What is the Ni-ju Kun?
The 20 Precepts were written by Gichin Funakoshi to not only promote the correct attitude and conduct within the Karate Dojo, but also to assist with the spiritual development of a karate-ka to gain improvements in all of life.
- 1 – Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy
- 2 – There is no first attack in karate
- 3 – Karate is an aide to Justice
- 4 – First know yourself before attempting to know others
- 5 – Spirit first, technique second
- 6 – Always be ready to release your mind/ The mind must be set free
- 7 – Accidents arise from negligence/ Calamity springs from carelessness
- 8 – Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo
- 9 – It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit
- 10 – Put your everyday living into Karate and you will find ‘Myo’ (subtle secrets)
- 11 – Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool
- 12 – Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose
- 13 – Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones
- 14 – The outcome of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength
- 15 – Think of your hands and feet as swords
- 16 – When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you. It is your behaviour that invites trouble from them
- 17 – Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced
- 18 – Practicing kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another
- 19 – Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body and slowness and speed of techniques
- 20 – Always think and devise ways to live the precepts every day