What makes a dojo a dojo?

What makes a dojo a dojo?

Let’s look at a common definition of the word dojo.
A dojo (道場 dōjō?) is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". As such it can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of a martial arts style to conduct training, examinations and other related encounters.

“Dojo” Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. (2006, February 13). FL: Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2006, from http://www.wikipedia.org

What is “the way”? What does it mean to all members of a dojo?

This may appear as a strange concept to westerners, but “the way” is interpreted as the great way of life that governs the universe. It is through participation in our dojo that one follows the path of self-cultivation. We seek a better understanding of this “way” through the study of karate.

What makes a dojo special is not its location or physical characteristics, but one’s behavior and involvement in it. What is essential is a group of participants willing to work in the spirit of self and mutual respect. A dojo is more than just a school where you practice and learn karate, it is a place where you learn and evolve into a moral and ethical person. Students take part in a personal “ownership” of their school and their studies. Our dojo is the physical representation of all of the people who share the study of Shotokan Karate as an aspect of their lives.

Essentially Karate is a type of Budo. We translate this into English as "Martial Art", but reading the kanji would paint a different picture. The kanji for Bu is composed of the character "to stop" and the character for "spear". Thus the meaning can be loosely translated as "to stop the spear". The kanji for Do comes from the Chinese word "tao" meaning "way”. But this does not simply mean the "way to do something" rather it has to do with the "way to lead a spiritual life". Thus one who studies any Budo is not studying the art of fighting, but rather the way to become a better person.
(Adapted from “Going to the Dojo: by George Leonard printed in Radar Magazine, January, 2006)

The frame of mind held by the members of a dojo governs its ability to function, as well as its place in the rest of the universe. Gichin Funakoshi the founder of Shotokan karate believed that karate is not only self defense; it also begins and ends with courtesy. We should all live by this example. We need to be mindful of others; stay focused, and always be respectful. This is very important for all students to remember, including myself.

Part of how I can tell that our dojo has this quality, is how others in our community have a high opinion of our school and its members. We have been asked repeatedly to demonstrate at various functions and have an excellent public reputation. We should feel proud to represent an organization that has such positive ideals and is so well respected.

Take a moment and think for a second about how our students are the embodiment of our karate school. A dojo cannot exist without the active involvement and support of its members in all areas. Yep, that means you.

These are just some questions every karate student should ask themselves:

*Are we taking care of our own physical and psychological health so that we can perform well in all areas of our lives? (Sleeping, healthy diet, hygiene.)
*Are we actively participating and trying our best in class?
*Are we participating in school activities such as demonstrations and fundraisers?
*How are we behaving correctly in karate class and more importantly in other activities outside of our dojo?
*Are we helping to strengthen ourselves and our fellow students through positive actions and ethical choices?
*Are we courteous and kind toward one another?
*Are we making time to help care for our dojo?

All students need to remember how they act, not only in the dojo, but also in the outside world and what they represent. Try and keep this in mind when you are at home and in other public places. The study of karate is a way of life and demands that we be courteous and respectful at every moment of our conscious lives. We are always representatives of our dojo. Although at times this may prove to be difficult, ethics and morals require as much discipline and practice as learning a self defense technique or even a Kata.

Keep in mind that I am in no way the epitome of what I am getting at. I just try and practice what I preach. I do the best that I can. The bottom line is that I have found this process to be continually rewarding and it improves the state of my life everyday. Remember to do your very best and that is all that anyone would ask of you.

The whole of any successful group is the sum of its parts as is any good dojo. Remember how important you are as a student here at FMK karate. As they say, what goes around comes around. Follow the “way” and be a moral example of what a good person should be and be an active part of our dojo.