Thoughts
Haedong Kumdo is a Korean martial art that has been redesigned and reconstructed based on traditional training methods such as keombeop (sword forms), danjeon breathing, begi (cutting techniques using bamboo and straw bundles), etc. Whilst it has a sparring aspect, Haedong Kumdo is not a sport and should be treated as a martial art. Within the sparring aspect, proper martial attitude and respect is still employed.
It is often the case that there are different schools of the same (or what amounts to the same) martial art. In this respect Haedong Kumdo is like any martial art, with many people making an effort to develop the art of Haedong Kumdo as they understand it.
Strong or weak points in any martial art are facets that depend entirely on the practitioner’s attitude and behaviour. The core ideas of all martial arts are similar. The basic principle lies in the use of two hands, arms, and legs. The difference among martial arts is that they are played in different ways and therefore appear very different.
The dan (black belt) level is regarded as an important matter by many people. However, the dan (or the colour belt keup level) is not as important as the training process. It is merely a system to motivate practitioners to achieve their goal and help them improve. It is much better to simply continue to train yourself, rather than to focus on having a higher dan.
Kwanjangnim Mike Heeney
術을 배움은 날마다 불어남이요, 道를 배움은 날마다 줄어듦이다.
Through dedicated practice the natural, unthinking martial art will increase, and the required concentration will decrease. The idea here is that if you train hard not only will your martial ability grow, but your mind will be more empty, or clear. For proper training you must have an empty mind, as mind and body become one. Through dedicated training this will become easier.
A Zen story illustrates this:
Two monks were travelling in the rain, the mud sloshing under their feet. As they passed a river crossing, they saw a beautiful woman, finely dressed, unable to cross because of the mud. Without a word, the older monk simply picked up the woman and carried her to the other side.
The younger monk, seemingly agitated for the rest of their journey, could not contain himself once they reached their destination. He exploded at the older monk. “How could you, a monk, even consider holding a woman in your arms, much less a young and beautiful one. It is against our teachings. It is dangerous.”
“I put her down at the roadside,” replied the older monk. “Are you still carrying her?”
Here, the old monk picked the woman up and put her down. That is all. No mediation by the intellect. He just did it. His mind, other than to work his muscles, was not a part of the experience.
劍道에서 사 四戒을 내려 놓는다 함은, 욕심, 탐냄, 성냄, 어리석음이다.
To attain true Kumdo character, one must put away these four bad emotions: greed, jealousy, anger, foolishness. The idea is to have an empty mind that is not affected by such negative emotions. Only in this way can you be truly focussed.
A Zen story illustrates this:
A tea master inadvertently gave insult to a samurai who challenged him to a duel. The tea master asked for time to prepare, and was granted one day. The tea master went to a swordsmanship teacher and told him of his plight. The swordsman told him that at best he could help him die honourably and with dignity. He asked the tea master to first serve him some tea. The tea master, thinking that this might be his last chance to perform his discipline, focused to a level surpassing anything he had done before. The swordsman told him, “Tomorrow, hold your sword overhead and face the samurai with the focus that you just had when you served me tea. When he approaches, strike with all you have and you may both die simultaneously.”
The next day, the tea master did as the sword master told him. The samurai sensed the tea master’s spirit, apologised for challenging him and called off the duel.
강이 낮다해서 산이 강을 비웃지도 않고, 산이 움직이지 못한다 해서 가이 우습게 여기지도 않는다.
The river is low but the mountain does not laugh at the river. The mountain cannot move but the river does not laugh at the mountain. The idea here is to be humble. Be mindful of your Kumdo but do not be proud. Do not look down on other people or other martial arts.
A Zen story illustrates this:
One day, as a Zen master strolled through a field with a disciple, a pheasant started from a nearby bush and, in fright, darted awkwardly into a thicket. Seeking to impress the master with his powers of observation, the student, with sarcastic certainty, remarked, “Birds are so weak and defenceless.”
The Zen master swung his walking staff and rapped the student sharply across the shins. “Fly”, he commanded.