"Bu-Do"-Concept in Samurai's Training

The distinctive characteristic of mastering all Japanese martial arts is the tradition to put an accent on ethics and morality, enrichment of the spiritual world of a samurai in order to maintain a warrior's even temper, and only then taking care of the physical shape and strength. The moral concepts of such disciplines as kendo, aikido are reflected by a character which, if united with others, sounded as "do," being the basic of these words and implying the moral principle and close connection to the religious aspect of the military class's life.

The moral base of the training of Japanese warriors was determined by Confucius teaching which considered "do" to belong to the specific ethic category. As for the religious aspect, it was based upon the "do" concept's direct relation to dzen-buddhism. The perception of "do" - the true way, or the truth - was just vital in fencing with a samurai sword, shooting a bow, wrestling, and swimming. It was the highest ideal of a samurai, and from the philosophical point of view to reach it implied self-perception and knowledge of one's inner world the necessary attributes of one's personal harmonious development.

The oriental philosophical tradition often calls "do" to be the "way" giving life, reflecting the rays of light as the sun. In this respect the "do" concept is identical to the "dao," in Chinese philosophy and esthetics perceived as the eternal and integral part of the existing spiritual and material world, the way of nature.

The "do" substance approaches a samurai to the goal of "the great teaching" -meaning the fusion of just a part with the whole. The "do" was believed to help a samurai feel and come into contact with divinity and witness its existence. It corresponds to the dzen concept of the "initial nature of Buddha," present everywhere, possible to be reached through satori enlightenment, reaching nirvana at the earth among other human beings.

This way a samurai could reach the military art and the art of samurai sword fighting contiguous to "the true way" and join 'the endless harmony of nature." The inner training of a samurai was of the major significance and was given the bigger part of their attention than the outside physical shape and strength of a samurai. The meditation was of the great importance for working out the strength of character. It provided a samurai with the spiritual foundation and mentally balanced state for performing one's major military mission as well as successful practice in fencing with a samurai sword, shooting, etc. The samurai aimed at reaching the state of "increased readiness".

In spite of including a number of purely mystical elements, the meditation provided some practical benefits - for example, a samurai developed the proper breathing ability absolutely necessary while one is involved in any physical activity. Before the training fighting, the samurai were in the pose characteristic to the dzen-buddhism monks, ready for contemplation, and tried to breathe deeply and evenly. It helped to prepare the samurai's respiratory apparatus for physical work and contributed to the further rhythmic functioning of the lugs during the battle with the enemy when the body required the extra amount of oxygen.

The strength of samurai's spirit was beneficial for developing and keeping one's self-control, presence and soberness of mind during the training and real fighting. However it does not mean that the samurai neglected the physical factor. The physical education, being the second important element of the military discipline, implied a warrior had to sharpen one's techniques in the most meticulous way, develop one's physical power, persistence, working out almost instinctive phenomenal reaction and coordination of movements. All the mentioned skills were reached after the everyday prolonged practical training.

Everyone who is going to follow the way of warrior, has to realize the importance of a simple rule - in order to master and perfect the art of fighting with a samurai sword and become a real samurai, it is necessary to change every aspect of one's life - take care of one's mental and physical health as well as be persistent in regular training.