The Twenty Precepts of Gichin Funakoshi – No. 3

‘ Karate is an aide to Justice’

Originally, this precept would have been more of a call to arms in the face of any injustice that the Karate practitioner may encounter.  However, in modern times where vigilantism is frowned upon and can result in criminal prosecution or harm, most are advised to ‘leave it to the authorities’.  Perhaps there are two messages we should take from this, the first being that by immersing yourself in Karate completely, you will be able to follow its teaching more fully and be more likely to stand up against adversity in the modern world to make it a better place.

The second is more basic, but probably the most important… use your skills and ability for good.  Your knowledge should be used to educate and protect, never as a means to extricate something for yourself from another (either by force or defrauding your karate students).

By Karly West

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