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THE 5 TENETS OF TAE KWON DO
(The 5 Codes of Conduct)
COURTESY (Ye-Ui)
in a broader sense is kindness, humility, good manners, politeness,
and respect.
INTEGRITY (Yom-Chi) generally speaking, is honesty, straight dealing, purity,
moral soundness, and uprightness. To have integrity means to be honest with
everyone and with yourself at all times.
PERSEVERANCE (In-Nae) is persistence, a steadfast pursuit of and an understanding
of the aim, continuation in the practice of Tae Kwon Do regardless of the amount
of obstacles, hindering circumstances, difficulties, or occasional "let
downs" which are only temporary situations. The strong will to hold on,
regardless of obstacles. Loyalty.
SELF-CONTROL (Guk-Gi) is a double edged sword: on the one hand, it is the physical
control with regard to motions, precision of execution, prevention of unnecessary
injuries (as opposed to acting wildly) or killing, due to lack of control.
Experience is the best teacher, but all the physical reactions are based on
the psychological makeup, maturity, and moral, ethical, and religious codes.
Emotions are usually involved, to a certain degree, in the majority of situations,
hence the need for emotional self control. The degree of controlling the particularly
strong emotions such as love, hate, anger, surprise, joy, sadness, etc., show
the level of achievement of each practitioner of Tae Kwon Do.
Emotions should be governed by a strong and conscious reason and aided by experience
in principles. The success of application of this tenet in practical everyday
life should result in creating the indomitable spirit.
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT (Baekjul-Bool Gool) Indomitable means unconquerable, unbreakable,
unquenchable. To put it simply, it means that one has such strong unshakeable
beliefs and principles that even sacrificing the most precious possession one
has, one's own life, is not too high a price to pay in defending them. The
most classical example of the application of this tenet is found in ancient
Greek history, in the story of the Thermopylae, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans.
The original Five Codes
of Human Conduct have been compiled into the Eleven Commandments
of modern day Tae Kwon Do. They are:
Loyalty to
your country
Respect your parents
Faithfulness to your spouse
Loyalty to your friends
Respect your brothers and sisters
Respect your elders
Respect your teachers
Never take life unjustly
Indomitable spirit
Loyalty to your school
Finish what you begin
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