SHUGYO & GAKU
SHUGYO
Traditional Bushido ethics according to our mission are meant to be practiced in conjunction to traditional martial arts of any style that promotes the traditional aspects of Bushido or accepts them as laid out by our Shinbushido-Kyo manual. It is believed that through rigorous training in the martial arts (Shugyo), coupled with intense study of martial arts classics and ethics (Gaku), humans can achieve personal peace of mind (Satori). Our Yudansha are also encourage to try new styles of martial arts, take seminars and try other forms of activity as well. Training at home is also considered as acceptable practice and encouraged for further personal development.
Further intense training and feats are encouraged, however with caution, by engaging in such martial arts conduct as beach training, mountain training or entering knockdown full contact tournaments. This must be done however under the direction of a Sensei or higher and not recklessly. Students who pursue such as course must sign waivers issued by their instructor.
*Practitioners and instructors who follow the guidelines of Shinbushido-Kyo upon membership agree to not hold Shinbushido-Kyo liable or responsible for any lawsuit as instructors act independently of the Shinbushido-Kyo Kancho and administration. Furthermore, independent pursuits for Sensei and higher are done with full knowledge of potential danger and will not jeopardize their personal safety in the name of Shinbushido-Kyo. Therefore, independent practitioners and followers of Shinbushido-Kyo will not hold Shinbushido-Kyo liable for injuries or death that results from their activities.
GAKU
Based on the saying of Confucius which goes, “Studying without thinking is labor lost. Thinking without study is perilous,” Gaku is the intellectual end laid out by Shinbushido-Kyo and involves the study of Bushido and East Asian ethics. This can be done through the personal reading and study of traditional East Asian texts and/or Shinbushido-Kyo literature. Listening in on our discussions on our Shinbushido-Kyo podcast is a way of furthering one's intellectual knowledge as well, which is available HERE
Shinbushido-Kyo practitioners are encouraged to continue their education through taking courses offered by Shinbushido-Kyo, enrolling in courses at the college level and/or taking courses offered through community education or other organizations. Such studying is in league with Confucius who stated,
“A good man who studies extensive in the arts and literature and directs his studies with judgment and taste, is not likely to get on the wrong track.”
Furthermore, Confucius states,
“In education, study always as though you have never reached your goal and as though apprehensive of losing it.”
Shinbushido-Kyo Yudansha therefore continue their studies for not only personal development, but also with the intent of being able to pass this knowledge on to others whether it is their own children, friends, family or students.