Ethics, fair-play, bushido….
words very often used, when one is describing a positive or even extraordinary positive behaviour, honourable and courage acts or unselfish actions or attitude. In ju-jitsu world we are giving a significant importance to sportsmanlike behaviour or fair play.
Martial Arts could be seen as something with brutal force and physical strength, although that is far from reality.
There is an old saying pertaining to martial arts, which states, “One must first learn civility before he learns the art, and one must first know his ethics before he knows his skills”.
Civility here refers to good manners, courtesy, respect and consideration for others. Ethics, on the other hand, is a fundamental set of acceptable behaviour which codifies the spirit of martial arts and which martial artists can rely on to cultivate their body and mind, and to guide their everyday actions and judgement.
Ethics is an indivisible part of the study of martial art and sets the moral guidelines for martial artists. Ethics principles serve as the traditional, cultural and social standard by which practitioners are trained in martial arts. Central to these principles is the concept of non-violence, respect for oneself and others, loyalty to one’s family and country, and the following of the natural way.
The adherence to ethics confirms our moral obligation to society and fellow human beings as well as towards nature which surrounds us. The concept also includes the attitudes, lifestyle as well as the social and moral behaviour of the practitioner. It is the manner in which one behaves in both word and action. A practitioner of martial arts is not only a superior athlete, well-versed in combat, but also upstanding citizen with good moral and social virtues.
Fulfilling the ethical principles is the true spirit and ultimate goal of the way of martial arts inspire all of us (less than perfect beings) to continually strive for perfection within ourselves.
Ethics
eth·ics
–plural noun
1.
(used with a singular or plural verb) a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.
2.
the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: medical ethics; Christian ethics.
3.
moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.
4.
(usually used with a singular verb) that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.
(source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethics) play
Fair play
–noun
just and honorable treatment, action, or conduct: The political campaign was notably lacking in fair play.
Conformity to established rules; upright conduct and equitable conditions. For example, The coach insists on fair play . Shakespeare used this idiom in King John (5:2): “According to the fair play of the world, let me have audience.” [Late 1500s]