Originally posted by Jeff Cook
Dennis,
Hang in there, buddy - I feel your pain. I feel sadness rather than anger. In typical fashion, many folks brand a group of people as "bad" or "undesirable" because of the actions of a minority within the group.
Isn't it interesting to observe the overly defensive reactions to a worthy topic? Maybe we should count the various diversions and digressions that this topic has elicited. I wonder why that is. Would anybody care to explain?
Hell, let's talk about anything except the topic at hand.
Jeff Cook
Wabujitsu
Ok, staying in topic. Jeff I do think you are being a bit of a hypocrite, especially with having started this post.
Let me explain why I think so.
Wabujitsu: wa - "peaceful" or "harmonious", bujitsu - martial/peacekeeping arts of the samurai/warriors
I took this from your website. To consider that a mix of Judo and Karate create a JUTSU art is highly subjective view, but that is not my point. You are refering to your art as "Martial Arts of the Samurai". Considering where the Gendai Arts come from, I do agree with you. Now, don`t you think YOU should educate your students and prospective students who might look at your website, that these arts are related, connected and founded in relation with eastern philosophy and religions. E.g. there are handpostures or breathing techniques, etc... which are related to esoteric Buddhism. Don`t you also think that the fact that most dojo in Japan have kamidana in them, shows the relationship...
How come that you are upset about a dojo displaying a kamidana ??? Because it is a Christan place??? One they get money for the use of their facility, and if they don`t like having it there, and they don`t need to rent out the space... Two, a kamidana has ovbivously some kind of religous or spirtiual meaning. Do you think the YMCA administration believes the MA instructor puts up a dollhouse...???
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