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Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean
traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting
skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and
life through training our body and mind. Today, it has become a global
sport that has gained an international reputation, and stands among
the official games in the Olympics.
Let's take a closer look at the meaning
of the word "Tae" "Kwon" "Do." It is composed of three parts as shown
in the English spelling, though it is one word in Korean. "Tae" means
"foot," "leg," or "to step on"; "Kwon" means "fist," or "fight"; and
"Do" means the "way" or "discipline." If we put these three parts
together, we can see two important concepts behind "Tae Kwon Do".
First, Taekwondo is the right way of
using Tae and Kwon 'fists and feet,' or all the parts of the body that
are represented by fists and feet. Second, it is a way to control or
calm down fights and keep the peace. This concept comes from the
meaning of Tae Kwon 'to put fists under control' [or 'to step on
fists']. Thus Taekwondo means "the right way of using all parts of the
body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful
world."
Taekwondo has been developing with the
5000-year long history of Korea, being called by several different
names in the course. In Korea, Taekwondo began as a defense martial
art called "Subak" or "Taekkyon," and developed as a way of training
body and mind in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of "Sunbae."
In the Shilla period, it had become the backbone of Hwarangdo that
aimed at producing leaders of the country.
Taekwondo today is similar to the
martial arts in other Oriental countries and shares some features with
them, because in the course of its evolution it has gained many
different styles that existed in the martial arts of the countries
surrounding Korea, like Japan and China.
But Taekwondo is very different from
many such oriental martial arts. First, physically it is very dynamic
with active movements that include a mirage of foot skills. Second,
the principle physical movements are in simpatico with that of the
mind and life as a whole. Third, it possesses dynamic poses from
another perspective.
Taekwondo can be characterized by
unity: the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose ["poomsae"]
and confrontation, and cracking down. When you do Taekwondo, you
should make your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your
movements, and extend this harmony to your life and society. This is
how in Taekwondo the principle of physical movements, the principle of
mind training, and the principle of life become one and the same. On
the other hand, the right poomsae lead to the right confrontation,
which will eventually produce great destructive power.
How come we reach such a unity in
Taekwondo? Taekwondo is a way of life, much like having a job, raising
a family, fighting for a cause, or any one of numerous raison d'etre.
What makes Taekwondo different from these is that it is an activity
for survival in extremely antagonistic situations. One must always
overcome the enemy that is trying to cause harm. But simply winning a
fight is not enough to guarantee one's safety, because the enemy may
recuperate and attack again. Moreover, there may be many other enemies
than the one that was just defeated. One cannot ever feel safe unless
one gains permanent peace. To attain this permanent or lasting peace,
one needs unity. This is what Taekwondo aim for. Otherwise Taekwondo
would be no different from any other street-fighting skills.
Taekwondo pursues harmonious growth and
improvements of life through its unique activities. This is why one
could say Taekwondo is a way of life. To ultimately enable ourselves
to lead more valuable lives, we would do well by finding the guiding
principles deeply hidden in Taekwondo. |