SHIN SHIN MUGENDO

BUDO RELEVANCE

Too often in the martial arts we tend to think in terms of who can beat whom. The concept of, “Who is the toughest person?” has only limited meaning in true martial arts.

If we can accept a basic premise for martial arts, “The protection of people and the preservation of society”, one individual’s ability to defeat another has little meaning. How does two big, athletic young people fighting each other relate to a 100-pound woman defending herself against a 200-pound assailant? Moreover, how does a contest help someone keep their family and loved ones safe?

Self-defense in real life is not necessarily a contest of equals. Nor does it occur in a controlled environment. The reason for constant practice is to develop the skills required to respond effectively in any situation.

However, there is a certain emptiness in the martial arts if we don’t have a philosophy of our art. Teachers of old have left us with valuable philosophies that we should take seriously.

Karate’s Gichin Funakoshi has given us his “Dojo Kun”. This really encompasses true martial arts:
*Seek perfection of character
*Respect others
*Be faithful
*Endeavor
*Refrain from violent behavior

If we can live up to those precepts, we can consider ourselves true budoka.
—Ben Otake

There is a certain arrogance in believing that you are the ultimate arbiter in any situation.
If you have all the answers, your world is too small.
....Ben Otake

HUMANKIND SHOULD BE A DESCRIPTION!
....Ben Otake

If you resort to force, you have lost your argument.
....Ben Otake

One of the joys in life is learning something new or seeing something old in a new light.
I feel sorry for those who think they know everything.
....Ben Otake

IN SEARCH OF BUDO

Nowadays, almost any fighting method is labeled a martial art. Technically, I guess this is true. Fighting is martial. But how much of an art it is can be disputed. The goal with many fighting systems is to demonstrate how tough an individual one is. People just want to prove that they are the biggest and baddest. How beneficial is this to the rest of society? I personally believe that budo should be to preserve society and protect people. To this end, being “king of the hill” serves no maeningful purpose.

One person’s ability to defeat another depends upon the person’s skills. A bigger, stronger, more athletic individual will usually have the edge over his opponent. However, these traits are specific to each person. You cannot pass on such abilities to someone else. What CAN be passed on is knowledge. Knowledge can help another person to develope their own skills. In order to keep people safe, we don’t need to make the big, strong person into a better fighter. Instead, we need to find a way for each person to safely navigate the real world.

To be relevant as a self-defense, budo needs to undergo an honest evaluation of its techniques. Too often we become enamoured with flashy, showy techniques that may not even work. Budo must be grounded in reality. Beyond the physical, there is a deeper aspect to budo. Judo’s Jigoro Kano offered the axiom of ‘mutual welfare and maximum benefit’. Karate’s Gichin Funakoshi’s affirmation was to ‘seek perfection of character’. Both statements succinctly profess what should be the true aim of budo.
Ben Otake

Shin Shin Mugendo classes are held at Camarillo Shotokan, 1330 Flynn Rd., Ste. A,
Camarillo, CA, USA, weekly on Saturday mornings from 11:00 to 12:30.

FAILURE IS ONLY ONE STEP ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS.
....Ben Otake

From 2018

Yesterday I had an enjoyable day visiting and sharing knowledge with the Whipping Willow group. It’s quite rewarding to meet with people who are eager to add to their own storehouse of knowledge and to pass on what they learn. I am grateful for the opportunity to have taken part in the Winter Gathering and to interact with many of the gracious and enthusiastic participants.
Sensei Ben Otake

ONE PURPOSE FOR BUDO

I have previously expressed my belief that a major purpose for martial arts is to protect people and preserve society. In order to guard individuals’ safety, the best solution would be to keep them from having any physical confrontations. Obviously, this would not be possible. Situations would inevitably arise over which we had little or no control.

To prepare for such incidents, many of us have chosen to train under various martial arts systems. In order for self-defense methods to be effective, they must practice to deal with situations that really do occur. They must also employ techniques that enable a smaller person to defend against a bigger, stronger opponent. The disciplines that make this possible have been developed over many, many years. We need only to use these methods to make them relevant to our own time. Any system not based on solid principles will fail in the crucible of real life.

Although some of us do choose to practice a specific martial art, we should recognize that nearly all of us are warriors in one way or another. Persons involved in military services, law enforcement, medical personnel, emergency service, fire fighters, and others have obviously chosen professions dedicated to protecting the community. We should be aware that teachers and parents are also protectors.

In preserving society, we need to think seriously about the nature of the society that we wish to preserve. Communities are created for the well-being of its members. However, we should not merely seek to only maintain an orderly society. A civilization that does nothing but try to keep its population in check becomes a totalitarian society. We should strive for equality, fairness, and justice. The caliber of any citizenry will depend upon its populace.

To thrive, we need persons that commit to taking responsibility for their own actions. We are frequently confronted with examples of people who have little regard for the consequences of their actions. We see hit-and-run accidents and police pursuits and other thoughtless acts on the news on almost a daily basis. Sadly, we are sometimes not even given a good example by those in positions of leadership. Too many are influenced by expediency and self or special interests and thereby focus little attention on the true well-being of the people.

Preservation of society as a martial artist means to have the courage to abide by your own strong values. You cannot just yield to what is convenient or follow along with your circle’s group thinking.