Bodhidharma found many of the monks diminished in both their physical as well as their spiritual well being. His manner of instruction was based on enlightenment rather than confrontation. After the death of Bodhidharma, the Shaolin Temples fell under siege. It was during this period where the teachings of Bodhidharma were applied and the fighting art of Chuan Fa surfaced.

The art of Chuan Fa, translated to Kempo, the law of the fist, began to spread to Okinawa and Japan. This art would take on many faces throughout history emerging in the twentieth century as Kosho Ryu Kempo or the Old Pine Tree School. James Mitose had studied in Japan under his uncle, a Kempo Master, and introduced the art in Hawaii in 1936.

William Chow was a student of Mitose and in 1949 began his own school. As an innovator Chow made many refinements to the art. Chow would go on to mentor some of the best martial artists of the time. None was better known than Ed Parker, the founder of American Kenpo.

Today Kenpo has taken on many faces and is pursued as the best style for the street. The art has been labeled by many as a true fighting system. This supposition only scratches the surface and is unfortunate to say the least. Kenpo emphasizes the encompassment of both mind and body. It is not intended as a means of destroying an opponent by force. Kenpo is not a call to arms. Instead Kenpo as an art is a call for inner peace, awareness of the universe around us, and the mastery of oneself.

Kempo is also referred to as a Do. Do is defined in Buddhist Zen scripts as a path towards enlightenment.

The Taoism priest, Lao Tzu, said “Mastering others requires force, mastering the self requires enlightenment.” Kenpo is an art where the centralization of mind and body is hidden beneath the facade of physical force. Ying Kuckan, a Shaolin Monk and Kempo Master said “Kempo is the power of adaptability and yielding, the harmony of all things working together.”

Kenpo is an art of endless possibilities. The art applies the Han dynasty principle where “nothing is impossible to a willing mind.” To be content with the shell of Kenpo is missing the fruit of the art. The teaching of inner peace and the awareness of the surrounding universe is the energy that nourishes the body. It is this energy that is intoxicating while sobering at the same time.

Attainment of goals is always begun by the first step. Sometimes these goals can be reached with relative ease. Other goals may take years or may never be reached at all. That does not mean that the seeker of these goals may have failed. It could be that circumstances and experience may have redefined the goal. So is the attainment of becoming a Master of the art of Kenpo. Since Kenpo in itself is a fluid thought, can it really be defined by a goal?

Understanding that Kenpo is the power of adaptability and yielding; the universe working in harmony; makes it difficult for the practitioner to ever have a complete comprehension of the force and magnitude of the process. To aspire for perfection is a noble thought, but unrealistic in reality. However, denial of the aspiration to do so is in itself defeat. To become a true Master one must never be arrogant enough to allow yourself the grandeur of self-indulgence.

It is the ignorant individual who has all the answers. No one can learn by talking. Only by using all your senses, to include hearing, can the individual be a true master, a master of self. Until then realistic goals may be drawn and attainment of a true Kenpo Master may be finally consummated.

In the process of composing this theme it draws to the attention your own inadequacies and short comings. You have to ask yourself with the years of dedication by so many are you really worthy of the rank of Shodan. It is my understanding that my teacher Judan Jack Searcy feels that I am, and I will not question his recommendation.

Granted over the past forty years I have learned much – but I feel I have many miles to travel to even begin to suggest that I have a true understanding of the force. It is as I compose this theme that I have the greatest doubts about my understanding of the force. I do have a certain level of the understanding of war and the use of force. I feel that I also have the tranquility of peace and inner strength. However, to have a comprehension to the level of Shodan is in question.

The constant striving for a high level of a code of ethics and a moral awareness must take precedence. In any case, martial arts if peeled of its outside hard shell of self defense, physical fitness and competition, can produce the fruit of character development, discipline and respect.

Comments are closed.