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STUDENT RESOURCES
THE TENETS OF TAEKWON-DO
The success or failure of TaeKwon-Do training depends largely on how one observes and implements these tenets. The purpose of them is to sever as a guide for all students.
COURTESY (YE UI / 예의)
General Choi's definition:
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To promote the spirit of mutual concessions
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To be ashamed of one's vices, contempting those of others
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To be polite to one another
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To encourage the sense of justice and humanity
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To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, and elder from younger
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To behave oneself according to etiquette
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To respect others' possessions
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To handle matters with fairness and sincerity
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To refrain from giving or accepting any gift when in doubt
MATKD's Interpretation:
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Be kind and polite to everyone – no exceptions
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Show respect to everyone you meet, including but not limited to your instructors, seniors, parents, siblings and teachers
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Use proper titles or surnames (Grandmaster, Master, Sir/Ma’am, Mr./Mrs.Ms., etc.)
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Respect each others possessions and feelings
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Handle all matters with fairness and sincerity
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Always use proper etiquette (bow to instructors/seniors, say please/thank you, yes/no sir, yes/no ma’am, etc.)
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Treat others as you would want to be treated
INTEGRITY (YOM CHI / 염치)
General Choi's definition:
In TaeKwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in the dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Here are some examples where integrity is lacking:
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Instructors who misrepresents themselves and their art by presenting improper techniques to their students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
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The student who misrepresents themselves by "fixing" breaking materials before demonstrations.
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The instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious training halls and false flattery to their students.
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The student who requests rank from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
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The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
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The instructor who teaches and promotes their art for materialistic gains.
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The student whose actions do not live up to their words.
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The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from their juniors.
MATKD's Interpretation:
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Be able to distinguish between right from wrong.
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Be honest, especially to yourself.
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Always live up to your word, if you make a promise, do not break it
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Do not misrepresent yourself, do not brag or boast.
PERSEVERANCE (IN NAE / 인내)
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General Choi's definition:
There is an old Oriental saying, "Patience leads to virtue or merit." "One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times." Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. To acheive something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set their goal, then contantly persevere. Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistant efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enables him to free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of TaeKwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance.
Confucius said: "One who is impatient in trivial matter can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance."
MATKD's Interpretation:
To achieve anything, whether it is a higher rank or the perfection of a technique, one must set a goal, then constantly and untiringly pursue that goal. One of the secrets of TaeKwon-Do as a way of life, is the ability to overcome difficulties by perseverance. The student, who attends every class, does all that he or she is told, and practices daily, is demonstrating perseverance.
SELF-CONTROL (GUK GI / 극기)
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General Choi's definition:
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disasterous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one's capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.
According to Lao-Tzu "The term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else."
MATKD's Interpretation:
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Do not loose your temper, think a situation through before you act.
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Maintain your emotions, keep them in check.
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Only use your TaeKwon-Do for self-defense.
IDOMITABLE SPIRIT (BAEKJUL BOOLGOOL / 백절불굴)
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General Choi's definition:
"Here lie 300, who did their duty," a simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind.
Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermopylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when a couragous person and their principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.
A serious student of TaeKwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be.
Confucius declared: "It is an act of cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice." As history has proven, those who have pursued their dreams earnestly and strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed to achieve their goals.
MATKD's Interpretation:
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The ability to do the right thing despite the odds or without being deterred by the consequences.
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Stand up for those who need assistance – right a wrong.
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Do your best no matter what the odds.