Courtesy (Ye Ui)
Taekwondo-Do students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character:
1. To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.
2. To behave oneself according to etiquette.
3. To be polite to one another.
4. To handle matters with fairness and sincerity.
5. To distinguish instructor from student, senor from junior, elder from younger.
6. To be ashamed of one’s vices, contempting those of others.
7. To encourage the sense of justice and humanity.
8. To respect others’ possessions.
9. To refrain from giving or accepting any gift when in doubt.
Integrity (Yom Chi)
In discussing the word integrity, one must be able to define right and wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. The following are examples when integrity is lacking:
1. The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of lack of knowledge or apathy.
2. The student who misrepresent himself by “fixing’ breaking materials before demonstrations.
3. The student who request rank from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
4. The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
5. The student whose actions do not live up to his words.
6. The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his juniors.
Perseverance (In Nae)
To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set his goal, and then constantly go after it. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Taekwon-Do is to over-come every difficulty by perseverance.
Self Control (Guk Gi)
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the do jang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one’s personal affairs. 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 is also a lack of self-control.
According to Lao-Tzu, “The term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else.”
Indomitable Spirit (Baekjool Boolgool)
A serious student of Taekwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will deal with it without any fear or hesitation at all, regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be. Those who have pursued their dreams earnestly and strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed to achieve their goals.
STUDENTS OATH
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do
I shall respect the instructor and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world