There has always been discussions and debates if Martial Arts is nothing more than another way to disguise or transmit other religious beliefs. Here will be an attempt to give a short and sweet overview since for some potential and already practicing Martial Artists come across these concerns as they may feel that their Spiritual convictions will not allow them to study or limit their Martial Arts training.
Often times religion and mysticism has been related to Martial Arts, especially in many Asian Arts. However, just because something has been associated with the Arts doesn't mean its a part of it. Many Martial Arts have come from the need to survive in war and oppression. Arts like that of Savate (French for- the boot) evolved from when French sailors would catch deserters from their ships and kick them brutally for punishment. Thus kicking progressed and evolved on the street as gangs would use these techniques combined with strikes and punches. it was later systematized into what it is today: a French Martial Art. No spiritual beliefs ever influenced or were incorporated in its training or philosophy/doctrine. The Martial Art of Capoeira from Brazil was out of the need to survive. Slaves that were brought to the Latin Americas were chained at their wrists not their feet. As beating were severe and even deadly they began to develop a way of fighting...and that system was hidden in their dance because if the masters knew of it, they would be executed. The many hands stands of Capoeira came from the hands being chained and not the feet. That is why that Art developed as it did. Using mainly Kicks. Again it had no spiritual beliefs to guide its techniques or its doctrine. As in many of the Japanese Arts...the DO ( or BUDO- meaning: Martial WAY ) Arts can express spiritual development BUT one must note that BUDO came from the JITSU ( or BUJITSU meaning-: Martial ART ) Arts. BUJITSU's focus is not about spirituality or enlightenment for the spirit but straight combat. Training in Arts like Aikijujitsu would be all about the survival of the student while its DO offspring AIKIDO focuses on the persons betterment...does that mean its automatically a religion? Not quite.... everyday right and wrong can be taught and not be part of a specific belief system. The Martial Arts are not a religion, just that some may borrow from their cultures religious background to help teach and/or explain certain concepts or techniques. Just as easily as those things can be incorporated in the Arts..they can also be left out
Some concepts in Martial Arts are also questionable depending on the beliefs a spiritual path may holds. Things ranging from bowing to meditatition and even on up to conepts such as Chi/Ki.
Below are pages that speak of how different beliefs may take these concepts and explain what they truly mean. They also have a course of action on how to elimnate or avoid practices if you think they are not agreeing with your faith in specific.
The book LIVING THE MARTIAL WAY By Forrest E. Morgan has a great indepth chapter on this very topic.
In the end Martial Arts are Arts of War...NOT worship. They were developed mainly for survival on the battlefield and self-defense. Many have tried to integrate their beliefs in an attempt to justify their training methods, which, in turn, affected how that Art evolved. Take what you need and leave the rest. The Arts are what you make them to be...they are a reflection of you, they are how you train.
CHRISTIANITY & MARTIAL ARTS
MAGICK & THE MARTIAL ARTS
God Bless...
LIVING THE MARTIAL WAY- FORREST E. MORGAN
BARRACADE BOOKS
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