Taekwondo: “Foot,
Hand, Way”, or the “art of smashing with hands and feet”; three simple words
representing a universe of power. Certainly, the consequences of striking with
feet, tae, and hands, kwon, are clear. However, to
underestimate the significance of the last syllable, do, due to its grammatical positioning within the root word taekwondo, is to admit to a profound
ignorance in this diverse, holistic discipline. To subtract this suffix
entirely is to remove the heart and soul of the art, transforming it, instead,
into a mere pugilistic pursuit; a hollow, physical exercise rather than an
organic philosophy complete with a ritualized set of moral principles. Pronounced “doe”, this simple two-letter
declaration above all symbolizes the spiritual, intellectual and ethical
dimensions manifest in the traditional Korean martial art of taekwondo.
Literally translated, do is The Way or Path every martial artist must travel. It is the essence and
standard against which all practical and theoretical technique is measured. It
is the level we must seek; the ideal we embrace. It is a continuum the sincere
practitioner will visit time and time again with never any hope of reaching an
end. It is a work constantly in progress. The late Grandmaster Sang Kyu Shim
put this journey into perspective when he wrote:
“One must not
confuse the skills of living with the Way of living. The martial arts point the
way while providing the skills to follow the Way. This is the road to creative
change, a road of encounter and discovery. It is the road of a million miles
that begins with the first step.”
While it is true that the term taekwondo
itself is only several short decades old, the fact remains that the art we are
presently familiar with resonates with philosophical overtones gleaned from a
mixture of traditional fighting styles rooted deep in Korean history. One
cannot help but appreciate this virtue while visiting the temples and monuments
built high in the mountains of Korea intended to memorialize legendary figures
such as the Hwarang and their fearless leaders. Still, there are those today
who assert that taekwondo is nothing more than a competitive sport based
primarily on its acceptance by the International Olympic Committee. These are
the few who would remain rooted in the stands cheering on contestants rather
than recognize the virtue in champions of the heart. Forgotten are the
centuries of invasion and imperialism during which the Korean people have had
to defend the sovereignty of the sturdy nation with the blood of their young
warriors while nurturing a robust code of honor in the process. This courage is
evident in every technique of the national, Korean martial art. Today, the contemporary model of
do partially stems from a desire
expressed by noted masters of the past to transform their traditional martial
arts skills, no longer as relevant in times of peace, into martial ways. Simply put, a martial way
distinguishes itself from a battle art in that the ultimate goal is not
necessarily one of combat preparedness so much as it is in discovering a method
or means to achieve personal excellence through the practice of a martial discipline
accompanied by its implied code of honor. By way of example, taekwondo,
tangsoodo, karate-do, aikido and judo are all offspring of fighting systems
used primarily for the purpose of subduing an adversary in battle and expanded
upon by their innovators in modern times to include a roadmap for ethical
living. Men such as Choi Hong Hi who notably emphasized the military aspect to
the art, Hwang Kee, Anko Itosu, Gichen Funakoshi, Morihei Ueshiba and Jigoro
Kano, regardless of their national heritage, appreciated the value of elevating
their defensive skills, already steeped in ancient ethical philosophies, into
still usable disciplines intended to infuse defensive strategy, confidence and
morality in society at large. Consequently, tens of millions of practitioners
worldwide study some form of martial art in an effort to fortify their
physical, mental and spiritual capabilities while becoming proficient in a form
of self-defense. Practitioners of taekwondo further support this model by
striving to live a balanced life using the Five Tenets as a moral compass.
These five ethical directives include Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance,
Self-control and Indomitable Spirit; virtues the entire Korean citizenry have
had to rely on, particularly during the twentieth century, in rising from the
ashes of war to their present state of economic and social development.
Taekwondo, being a product of this will to survive, coupled with a need to
reaffirm a national identity on the heels of the Japanese Occupation, has
served as a platform for the cultivation of do.
Furthermore, taking
a utilitarian approach to the basic theme underscoring The Way can have a significant effect on the practical application
of taekwondo technique in general. For example, the very basis of martial arts
movement, now and in the past, can be traced to the observation and mimicry of
nature. Therefore, one must concede that nature is embraced by do. Many of the more advanced strikes
and stances such as tiger mouth and cat stance derive their very names from a
flirtation with the defensive tactics seen in the animal kingdom. Likewise, the
method of wrist rotation found in the execution of the middle punch while in
horse stance replicates the revolution of the planets as described in the
principles of celestial mechanics; a truly grand manifestation of The Way. Furthermore, Taegeuk series
poomsae, the choreographed forms that stand as the central pillar of Kukkiwon
taekwondo, are rich in an abundance of natural metaphor. Borrowing heavily from
the ancient Asian classic, the I Ching, these
essential patterns draw their philosophical individualism from the palgwe with
its eight sets of trigrams representing nature in its fullness. The elements of
thunder, wind, water, fire and earth are all in evidence as the practitioner
learns to overcome the physical limitations of the body, instead experiencing
the spiritual aspects of The Way
while performing this form of moving meditation. Natural harmony, too, should be
evident in the execution of all techniques as it applies to the human anatomy.
By practicing within the constraints of the body’s natural range of motion,
stress and injury will be brought to a minimum. Likewise, permitting the
muscles to remain in a relaxed and natural state will result in the development
of explosive power upon impact. Consequently, since The Way is all encompassing in its relationship to physiology,
natural movement equates to do.
Clearly, from the early stages of social development on up to the present, an
understanding of do has been
accompanied by a deep appreciation of nature. In fact, one cannot exist without
the other.
The Way, then, is
unmistakably paved by virtuous thought and action. It is arrived at through
diligent practice and a never ending commitment to excellence. To waver is an
admission of one’s humanity. To reclaim the rightful path, however, is a sure
sign of discipline and commitment. In the words of the Zen patriarch,
Bodhidharma:
“All know the Way; few actually walk it.”
As we advance in
the martial arts our sense of balance, both physically and spiritually, begins
to increase. Better health ensues. Reflexes are sharpened and a profound
appreciation for the value of life pervades our being. Finally, we are rewarded
with increased confidence and self-respect through our knowledge of
self-defense. This course is a journey marked by many mileposts. It is a
highway whose unbroken line leads to the philosophical and spiritual refinement
of the individual. With each new revelation the practitioner comes closer to
the ultimate goal of enlightenment. This journey, this road is called taekwondo and it is defined by its
simple, two letter suffix, do.
Master Doug Cook, a 6th
dan black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in
Warwick, New York, a senior student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of
four best-selling books entitled: Taekwondo…Ancient
Wisdom for the Modern Warrior, Traditional
Taekwondo - Core Techniques, History and Philosophy, Taekwondo–A Path to Excellence, and Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae: Original Koryo and Koryo, a recently
published work, co-authored with Grandmaster Chun. Master Cook can be reached
for lectures, workshops or questions at www.chosuntkd.com
or info@chosuntkd.com.
