Spirituality through Martial Arts?

Ive been in a number of classes over the years and Ive noticed that several schools seem to have an almost "religious" tone. Many post and have students recite rules to live by similar to the ten commandments. Teachers often refer to "the way of the warrior" (bushido in japanese arts) in a very spiritual manner. Often times instructors are reveared like preachers or other church leaders. Even on this site people constantly argue whether violent situations are handled in morally correct manners and chastise others for actions deemed dishonorable. People talk about Bruce Lee like he was a prophet. Are there other religious parralels? Do most martial artists train to learn to fight or are they looking for something much deeper?

Spirituality through Martial Arts?
I believe that a lot of people get into Martial arts looking for this kind of spirituality. There are plenty of schools that are like this but I think that really they are mostly white run schools that misinterpret the eastern philosophies.





There are also plenty of schools that take a more martial only tone.





And if you train something that was developed by monks or the like (shaolin or similar) then you're obviously going to get a lot of religion thrown in.





As for the teacher being revered it's kind of impossible not to a little as you look up to your teacher as there skills are (hopefully) far superior to yours and you want to learn to be as good as them, their ability always seems a little almost supernatural as they are so easily able to deal with you.





And the rules thing is kind of impossible to do without as it's important to remind the students not to go around bashing people, it's pretty much a legal and moral obligation to include that sort of thing.
Reply:Martial arts are often used as a tool that assists a person with their ability to focus on spiritual objectives. This is especially true with the INTERNAL martial arts.





Martial arts, especially the physics involved (such as redirection rather than opposition), can also be used as object lessons.





You will find a lot of Taoism and Buddhism is some of the martial arts.


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Reply:I do karate and it is not spiritual. We do bow on but that is out of respect and the reciting the martial way is just a way we should all live it has nothing to do with spirituality just alot of respect and discipline.
Reply:The philosophical aspects of my martial art (Maharlika Kuntaw) can be applied/adapted to one's own belief system. I incorporate my spirituality into my art, but it doesn't overcome what the art is. I can keep my spirituality and martial art seprate, but I choose to combine them which adds even more meaning to my journey in the martial arts. I originally took martial arts for self-defense. Now I see that there is more to my training than just kicks and punches. I look for something deeper, but others may not. Your martial journey is what you make of it.
Reply:Yes, for me I have come to be more understanding of its "spiritual/philosophical" concepts...I was born into a Catholic religion, and "dwelled" in Budhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam...the closest thing I view the way of the warrior through religion would be Islam, with the "eye for an eye" approach to some aspects of life, like protecting yourself...If I was to be a Christian, im supposed to "turn my cheek and let them hit the other"...well, I think my appetite for UFC in christian wisdom will see me burning in hell!...but I know Im an alright guy I understand these things. I will defend myself and my family to the death if I have to, I think many people would.





The "way of the warrior" for me is not actually being able to fight off every aggressor...for me the battle takes place inside, anybody can inflict harm on anyone and anyone can inflict harm upon you...theres no escaping that, training to be a really efficient fighter is pointless...





After reading the Bhgavad Gita, a biblical text book used by Hare Krshnas...It opened me up to the concept of "energy" and I can relate from studying Kempo in such a way that it complements each other by way of the yin and yang, and how the practice of Tai Chi complements the way how movement creates and moves energy around the body or the universe.





also they say in the past some forms of Martial Arts were developed by monks especially the "chinese family of martial arts -fu"...even in India, the "priest not only taught phisolophy, medicine, they also taught martial arts to complement their physical bodies"...In Thailand, Muay Thai were also taught by budhist priests since they werent allowed to carry weapons.





In Kempo, I bow to my instructors becoz they are my source of wisdom...so out of respect as a student-teacher relationship, by bowing thats how I show respect,becoz they have devoted their time to learning the art and are passing it on and for that Im very thank full...





so in conclusion, I learned martial arts in order to be "ready" for a fight, and once I reached that level of readiness, the enlightenment happens that you can nver be ready for a fight and if there was a fight would I go through the most violent way of wasting people or will a simple punch do?...so I guess MA taught me how to control myself.





and Its probably just me.

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