BUSHIDO
Code of the Warrior
Soul of Japan
Bushido -was the guiding philosophy of the samurai, or bushi (military gentlemen), as they preferred to be called. It has often been compared to the code of chivalry followed by European knights. Perhaps bushido's aim was the same, namely to provide a code of honor and rules for living for the country's armed forces. But bushido is uniquely Eastern. It was more encompassing -- though officially introduced in the seventeenth century, it was ingrained in the bushi from the time of their origin. As was often warned to new practitioners “more is expected from a Bugeisha (student of military arts) than an ordinary person". The ones that get the most out of it adapted their lives to there arts, so they may live their lives more fully.
Following are the eight principles of bushido:
- Meiyo – HONOR – to be true to ones self. A TRUE SAMURAI (BUSHI) HAS ONLY ONE JUDGE OF HONOR, AND THIS IS HIMSELF. DECISIONS YOU MAKE AND HOW THESE DECISIONS ARE CARRIED OUT ARE A REFLECTION OF WHOM YOU TRULY ARE. YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM YOURSELF. THIS RULE IS FOLLOWED BY STRIVING FOR THE NEXT SEVEN RULES.
- Rei – POLITE COURTESY - to show respect for others. SAMURAI (BUSHI) HAVE NO REASON TO BE CRUEL. THEY DO NOT NEED TO PROVE THEIR STRENGTH. A SAMURAI IS COURTEOUS EVEN TO HIS ENEMIES. WITHOUT THIS OUTWARD SHOW OF RESPECT, WE ARE NOTHING MORE THAN ANIMALS. A SAMURAI(BUSHI) IS NOT ONLY RESPECTED FOR HIS STRENGTH IN BATTLE, BUT ALSO BY HIS DEALINGS WITH OTHER MEN. THE TRUE STRENGTH BECOMES APPARENT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.
- Jin –COMPASSION - to develop a sympathetic understanding of people. THROUGH INTENSE TRAINING THE BUSHI BECOMES QUICK AND STRONG. HE IS NOT AS OTHER MEN. HE DEVELOPS A POWER THAT MUST BE USED FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. HE HAS COMPASSION. HE HELPS HIS FELLOW MAN AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. IF AN OPPORTUNITY DOSE NOT ARISE, HE GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO FIND ONE.
- Yu –HEROIC COURAGE - not to be improperly influenced buy fear. HEROIC COURAGE IS NOT FOOLHARDY, IT IS INTELLIGENT AND STRONG. IN EMERGENCIES, RISE UP ABOVE THE MASSES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO ACT, HIDING LIKE A TURTLE IN A SHELL IS NOT LIVING AT ALL. BUSHI MUST HAVE HEROIC COURAGE. IT IS ABSOLUTELY RISKY, TO THOSE WHO “PLAY IT SAFE” IT IS DANGEROUS. BUT IT IS LIVING LIFE COMPLETELY, FULLY, WONDERFULLY.
- Gi –HONESTY AND JUSTICE - to preserve the correct ethics. BE ACUTELY HONEST THROUGHOUT YOUR DEALINGS WITH ALL PEOPLE. BELIEVE IN JUSTICE, NOT FROM OTHER PEOPLE, BUT FROM YOURSELF. TO THE TRUE SAMURAI(BUSHI), THERE ARE NO SHADES OF GREY IN THE QUESTION OF HONESTY AND JUSTICE. THERE IS ONLY RIGHT AND WRONG.
- Chu –DUTY AND LOYALTY - to show loyalty. FOR THE SAMURAI(BUSHI), HAVING DONE ”SOMETHING” OR SAID “SOMETHING”, HE KNOWS HE OWNS THAT “THING”. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, AND ALL THE CONSEQUENCES THAT FOLLOW. A SAMURAI (BUSHI) IS IMMENSELY LOYAL TO THOSE IN HIS CARE, TO THOSE HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HE IS FIERCELY TRUE..
- Chi / Shin -- OPEN - to enhance wisdom by broadening one's knowledge. THE MIND LIKE A MARTIAL ART MUST ALWAYS BE LEARNING, PRACTICING AND FINE TUNING. TO STOP OR FIXATE MEANS STAGNATION AND DEATH. THE OPEN MIND SEES WITH THE PERCEIVING EYE ( what happens below the surface), NOT JUST THE SEEING EYE ( that is reactionary).
- Makoto - TRUE TO SELF - to be truthful at all times. WHEN A BUSHI HAS SAID HE WILL PERFORM AN ACTION, IT IS AS GOOD AS DONE. NOTHING WILL STOP HIM FROM COMPLETING WHAT HE HAS SAID HE WILL DO. HE DOES NOT HAVE TO “GIVE HIS WORD” HE DOES NOT HAVE TO “PROMISE”. SPEAKING AND DOING ARE THE SAME ACTION. FOR MANY THIS IS HARD TO DO, BUT THE MORE TRUTHFUL YOU ARE THE LESS COMPLICATED AND HAPPIER YOUR LIFE BECOMES.