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From: Taekwondo Text Book, by Grandmaster Kyo-Yoon Lee. Published 1 Apr 1995 by Chang Jin publishing company, 538-1 Chang Shin 2 dong Jongro Gu Seoul Korea (Dae won Building 603), ISBN 89-85936-01-8
3. What is the Taekwon-Do --p29. written by Master Ki Jung

3. What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is an ancient martial art which has developed simultaneously with a race of people that is native to military art. In fact, the ancient people of Korea and Taekwondo have grown together sharing a 5000 year-old history of development. Moreover, the idea of Taekwondo as a defensive and combative martial art for the individual originated in ancient Korea. The individual is a key component in the training and ideology of Taekwondo.

In the past, the name of "Taekwondo" has been synonymous with a military art. However, in the present day, it has become a world-wide sport which is currently practiced by over 20 million people in over 100 countries. Literally translated Taekwondo can be broken down into several meanings. The first syllable Tae is literally translated as "stepping as high as the sky and stars." In the Asian world, this is often associated with the game of shuttlecock (a game played with the feet). Consequently, the meaning of Tae in Taekwondo is "the use of feet techniques." The second syllable, kwon, literally means "hand strike." Again, the meaning in the art is "the use of hand techniques." Finally, the last syllable, do, literally means "a road, method, or way" or "the truth." Its use in Taekwondo means "the way of justice." Thus, Taekwondo is the art of foot and hand. However, it is much more than just a physical art. It is intended to train both the body and the spirit. Oftentimes, the spirit comes from the cultivation of one's mind, and indeed, Taekwondo cultivates not only the body but the mind as well. It employs physical and mental discipline along with a deep philosophy.

Taekwondo is a way of life, and one that helps the individual to complete the self, or one's personality. Through the course of training, one can pursue self-control and patience. The cultivation of perseverance marks the level to which one has arrived. In this way, a weak person is transformed into a person of strength who understands the magnanimity of tolerance and the modesty of humility. The mentality of Taekwondo is that the mind must be one with the body.

The human body is formed in such a way, that it can be used as a powerful weapon. The articulating joints and limbs of the human form allows the individual to use them as a way to attack an opponent or an enemy. however, the practical application of Taekwondo is for self-defense using the body as a weapon for a defense--a kind of shield. Taekwondo emphasizes the use of its techniques for defensive purposes. It is an action philosophy whose foundation is based on instinct. This instinct is the passive pole of a bipolar system, where the active pole is reason. Subsequently, from this passive pole comes the active movement necessary for the action of defense. Moreover, any movement grows into a momentary defense which simultaneously transforms into an attack against any aggressor, coming to completion in a decisive result. Ultimately, this result will bring about the steps necessary to achieve the deep training which will elevate the individual to a level of mastery, and the relative conquest of this valued condition can be attained. The sharpening of one's instincts through training is an essential factor in the philosophy of Taekwondo. In addition, the human fighting instinct plays a vital role in sports. Although reason is as essential as instinct in the philosophy of Taekwondo, instinct is the fundamental source from which all actions arise.

The purification and refinement of one's self are the sublimation of fundamental values discovered through the philosophy of Taekwondo. In brief, Taekwondo trims away all that is unnecessary to be human. Thus, the philosophy of Taekwondo embodies the true meaning of humanity.

 

 

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