| What is Kunja? |
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| Website Designed by J Watson last Updated: September 2009 |
The word Kunja is considered to be a very high
class word in the Korean language. According
to the Korean-English dictionary, Kunja is, ‘man
of virtue, a true gentleman; a wise man’. Kunja is
a person who is a model of virtue, a person with
wisdom, courage, and understanding of natural
laws with a deep appreciation of humanity. As
martial artists we must strive to uphold the
ideals of humanity, such as, justice, courtesy,
wisdom, trust, goodness, virtue, loyalty, and
courage as well as endeavor to incorporate
these ideals into our daily lives in order to attain
perfection of character. For example, we must
strive to make courage mean more than simply
never retreating in the face of the enemy.
Courage not only pertains to fighting, but also
to our jobs, our homework, or the way we
conduct our personal, and professional lives,
and relationships. It is action, when action must
be taken. The study of the martial arts is much
more than just learning to punch and kick, joint
lock and throw, or the physical study of self
defense. We have all heard that the martial arts
is a way of life. While many martial artists pay lip
service to this concept it is rarely explained in
real-life practical applications. Rather it is
discussed in vague, mystical terms. It is often
thought that, somehow, as a student progresses
in the martial arts, they will simply understand
how this all fits together when they become a
black belt. We can not leave such an important
phase of the martial arts to providence. So, how
do the martial arts improve your character and
make you a ‘better person’?
In the West, we tend to explain ideas in
straightforward and linear terms. While in the
East, the approach to the teaching of concepts
is more indirect. A lesson apparently designed to
teach one specific task actually has broader
implications. We should realize that the basic
lessons learned from the martial arts have
meaning beyond that of the physical realm. We
use the physical lessons and concepts such as
balance, focus, flow, and control as a vehicle
for teaching skills for living. Employing these
concepts into one's life allows us to mature and
grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and
spiritually. The concept of Kunja is very
important to martial artists. As disciples of the
martial arts we should all aspire to become
Kunja. We should strive to become persons who
are models of virtue. We must always endeavor
to demonstrate wisdom through intelligent
decision. We must strive to overcome our
selfishness and partiality as well as shed our
egos. It is said that the ultimate goal of the
martial arts is the perfection of ones character.
However, perfection is a relative term. It is a
goal constantly strived for but never really
reached. Indeed it is the constant striving for
perfection which is the key to becoming Kunja;
not perfection's attainment.
We all must take the time to emphasize the ideals
and virtues of Kunja. We must learn to uphold
and employ these ideals and acquire virtues
through our actions, and example. Our main
concern should not be only how hard we can
punch or kick, or how many boards we can break,
but rather, we should be proud of the way we
conduct our lives.
Professor Don Burns
Some questions to think about:
class word in the Korean language. According
to the Korean-English dictionary, Kunja is, ‘man
of virtue, a true gentleman; a wise man’. Kunja is
a person who is a model of virtue, a person with
wisdom, courage, and understanding of natural
laws with a deep appreciation of humanity. As
martial artists we must strive to uphold the
ideals of humanity, such as, justice, courtesy,
wisdom, trust, goodness, virtue, loyalty, and
courage as well as endeavor to incorporate
these ideals into our daily lives in order to attain
perfection of character. For example, we must
strive to make courage mean more than simply
never retreating in the face of the enemy.
Courage not only pertains to fighting, but also
to our jobs, our homework, or the way we
conduct our personal, and professional lives,
and relationships. It is action, when action must
be taken. The study of the martial arts is much
more than just learning to punch and kick, joint
lock and throw, or the physical study of self
defense. We have all heard that the martial arts
is a way of life. While many martial artists pay lip
service to this concept it is rarely explained in
real-life practical applications. Rather it is
discussed in vague, mystical terms. It is often
thought that, somehow, as a student progresses
in the martial arts, they will simply understand
how this all fits together when they become a
black belt. We can not leave such an important
phase of the martial arts to providence. So, how
do the martial arts improve your character and
make you a ‘better person’?
In the West, we tend to explain ideas in
straightforward and linear terms. While in the
East, the approach to the teaching of concepts
is more indirect. A lesson apparently designed to
teach one specific task actually has broader
implications. We should realize that the basic
lessons learned from the martial arts have
meaning beyond that of the physical realm. We
use the physical lessons and concepts such as
balance, focus, flow, and control as a vehicle
for teaching skills for living. Employing these
concepts into one's life allows us to mature and
grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and
spiritually. The concept of Kunja is very
important to martial artists. As disciples of the
martial arts we should all aspire to become
Kunja. We should strive to become persons who
are models of virtue. We must always endeavor
to demonstrate wisdom through intelligent
decision. We must strive to overcome our
selfishness and partiality as well as shed our
egos. It is said that the ultimate goal of the
martial arts is the perfection of ones character.
However, perfection is a relative term. It is a
goal constantly strived for but never really
reached. Indeed it is the constant striving for
perfection which is the key to becoming Kunja;
not perfection's attainment.
We all must take the time to emphasize the ideals
and virtues of Kunja. We must learn to uphold
and employ these ideals and acquire virtues
through our actions, and example. Our main
concern should not be only how hard we can
punch or kick, or how many boards we can break,
but rather, we should be proud of the way we
conduct our lives.
Professor Don Burns
Some questions to think about:
- What does Kunja mean to you?
- How does it, or should it, apply to your daily
life and training?
- How should it influence your relationships
with others: your parents, classmates,
friends, enemies, students, teachers, the
environment?
- What responsibilities do you have as a black
belt?
- Why is the concept of Kunja important to
your development as an individual and as a
martial artist?
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