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Nicki Keszler Senior Project Paper Zen in the Martial Arts Martial Arts have been practiced since the earliest of times throughout the entire world. Their origins are not always completely traceable but their reason for existing and method of application are fairly universal. Martial arts are systems of codified practices of training for combat that were primarily taught to soldiers or warriors of any given culture at any given time period. The main objective of all martial arts is above all to be capable of defending oneself from physical threat and or harm. This is why they commonly fall under the category of self-defense techniques. The term “Martial Arts” comes from the Greek god of war, Mars, and originally referred to solely European forms of combat. Now, the term has become synonymous with many oriental martial arts and basically any form of structured self-defense or combat. Martial arts in the most traditional sense were for solely combat or self-defense but in the modern world have now leaked into other categories such as sport or dance. Many martial arts follow a certain code of beliefs or moral structure many of which have been adapted from oriental religions such as Hinduism, Daoism, Shintoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism. This belief system that is engraved in most martial arts is what makes martial arts more than structured combat but instead a way of life. Along with fighting techniques many Asian martial arts also teach side disciplines that pertain to medicinal practices such as acupuncture, qi gong, and bone-setting. The early history and origins of martial arts are difficult to reconstruct. Inherent patterns of human aggression, which inspire mock combat and optimization of close combat, are doubtlessly inherited from a pre-human stage of evolution and were made into an art from the earliest emergence of this concept. Wrestling, for example, is a human universal and is also observed in other great apes. Many commonalities among different martial arts are based off of human physiology and are therefore not dependent on specific traditions or eras. The earliest evidence of martial arts in the past comes from depictions in figurative art and in early literature. There are many theories as to where and when martial arts first originated, some believe in China in 1300 BC, others believe Greece had the first martial art in 40 BC with wrestling, and others still believe India is the birthplace of martial arts. We will never know for sure where the very first structured form of combat training began but fact is that early martial arts emerged all over the world at different times and began to merge and influence each other. Africa is said to be the true home of a Brazilian martial art influenced by dance called capoeira. Africa’s Zulu culture is also known to have evidence of stick fighting. Asian roots of martial arts lie in China and India and most likely began around 1000 BC. Martial arts existed in classical Europe most notably in Greece where sports were an important part of daily life. Boxing, wrestling, and pankration were represented in the ancient Olympic games. European influence in China and other Asian countries began the decline of local martial arts especially with the invention of firearms. Martial arts declined in Europe as well with the rise of firearms and because of this modern martial arts with historical roots in Europe do not exist the way they do in Asia, since traditional martial arts died out or turned into sport. Martial arts vary widely and may focus on specific techniques or a combination of techniques. It’s difficult to classify different martial arts because there are so many criteria that one could sort them with. A popular way to define a form of martial arts is to define how the martial artist is going to defend against his opponent. Martial arts can be categorized in this sense as either having a soft technique or a hard technique. Soft and hard when talking about a martial art refer to the way techniques deal with the force of an attack. In a soft technique the receiver uses the aggressor’s force and momentum against him by leading the attack in a direction where the receiver will be positioned at an advantage. The goal of soft arts is to be able to turn an adversary’s force to their disadvantage, and to use the least possible amount of force oneself. Soft defenses are usually considered circular; the way this works is similar to the way a projectile may glance off a round or slanted surface without damaging it at all. The lack of resistance while meeting an opponents force is referred to as yielding. A technique applied in a soft manner is often applied when the person is off-balance, which makes it easy for the person using the technique. This ease of application was termed “maximum efficiency” by Kano Jigiro, the founder of judo. A hard technique by contrast meets force with force either by directly blocking the technique with a head-on block or by cutting through at an angle with ones own force. It is sometimes said that hard styles rely primarily on superior strength or conditioning to be successful, but in fact it is the specific mechanics of the blocking actions that results in its success. Some styles of martial arts employ a combination of hard and soft techniques. Many Chinese martial arts emphasize a balance of yin and yang, in some styles these represent soft and hardness. Another common way to categorize martial arts is by what their focus of attack is; they focus either on striking, grappling, or weaponry. These categories also have sub-categories that all martial arts fall into. Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. Zen emphasizes experiential knowledge or wisdom as opposed to theoretical knowledge. This experiential knowledge is commonly attained through meditation and dharma practice. Zen asserts that all conscious beings have “Buddha-nature”. “Buddha-nature” refers to an inner divinity that Zen Buddhists believe is present in all beings. The goal of all Zen practitioners is to discover this inner divinity through meditation and mindfulness of daily experiences. This search within or introspection is believed to provide new perspectives and insights on existence, which ultimately lead to enlightenment. In comparison to other Buddhist schools of thought Zen deemphasizes use of religious texts and discussion on metaphysical questions because it is believed that they lead practitioners to seek external answers rather than searching within themselves for the direct intuitive solution. The main Zen practice is seated meditation. In Zen meditation the practitioner strives to be aware of the stream of thoughts allowing them to rise and pass away without interference. Zen Buddhist meditation focuses on two themes; transforming the mind and using it to explore itself and other phenomena. The practice of Zen meditation is meant to allow the practitioner to directly experience the true nature of reality. Although Zen Buddhism emphasizes the search for “Buddha-nature” during meditation it is important that practitioners stay mindful and aware of everyday experiences that could contain valuable life lessons. Buddhism is a philosophy of personal development whereby the practitioner works to understand his/her true nature and the laws of the universe that control this world and everything in it. Martial arts are an internal process, a gradual connection with one’s own deep-seated intuition. Zen and martial arts are two practices that, although they may seem worlds apart, follow very similar if not the same guiding principles and goals. Martial arts without Zen are merely physical training or sport but with it they become a way of life. Martial arts in their finest form are much more then a physical contest between two opponents. Essentially they are avenues through which one can achieve spiritual serenity, mental tranquility, and the deepest of self-confidence. Martial arts began to develop this emphasis on personal spiritual growth in the sixteenth century when the need for fighting skills in the orient diminished. The martial arts were transformed from a practical means of combat to spiritual educational training that emphasizes personal development. The role of Zen in the martial arts defies easy definition because Zen has no theory; it is in inner knowing for which there is no clearly stated dogma. Zen’s ultimate goal is to free the individual from anger, illusion, and false passion as is that of martial arts. I began my study of the martial arts early last year when I decided to make that the focus of my senior project, since then I have noticed great changes in my everyday life and my behavior. My training, physically, involved me taking up karate lessons at a local dojo as well as gymnastics classes, both of which greatly improved my physical strength, conditioning, and agility. In accordance with the physical study of martial arts I began reading books on martial arts and the Zen Buddhist characteristics that are embedded in them. As my training persisted I continued to grow physically but I also began noticing changes in my everyday life. As I began to acquire skill, I realized that I was simultaneously tapping into the Zen mindset that fascinates me. As I became exhausted, I was able to push that aside in my mind and experience a calming and energizing state. Physically, I became able to sustain exercise at a level I had never before achieved. I was able to focus more intently on lectures and on my homework. I also found that I was naturally seeking organization in physical environment as well as my written work. In terms of my senior project I think my training will give me both the strength and confidence to perform in front of a crowd of my peers. As for my martial arts career after my project, I hope to continue my pursuit of both physical and mental excellence. Bibliography Frantzis, B. K. The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I. New York: Blue Snake, 2007. Print. Green, Thomas A. Encyclopedia: Martial Arts of the World. ABC-CLIO, 2001. Print. Hyams, Joe. Zen in the Martial Arts. New York: Bantam, 1982. Print. "Information - Complete Martial Arts.com." CompleteMartialArts.com - Most comprehensive Martial Arts Site. Web. 12 Jan. 2010. <http://www.completemartialarts.com/information/information.htm>. "Internal Kung fu." Chiflow nei jia kung fu. Web. 12 Jan. 2010. <http://www.chiflow.com/html/gas_kungfu.htm>. Lloyd, Bryant. Martial Arts The History (Lloyd, Bryant, Martial Arts.). Grand Rapids: Rourke, 1998. Print. Okazaki, Teruyuki. Perfection of Character Guiding Principles for the Martial Arts & Everyday Life. Grand Rapids: GMW, 2006. Print. Ueshiba, Morihei. The Art of Peace. Boston: Shambhala, 2007. Print.