topical media & game development
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
- (1) kenzen ichinyo -- unity of ken and zen
- (2) riki ai funi -- strength and love (must be) in harmony
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
- tokuhon -- syllabus (English version), Chapter 3, section 4, p. 12
- history -- www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/history/index.html
- philosophy -- www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/kaiso/46.html
- principle(s) -- portlandshorinji.org/philosophy
(C) Æliens
04/09/2009
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