Tenets Of Taekwon-do

1. COURTESY
2. INTEGRITY
3. PERSEVERANCE
4. SELF-CONTROL
5. INDOMITABLE SPIRIT

The Tenents of Taekwon-do are values that followers should strive to uphold. A student is not only expected to understand but to live by the 5 virtues. Coupled with the physical side of taekwon-do these 5 virtues offer the practioner total mental, physical, spiritual, ethical and moral development.The goal is the ultimate victory of self-perfection.

1. Courtesy

To be courteous in taekwon-do means to be polite to one another: to distinguish between instructor from student, seniors from juniors and elders from the younger; to love and care and respect for all mankind; to help individuals and students to build their careers and organisations to nurture teamwork.The goal is the ultimate victory of self-perfection.

2. Integrity

To have integrity in taekwon-do means being able to judge right from wrong, not only in matters concerning others but more importantly in matters concerning oneself; never to do what one realises is wrong, no matter how small a matter. Likewise there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

3. Perseverance

To persevere in taekwon-do means having the determination to continue pursuing a matter afterfailure. Each failed attempt is a step for correction. Each failure or mistake is an opportunity to learn something new and thus enrich one's experience. Negative experience is used to discover ones strength and achievements contribute more strongly to the self-esteem. The word 'failure'does not exist and adversity should be turned into opportunity. The person who makes no mistakes does not learn anything new!

4. Self-control

To have self-control is to be in full control of one's mind and action, whether it be in the dojang or at work. To loose self- control in the dojang is disastrous. Not to loose control and follow our basic instinct in life is one attribute that distinguishes man apart from animals. One should know what one wants out of life and take the shortest route and translate ideas into action.

5. Indomitable Spirit

To command indomitable spirit in taekwon-do means being able to face the adversary again and again, whether it be physical or mental.Continuous training and conciously promoting awareness of oneself and developing skills enables us to take control of our life. Our obligation is to take time to know our attributes, our limitations and our capabilities. In so doing we shall be equipped with the right spirit and a remarkable ability to focus on the work and resist distraction. By being conciously aware of our levels of self-esteem and confidence we shall have the power to be in full control of our life, build up a strong sense of purpose and enjoy life passionately.

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