the fighting monk

SHORINJI KEMPO INDIA

NARRATED BY

SENSEI KIRTIE FUTNANI

The story of one man in a war torn homeland. His

dream that changed people’s lives for the

better both in Japan and the world at large. It’s

the story of Kaiso Doshin So

THE FIGHTING MONK DOSHIN S O

POST WAR JAPAN


After Japan lost the war, the youth were

disenchanted with all authority. For example, up

to the war the teachers in schools would teach

that the Japanese people originated from Gods

and the emperor was a God and they are

invincible.

So it came as a real shock when they lost the war.

When Doshin So returned to Japan, he tried to

teach the doctrine of Kongo Zen and lecture on

Buddhist philosophy. But the only people who

would come to listen were old men and women.

So Doshin wanted to give the future leaders of the

society their sense of direction and right attitude in

life.

When he Doshin So was in China, he had studied

many forms of martial arts. At that time he learnt

just out of interest not believing that there was any

future in it because so many people had guns etc.,

which, no matter how fast you were you couldn’t

dodge a bullet.

Once, when he as sleeping he had a dream, where

Bodhidharma appeared to him and asked So

Doshin to follow him. When he woke up, he

decided to start teaching Shorinji Kempo.

He accepted anyone to train, giving them hard

training and also preaching on philosophy. Because

he could back it up with action, young people

began to listen.

EARLY BEGINNINGS


Doshin So’s reputation began to spread as <the

fighting monk>. The main teaching of Shorinji

Kempo is Kongo Zen. This is actually So Doshin’s

main message or purpose, not the martial art side.

Kongo Zen is to Shorinji Kempo what the

backbone is to the human body; without it we

have nothing.

Kongo Zen’s aim is to develop people who train to

reduce their own ego and whose actions are

designed to help other people.

So Doshin realized that the present attitude of

people whose aims are to better themselves with

no regard for others, destroys society.

Such selfish action, breaks society, brings division

and problems. The only way to achieve an ideal

society or heaven on earth is for people to be

motivated with the idea of helping others.

If everyone had this attitude then we would achieve

the ideal situation. Proof of this idea is how from

one man So Doshin, there is now millions of people

training in Shorinji Kempo. We also should have

the aim of spreading this idea.

KONGO ZEN, THE BACK BONE OF SHORINJI KEMPO

KONGO ZEN

DEVELOPMENT is based on

2 KEY FACTORS:


KEN ZEN ICHINYO

RIKI AI FUNI

THE GOAL


J I - T A K Y O R A K U

The goal of living together in harmony and happiness with others

HOKEI INDEPTH The techniques and practice methods which concretely embody the philosophy

of Shorinji Kempo. Each one of the forms may be used for self-defense,

but more importantly, through their everyday practice in and out of the dojo,

One will eventually understand the true meaning of Life.


SHUGYO INDEPTH It is the minimum moral standard for human conduct. Its a spiritual discipline

which is necessary to function as a human being in the lowest definition of

the word. Shugyo shows us one cannot live and function alone, that we

must carry the burdens of the elderly and children and that we are standing

and facing other human beings.


SHORINJIKEMPO INDEPTH

It is neither a martial art nor a sport, but rather a means of developing as a

complete human being.


TRUST OF SOCEITY

“It is my own opinion that Shorinji Kempo is in tune with the times. This has overlapped

with the trust society has placed in me, allowing Shorinji Kempo to gain a unique and solid

following.” – Kaiso Doshin So


OUR CONTACT DETAILS


We are interested in building strong human beings, who will function effectively in society wherever

they go.

PERAMBUR-NUNGAMBAKKAM-ALWARPET-KOTTIVAKKAM

www.shorinjikempo.org.in

[email protected]

+91-9025140051, 9940377944

www.shorinjikempo.org.in

Shorinjikempoindia

LOCATION:

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THANKS FOR YOUR TIME Shorinji Kempo has developed because sophisticated young people earnestly

reach for something beyond technique, reach for a spiritual element.

the fighting monk

Education