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  ELIENS, Anton, Amsterdam, kenshi nr: 573-27253-1
  date of birth: 12/3/1952, age: 58, gender: male
  

1. The Six Distinguishing Characteristics of Shorinji Kempo

Against the background of Kongo Zen the first two characteristics or principles may be considered as the most important, since they emphasize respectively the importance of Shorinji Kempo as a training method for finding a proper way of life by striving for a unity of body and mind, and thus build a proper way of life, which allows for benevolence and non-agressive use of strength, with respect and love for life.

The other four characteristics primarily reflect the approach of Shorinji Kempo to prepare the kenshi for proper technical training, as well as a more general way of life:

  • (3) shushu koju -- defence is primary, offense is secondary
  • (4) fusatsu katsujin -- not to kill but to awaken
  • (5) goju ittai -- hard and soft make one whole
  • (6) kumite shutai -- paired practice is primary
More in particular, the shushu koju characteristic not only represents a basic value in life, but also stands for a strategic advantage in actual combat, where the attacker exposes his weak points from which the defender may take profit.

In a similar vein, the fusatsu katsujin expresses respect for life, and is technically a guideline for self-control, without which effective training with a partner would be impossible. Reversely, the control acquired during training, in comradeship with the training partner, transfers to real life as self-control and well-measured application of force, not to hurt the opponent, but to, if necessary, teach respect for life and human values.

Both in life and training, sometimes a soft approach and sometimes a hard approach is more effective. The goju ittai principle reminds us of the various methods we may choose from in the application of techniques, as well as the range of techniques available.

Finally, the kumite shutai principle teaches us that learning Shorinji Kempo, or for that matter martial arts in general, is best done with partners, not only for the kenshi to learn how to adapt to the impredictability of real opponents, but also to develop a true sense of comradeship. There is no need to emphasize that this comradeship and spirit of cooperation are essential values in life, without which human culture and individual development are impossible.

additional remarks


Often Shorinji Kempo is referred to as a philosopher's martial art, with the obvious meaning that each of the six characteristics has an interpretion both on a technical level, directly pertaining to the training and practice of Shorinji Kempo as a martial art, as well as an interpretion on a human level, emphasizing basic values in our life and our relationship with society. As such Shorinji Kempo embodies the teachings of Kongo Zen in that it develops both the mind and the body. As a method for learning martial art, it is part of a wider family of Budo, with a special emphasis on:
  • the unity of body and mind, and the insight that
  • each person finds joy and happiness in living half for themselves and half for others.
As a method, thus, Shorinji Kempo offers a unique way to develop one's indivual strenght and self-control in accordance with the riki ai funi principle, but ultimately based on perspectives offered by Kongo Zen, as summarized in the kenzen ichinyo, the unity of ken and zen, or in our western translation, that body and mind are inseparable.

resources

  1. tokuhon -- syllabus (English version), Chapter 3, section 4, p. 12
  2. history -- www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/history/index.html
  3. philosophy -- www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/kaiso/46.html
  4. principle(s) -- portlandshorinji.org/philosophy


(C) Æliens 04/09/2009

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