Tae Kwon Do: “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 tae kwon do, 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 “dough”, this simple
two-letter declaration above all symbolizes the spiritual, intellectual and
ethical dimensions manifest in the traditional Korean martial art of tae kwon do.
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. 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.”
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| Bulguksa Temple, South Korea |
While it is true that the term taekwondo
itself is only a few 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 to memorialize
legendary figures such as the Hwarang-do. Still, there are those today who
assert that tae kwon do has no true heritage, that it is nothing more than a
competitive sport; a bastard child of Japanese karate or Chinese gungfu. 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 tiny 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.
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 a practice of the martial arts
accompanied by their implied codes of honor. By way of example, tae kwon do,
tang soo do, 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 General Choi Hong-Hi, Hwang Kee, Gichen Funakoshi, Morihei Uyeshiba
and Jigoro Kano appreciated the value of elevating their defensive skills,
already steeped in ancient ethical philosophies, into still usable disciplines
intended to instill 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 tae kwon do further support this model by striving to live a balanced life
using the Five Tenets as a moral compass. These five ethical directives, as
described in a previous column, consist of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance,
Self-control and Indomitable Spirit; virtues the Korean citizenry at large have
had to rely on, particularly during the twentieth century, in rising from the
ashes of war to their present state of economical development. Tae kwon do, being
a product of this will to survive coupled with a need to reaffirm a national
identity on the heels of Japanese occupation, has served as a platform for the
cultivation of do.
Taking a utilitarian approach to the
basic theme underscoring The Way can
have a significant effect on the practical application of tae kwon do 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 (kumsohn) and
cat stance (poom sogi), 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 (momtang jirugi) while in
horse stance (jachoom sogi), replicates the revolution of the planets as
described in the principles of celestial mechanics; a truly grand manifestation
of The Way. Furthermore, Taeguek
series poomse, the choreographed forms that stand as the central pillar of WTF-style
tae kwon do, 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 whose eight sets of trigrams represent nature in its fullness. The
virtues 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 tae kwon do 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 student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of the 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 co-authored with Grandmaster Richard Chun published by YMAA Publications Center, Inc. He can be reached for discussions or seminars at chosuntkd@yahoo.com or www.chosuntkd.com.
Master Doug Cook, a 6th dan black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York, a student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of the 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 co-authored with Grandmaster Richard Chun published by YMAA Publications Center, Inc. He can be reached for discussions or seminars at chosuntkd@yahoo.com or www.chosuntkd.com.
Article originally published in Taekwondo Times magazine Traditions column
October, 2002
