"BUDO" - The First Budo Congress
Last Updated: 11.03.2007
The First Budo Congress was held October 5, 2007 at the Polish Olympic Committee Hall in
Warsaw, Poland. This historic Congress was attended by top Budo leaders as well as academic
professors of History, Philosophy and Physical Education. Hidetaka Nishiyama, Chairman of the
International Traditional Karate Federation, delivered the initial presentation, which was followed by
discussions and a Question and Answer Session. The following is a compilation of results of the
First Budo Congress.

"The aim of Budo is perfection of self by seeking and training in the Martial Arts."

I.  Evolution of Budo        

      A. Combat Techniques to Bu-Gei (Martial Arts)

    In Japan, during periods of internal conflict (1493-1573) fighting techniques (Bu-Jitsu) were
    developed.  These early fighting techniques, which included swordsmanship, archery,
    spearmanship, long handed sword (Naginata), horseback riding, grappling, etc., were
    developed for group fighting. In 1603, Ieyasu Tokugawa took control and brought peace to
    the country, which lasted 250 years. This situation resulted in many combat experts seeking
    to change the early group fighting techniques to individual techniques

    Experts of the various fighting systems sought, developed and established high level
    techniques and training systems, called Ryu-Ha (Style). As techniques became more
    detailed and polished, the public began to recognize these movements as art, eventually
    calling them Bu-Gei (Martial Arts).

    Records indicate that the oldest fighting styles were formed as early as 1000 A.D., among
    them Kashima-No-Tachi swordsmanship. By 1600, there were more than 40 Style groups.

    Remark:
    Evidence or data was found showing that, towards the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate
    (around 1860), a number of Styles of Budo existed:

                   Style                                                Number of Schools
                    Archery                                                        71   (10)
                    Horseback Riding                                    67      (6)
                    Swordsmanship (Including I’ai)          745 (120)
                    Spearmanship                                        192   (26)
                    Jujutsu                                                      179   (12)
               
    Note:
    Numbers within parentheses ( ) indicate schools sharing the same Style system but
    under another name.


        B. Bu-Gei (Martial Arts) to Budo

    After the military regime of the Tokugawa rulers, Samurai (hereditary professional soldiers)
    became the governing class and the study of the Martial Arts became mandatory.

    Eventually, specialists and experts from various areas of education soon recognized Martial
    Arts not only as art but an important tool in the formation of human character and scale.  
    These experts influenced the educational system as follows:

    1. Martial Arts Leaders

    Martial Arts Leaders established training fundamentals as follows:

    (a)        Decorum
    The study of Martial Arts is the unlimited seeking of a higher level of personal
    development of mind, body and spirit.  Therefore, when a student’s ego convinces
    him that he is the best, his development can no longer continue.  The instructor must
    teach the student to be humble, modest and always respectful of instructors, training
    partners and others. This will enable the student to continue on his or her path to
    understanding Budo and is the reason why it is important for instructors to teach and
    preserve this decorum in the training area.  

    (b) Stable Emotion
    Martial Arts training teaches one to react with proper judgment and action without
    fear, hesitation or self-doubt, thereby preparing one to face any dangerous situation.
    To create stable emotions, it is important to begin and end training sessions with
    meditation as one can easily lose control of emotions while training in the fighting
    arts. Stable emotions are therefore very necessary in Martial Arts.

    (c) Seriousness of Intention
    Students of Martial Arts should train with a focused attitude and understand that their
    training prepares them for life and death situations.  This level of effort helps one
    focus mentally and physically not only in Martial Arts but in daily life as well.

    (d) Self-Challenge
    The objective of Martial Arts training is self-development.  Each day the student must
    try to be better than yesterday, always striving to improve technical skills as well as
    mental attitude.  Similarly, the objective of training is not seeking to defeat a less
    skilled or weaker opponent, as this only stunts a student’s development.  

    (e) Self-Discipline and Hard Training
    Hard training and discipline are fundamental to Martial Arts.  Modern sports
    psychologists agree that discipline and training are keys to overcoming self-doubt,
    fear and nervousness.

    2. Religious Masters

    After a Martial Artist becomes proficient in his techniques, one “ceiling” that can hinder further
    progress is nervousness.  For example, while competing in a match, doubt and
    nervousness can result in the loss of mental and physical balance and thereby compromise
    proper control of techniques. Zen Buddhist masters and other religious schools of thought
    have sought the means to eliminate such a condition.

    Zen philosophy focuses on the concept of Mu-shin or “no mind” * meaning a removal of all
    unnecessary emotion.  A study of Buddhist tenets combined with meditation from the Za-Zen
    sitting position is employed to achieve Mu-Shin.     

    *Dr. Ikutaro Nishida, Professor of Philosophy, explains “No mind is mind of no mind”.

    In the late 16th century Japan, a high-ranking Zen Buddhist monk named Takuan was asked
    by Munenori Yagyu, who was a sword instructor to the Shogun, to write about the concept of
    Mu-shin and its Martial Arts application.  This resulted in the book “Fudouchi Shinmyoroku.”  
    Today, this Zen Buddhist influence can be seen in the opening and closing “Sei-za”
    (meditative seating ceremony) practiced at most Martial Arts training halls in an effort to
    reach Mu-shin.  

    Remark:
    What Martial Arts received from religious masters was not religion itself but a method or an
    approach on the way to achieve Mu-shin.

    3. Confucians

    Confucians recognized the value of Martial Arts training as a way to educate the working
    class people who contribute to the progress and development of their country.  The influence
    of the Confucians is evident

    in the ethics and social morals taught in Martial Arts training.

    4. Medical Researchers

    Medical researchers agree that Martial Arts training is a form of physical education.  

    The advice and research described above complete the evolution of the Way (“Do”) of human
    development through Martial Arts (“Bu”).  

    Each Style or Martial Arts Group followed its own established system, but none of these
    systems were practiced nationwide. After Japan became a constitutional nation in 1867,
    Judo (in 1899) and Kendo (in 1927) established competition rules and both formed unified
    nationwide organizations.

    In 1911, Kendo (Swordsmanship) and Judo, under the name “Budo”, were taught as
    mandatory basic mental and physical education beginning in Middle School.

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