STANDING AT THE DOOR

 by Yang Shuangxing

Quite a number of martial arts practitioners undertake the study of their chosen discipline in the hopes of following the “Way.” Most enthusiasts are primarily interested in self-defense or fitness, but there are those who seek more than just acquiring certain physical skills or shedding those nasty, unwanted pounds...they have hard of the “martial path” or “Way” and that's where they direct their intention. The truth is that none of them even suspect what is involved; if they knew what would be expected of them and what they were getting into, they'd likely never even begin.

The word “Way”, as it is used within the context of what we're considering is prounced “Dao” in Chinese, and “Do” (sounds like “dough”) in Japanese and Korean. However, in both Chinese and Japanese, it is written with the same character...道. It is often translated as “a path, a road”, but there's more to it than that. Much. More. “Do” refers to an art; a fine discipline that transcends the purely physical aspects of its dimension...aesthetic and spiritual dimensions underlie the the physical aspects.

The word “shu” in Chinese (“jutsu” in Japanese) is written “ 术” and is often translated as “art.” However, it actually refers to “technique” rather than “an art” of some kind. Thus, “jujutsu” refers to the outer technique only; it doesn't seek to go beyond that. So we have jujutsu, aiki-jutsu, kenjutsu (using the sword), karate-jutsu, and so on. Their interest is only in the arena of combat. Period.

A “do” seeks much more than that and is intended to develop the character and spirit of its adherents, as well as promoting the learning of combative aspects. And we have forms of “do” that have nothing to do with self-defense; chado (Japanese tea ceremony), kado (flower arranging), shodo (writing calligraphy with a brush), and a few others. To my mind, the “do” forms transcend the “jutsu” forms and take them to the next level and beyond.

It was/is the “do” forms that initiated the development of “grades.” We're all familiar with the dan/kyu system used in ranking martial arts adepts. This was first used in judo; most “do” forms eschew “kyu” ranks (in martial arts these are steps below black belt) and their first real grade is that of “shodan” (in martial arts, the first grade of black belt...but bear in mind that “shodan” doesn't mean “first degree black belt. It means simply, “first grade.”). Such grading is found not in martial ways, but also in other “do” forms- of course, they don't award or wear a black belt or any kind of outer sign of their grade; they simple present a certificate validating one's level of proficiency and understanding of the art. So yes, you can get dan rankings in flower arranging.

Some martial forms of “do” also don't use “kyu” grades; iaido, as it's practiced in Japan, is like this. The first actual grade one receives is that of shodan. Only in the U.S. do they use kyu ranking – in Japan, this is done only with children.

One who seeks to follow the “Way” is sometimes called “Mon Jin” in Japanese. It means “A person at the door”...referring to the “door” that is the entrance to the “Way.” One does not, however, even FIND this door until one has progressed beyond the grade of shodan; after all, a “Way” is a discipline that becomes a lifestyle. It's much more than just an activity that you practice (even if you do it regularly). It becomes a LIFESTYLE. There's a difference. If you don't understand what this means, you're a ways off from following a “Way.” And the door opens from the INSIDE. You cannot open it from the outside. It'll open of its own accord when you're ready...and not before. This is why older practitioners who DO follow a “Way” laugh at those (usually younger and much less experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable) practitioners who say that they want to follow a particular “Way.” To say such a thing is indicative of a lack of patience...which is one of the first requisites for entering through the door.

Moreover, one must have a teacher who is on the path of the “Way” one desires to follow. Such people do not advertise their skills to attract followers; they live their lives according to the “Way”to which they have devoted their lives. Finding such a person is very rare, especially nowadays...