe or clan. It includs the morals of that group as well and its internal and external etiquette, i.e., the actions and deeds that inspire and lead the group but also others outside the group, tribe, clan or society. 

To make this work, the people of the social entity must be of reasoned, principled and existing practice where answers and mentoring are of a consistent, reasoned and ethical manner reflecting the highest moral stand and standing of the society, group, tribe or clan. At its very core are the basic values and the purpose of the group and its actions, deeds and other reflective constructs. It is about doing for the common good and survival of the tribe and about the difficult task of applying norms and standards and practices of an ever new and changing environment, circumstances and group dynamics and construct. 

When I think of karate, in particular, I think of the following creative endeavor as to why, how, and what I should study, train, practice and especially apply. Apply not just in the actions taken in applying the skills taught but in the skills beyond mere actions toward betterment of self, the group, the tribe, the clan and society - at ever level from family up to the entire society like the U.S.

In karate, derived from the ancient martial practices of Japan and China, there are the seven virtues of the Samurai, i.e., rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty and an addition I would add to make it eight - humbleness. 

Read here a more exhaustive rendering of a code of conduct for a modern practitioner: “The Code” Clarke Sensei is right, there are far too many training facilities that cater to things not geared to instill correct conduct, correct attitude and correct character of the practitioner. 

Hat tip (Ritsu-rei) to <Shinseidokan Dojo Blog by Michael Clarke Sensei> as the inspiration for this post.

Bibliography (Click the link)

“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)