The philosophy of Taekwondo
is very special, but what makes it so special? If
we learn philosophy from books, we tend to forget
it as soon as we leave them, because it is not related
to our actual lives. But since Taekwondo is connected
with our lives like every movement of ours is, we
can never forget its philosophy.
That is, the philosophy is one of actions
that can be learned from other actions, and our everyday
activities. Taekwondo philosophy represents the principles
of the changes and movements in human beings. It also
represents the principles of our lives, since life consists
of our movements. Therefore, we can say Taekwondo is a
philosophy in itself. We can understand the philosophy
of Taekwondo by doing Taekwondo, and this understanding
should lead to better understanding and enhancement of
our life. The principles of Taekwondo can be explained
in several ways but here we will explain it simply with
the principle of "Sam Jae" [Three Elements]
and that of "Eum" [the Negative or Darkness]
and "Yang" [the Positive or the Brightness].
"Sam Jae" refers to "Cheon" [the Heaven],
"Ji" [the Earth], and "In" [the Man]
and the principles concerning them. In oriental countries,
it has been recognized as the central principle that explains
the changes of everything in the world. "Sam Jae"
and the changes of "Eum" and "Yang"
constitute the "Eight Trigrams for Divination"
in the "Book of Changes." The principle of Sam
Jae has been emphasized in oriental countries, especially
in Korea. If you understand Taekwondo's principle, you
could understand all the skills and spiritual depth of
Taekwondo. The principle of Eum and Yang has also been
emphasized in oriental countries as the central principle
of life. It maintains that everything has an opposite
side. This principle explains various forms of changes,
but it comes from "Taegeuk" [the Great Absolute],
which represents the ultimate claim that Eum and Yang
was the one and the same thing. If we understand Taekwondo
according to this principle, we will find a solution,
and by continuously changing skills, we will never get
stuck, in any situation. After we understand these philosophical
principles of Taekwondo, we can find proper ways to understand
and develop our lives.
What is the philosophy
of Taekwondo?
Taekwondo contains thoughts that Han [Korean] people had
developed through history. Its philosophy is easily explained
with Hongik-Ingan, Jaese-Ihwa, or Hwarangdo spirit. Hongik-Ingan
and Jaese-Ihwa were not only ideologies of Tangun Chosun's
foundation, but also a fundamental thought of Han people.
With time, these ideas developed into the Hwarangdo spirit
and the Taekwondo philosophy today. Now, let's look at
the principles contents of the philosophy.
Hongik-Ingan" means universal welfare
of mankind. It was the idea of the national foundation
by Tangun, and the Taekwondo spirit too has inherited
the idea of Hongik-Ingan. It is easily confirmed from
the fact that the word of Taekwondo, itself means to suppress
fighting and induce peace. On one hand, Jaese-Ihwa means
that the world is educated in accordance with the reason
of heaven. Taekwondo is a principle, not a simple connection
with movements. It is the Korean traditional martial art
characterized by the trinity of body, mind and life. Thus,
the principle is the reason of all creation, and so it
refers to the reason of heaven in Jaese-Ihwa. Therefore,
human beings can be educated in accordance with the reason
of heaven through correct training of Taekwondo. That's
the very meaning of Jaese-Ihwa. Hongik-Ingan and Jaese-Ihwa
appear clearly in the myth of the Korean foundation. According
to it, "In the early age, Hwan-Wung, the son of Heaven
established a nation called Baedal [earliest name of Korea].
He then announced the purpose of the national foundation
as Jaese-Ihwa [educate with the reason of heaven] and
Hongik-Ingan [universal welfare of mankind].
