Modern Jujitsu System

Seven Principles Of The Samurai

Before I prove the significance of Bushido or samurai spirit in this world, let’s first know what a samurai is. A samurai is a person “who serves in close attendance to the nobility”” (according to the Chinese and Japanese literal meaning). A samurai follows the principles of Bushido, and throughout the history of Japan they are known to be warriors, thus creating a social class of their own reaching nearly the top of their caste system. These are the Seven Principles of Bushido (and I daresay, the principles we very much need in this difficult corrupt times):

1. Righteousness (Gi)

Being righteous means being good; seeing the good for what it is, believing it and doing it. It also means being good, for seeing evil for what it is, rejecting it and not doing it. It is wonder how somethings so simple as this have become an impossible concept to many. Crimes such as murder, rape, theft, robbery, extortion, blackmail, illegal drug trafficking, infidelity scandals, racism violence – these are among the pettiest things that can happen in a world without righteousness. How about grave ones? Get a load of this one: war, genocide and total annihilation of the human race.

2. Courage (Yu)

Courage is not the absence of fear, stupidity is. Courage is the ability to recognize fears and limitations, and succeed in making an effort to overcome it. One great example is the natural fear of death. It is pointless to fear death itself, knowing it can never be avoided. The very reason why people are alive today is because they must find a way to overcome the fear of the inevitable. But courage could also mean facing and living with the kind of fear that is necessary. The fear of the consequences of corruption / evil is such an example. Thus said, “fear the consequence of evil acts, and courageously try to overcome evil itself”. The greatest example of courage is going against the wrong; fighting to preserve your life, defending the life and honor of your dear ones, and defying the social conventions that limits ones ability to be righteous and free.

3. Benevolence (Jin)

Benevolence is a characteristic that describes ones “disposition to do good”. Benevolence is merely not limited to doing good when its purpose is unilateral or self-centered. A benevolent person is a person who does good, not only because he/she feels like it, or because he/she needs to gain something in return. A benevolent person does good because he/she feels that it is his/her duty. A benevolent person might fall short on his/her deeds, but his/her intentions remain as his/her duty.

4. Respect (Rei)

This is an easy idea to conceive; so far the easiest but shockingly also a very difficult one. Respect is “an attitude of consideration or high regard”. Without respect, I would daresay humanity would cease to exist, merely becoming animals. In our world today, respect seems impossible. Women ought to be respected, but any man who does so are now considered gays or eunuchs. Married people ought to respect each other by not cheating, but nowadays such a gesture of respect is boring and obsolete that they would gladly violate it because it feels exciting. We ought to respect other people, but the world teaches us to never avoid suspicious thoughts when we see those who appear to be different and defiant of man-made conventions. Respect has come a long way of being lost in our true understanding.

5. Honesty (Shin/Makoto)

Honesty speaks for itself. Honesty is telling the truth, even though the truth may be very unpleasant and unbearable. Just when everything in this world is already uncertain, we cannot afford to deny ourselves with certain things, certain things that can still have something to be done. It is not only just morally right, it is necessary to preserve our sanity. Uncertain things itself are enough to lead us to any deadly occurrences already. There is little or almost no room for uncertainties, no more than there’s an excuse to lie to get away from our own disgrace from bad choices.

6. Honor (Meiyo)

Honor is a person’s dignity and this dignity cannot possibly persevere without respect, benevolence and righteousness. This is a measure of a person’s worth, for his/her virtues give value to his/her existence. A person only has three phases in his/her existence and that is “to live, to die, and to be remembered”. Rich or poor, handsome or ugly, smart or slow; if he/she lived and died with honor, he/she shall be remembered and be held in high esteem to those who remembered them.

7. Loyalty (Chugi)

Loyalty is the state of feeling devoted or dedicated. A person’s dedication to his/her dreams, ideals, and loved ones greatly defines his/her character. One’s loyalty can even be his/her measure of success in the future. Thus they say, “A person who has nothing to die for, has nothing to live for.”

Being a samurai is more than the superficiality of a Japanese martial artist practicing kendo or jujitsu and committing suicide at the onset of failure to one’s duty. It goes beyond that. Being a samurai, especially in these modern times, is trying to be an inspirational person who value principle and the determination to succeed.

About the Author

Go here to read more about: Mini Laptops

Modern Jujitsu 1