Traditionally, the studies of Ju-Jitsu consist of both the practice of skills and the adherence to ethics. The skills learned from Ju-Jitsu practice hone our physical bodies, sharpen our reflexes and strengthen our resolves and they should be counterbalanced by good conduct.
The philosophy of Ju-Jitsu is the achieving of harmonious values by individuals who live by peace, wisdom, morals, love and self-discipline through intellectual means. The primary goal of learning Ju-Jitsu is to become a better understanding person who lives with a greater expectation of a sincere life.
Good quality of life also requires having a healthy life both mentally and physically. The art of Ju-Jitsu can not exist without the mental aspect, which is the foundation that physical improvements are built upon. Ju-Jitsu is much more than just a work-out. It is an alteration, both physically and mentally, of ones lifestyle that will last a life time. It seems to be an issue of bridging the actions with the thoughts, or integrating fighting and philosophy.
Any worthwhile accomplishment requires a certain amount of dedication, effort and discipline. This is no less evident in Ju-Jitsu training. Every aspect of Ju-Jitsu requires the harmonisation of the mind and body. This harmonisation is achieved through mental focus and concentration combined with proper respiration and accurate physical techniques.
The aim of the Ju-Jitsu training is the welfare of the practitioner. Not only self-defence skills should be attained, but more importantly the focus should be on the individual’s character development. A well-rounded personality can be realised only if the spirit is right.
Therefore the main goal in Ju-Jitsu practice is to cultivate a person’s mind and body; not to use it as a means to vent one’s anger, frustration or emotional problems. As the serious Ju-Jitsu practitioners we should accept a philosophy of non-violence – a physical confrontation should be avoided whenever possible. The use of force is condoned only in self-defence or in the defence of those who are defenceless. It does not condone meaningless rivalry, foolish stunts, intimidation of others, violent behaviour, criminal activities, self-preening vanity, any vices or addictions. The Ju-Jitsu practitioner displays this courage in the use of his skills to satisfy the demands of ethics, and in defence of his country or fellow human beings against unjust violence, to the point of supreme self-sacrifice, if necessary. The Ju-Jitsu practitioner should use his knowledge only to protect himself and others from harm, and then only to the extent to protect and remove himself from the situation.
In November 2000 JJIF opened a new chapter in implementing ju-jitsu fair play into life – congress accepted a document addresses as “Book of Ethics” as a guidline to promote fair-play and ethics in different levels of life.