Philosophy
Posener’s Pankration / MMA Vancouver A Mixed Martial Arts Style Emphasizing Traditional Philosophy. The main philosophies of Martial Arts are exemplified in the Tenets and 10 Martial Virtues. Through adherence to the philosophy, character development progresses. All the rituals and formalities of our style, (bowing and saying OS, etc.) have a philosophical and spiritual meaning. However, the depth of study and resultant understanding is dependent on the student.
With repetitive and aware indoctrination of the school philosophies, the principles can become internalized to develop a positive code of conduct.
ZEN concepts are employed to enhance clarity.
“Our goal is to provide a positive example that will strengthen the individual and correspondingly, like a ripple effect, strengthen the family, the community and society. In our opinion when the philosophy is developed in the individual, drugs, violence and crime will be eliminated from that individual, and hopefully, the positive example will spread.
Explanation of the Tenets
Courtesy
The student should try to put into practice the following, in addition to the etiquette (manners):
- To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.
- To be ashamed of one’s vices and having contempt for the vice of others.
- To be polite to one another.
- To encourage the sense of justice.
- To distinguish the instructor from the student and senior from the junior.
Integrity
A person must be able to define right and wrong, and have conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed below are some examples, where integrity is lacking:
- The Instructor who misrepresents himself and his Art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
- The student who misrepresents himself by “fixing” breaking material before demonstrations.
- The Instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious training halls and false flattery to his students.
- The student who requests rank from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
- The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
- The Instructor that teaches and promotes his Art for materialistic gains.
Perseverance
- Do not quit
- Keep moving
- Stick to it
There is an old Oriental saying, “Patience leads to virtue or merit. One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times.” Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set his goal then constantly persevere. Robert Bruce, a famous Scotsman, learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him to his homeland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance.
Self-Control
“Knowing yourself helps you to know others”
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the school. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one’s capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.
Indomitable-Spirit
“The mobilization of fear feelings”
A serious student will at all times be modest, honest and capable of responding to injustice with indomitable spirit, sincerely and savagely.
10 Martial Virtues
- We are proud to be Martial Artists.
- We shall always practice and study.
- We shall always be quick to seize opportunity.
- We shall always keep the fighting spirit of our Arts.
- We shall always be persons of quality.
- We shall always respect the Laws of Reality.
- We shall always be prepared for Life and Death.
- We shall always love our Parents, Teachers, and Family.
- We shall always be true to ourselves, martial arts, and country.
- We shall always plan our work, and work our plan.