martial art precepts

In Patrick McCarthy’s translation and commentary on The Bible of Karate: Bubishi, he lists the eight precepts of Quanfa (fighting methods and strategies). The precepts describe the warrior’s way of being:

“Article 13: The Eight Precepts of Quanfa

1. The human mind is one with heaven and earth.

2. Our blood circulation parallels the solar and lunar cycles of each day.

3. Inhaling represents softness while exhaling characterizes hardness.

4. Adapt to changing conditions.

5. Response must result without conscious thought.

6. Distancing and posture dictate the outcome of the meeting.

7. See what is unseeable.

8. Expect what is unexpected.” (pps. 159-160)*

*NOTE. – Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), an Okinawan karate master who began demonstrating and teaching karate in Japan in 1922, listed the eight precepts from the Bubishi in his Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text as part of his “Maxims for the Trainee.” The English translation (Tr. Tsutomu) is: “Eight important phrases of karate:

The mind is the same with heaven and earth.

The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the sun and moon.

The Law includes hardness and softness.

Act in accordance with time and change.

Techniques will occur when a void is found.

The Ma requires advancing and retreating, separating and meeting.

The eyes do not miss even the slightest change.

The ears listen well in all directions.” (p. 248)

On the facing page, as best I can make out with limited understanding of written Chinese, are the Bubishi’s Article 14: The Principles of Ancient Law and Article 16: Grapplings and Escapes. Both articles are presented untranslated in Chinese cailligraphy by the translator who “was unable to locate the original source” and (admirably) did not wish to “risk the transmission of inaccurate thoughts.” (p. 249)]

My Okinawan karate teacher, Sensei Tatsuo Shimabuku (1906-1975), gave me (and other graduates) what appears to be a translation of the Bubishi’s Article 13 upon our graduation from his Agena, Okinawa dojo:

“The Code of Karate

A person’s heart is the same as heaven and earth.

The blood circulating is similar to the moon and sun.

The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft.

A person’s unbalance is the same as a weight.

The body should be able to change direction at any time.

The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.

The eye must see all sides.

The ear must listen in all directions.”

Examining these precepts allows an understanding of the state of consciousness, or way of being, that is the warrior. To embody these precepts, to live them dynamically, the warrior drops the conventional mindset and opens to the realm of spiritual reality. [See Shi Ming & Siao Weijia, Mind Over Matter: Higher Martial Arts, originally copyrighted as On Refinement of Consciousness Through Martial Arts, for discussion of spirit as energetics.]