REI, OBI AND OUR DUTY
Karate begins and ends with Rei which literally means courtesy and respect. Courtesy and respect is generally expressed as simple dojo etiquette but it’s really much more than that. Rei is the spirit of giving thanks for bounty. It is the appreciation of life and good fortune. Inside the dojo smooth interaction relies heavily upon courtesy and respect to those around us. Within the dojo our courtesy and respect is shown mostly by Rei. Students bow to their Sensei, their Sempai, their dojo, and to one another when greeting each other and before and after partner work. By showing Rei during class, students and teachers are showing appreciation for the opportunity to train with and learn from each other. By treating their classmates with courtesy and respect, students also learn to recognize the hard work and discipline that everyone is devoting to their karate. The karateka also show respect to their gi, their obi and their school, which means they do not take these things for granted. Keep in mind that the appearance of your uniform and having your obi tied correctly is to a great extent a reflection of your practice of karate. Turning up to class on time is showing good Rei. As the karateka becomes accustomed to expressing Rei inside the dojo, they should endeavour to show similar effort and attention to the etiquette of everyday life. No-one likes to be offended. Treat everyobe you meet or come in contact with the same way that you would like to be treated. Never take good people nor good things in life for granted. This is the spirit of Rei.
Within most reputable karate schools the student who achieves their black belt has usually practiced their art for 4-5 or more years. Some statistics have shown that less than five people in a thousand who take up karate make it through to black belt and only one of those will make it through to become an instructor. The aim of the new black belt apart from helping to teach the lower grades while learning more advanced techniques themselves, is to uphold and strengthen the standard and moral fibre within their school. The belt itself symbolizes a reminder that the end of the belt is really the beginning and that our study has only just begun. It is there to remind us that we have reached a certain level and still have much to learn. The black belt is there to keep both master and student humble. To have an egotistic feeling when we wear our belt is wrong and shows a complete lack of understanding by the karateka as to what the martial arts is all about. It also shows very poor dojo etiquette. Characteristics such as egotism, greed and selfishness are an enemy to the karateka. It is only through the continual challenges that we face as we travel the path of budo that we can learn to develop positive qualities such as pride, loyalty, dedication courtesy, respect for ourselves and others, integrity, patience and humility. Through the development of these virtues the karateka gains purpose in life and respect for the world we live in and for those we share it with.
Todays martial arts have become tournament orientated with little if any love and brotherhood. And yet the real winners in life are the one’s who have learnt the truth about life and have developed a universal love for all. A true master is the one who has no time for anything in martial arts that promotes and feeds the ego. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to practice karate. Those who commence training and eventually make it to blackbelt are very fortunate. Those who become instructors, make karate their life and teach it as it was meant, are the chosen few. Learning to master the basics are the foundation of martial arts. If our basics are strong and our heart is pure then we in turn will be strong in mind, body and spirit. By continually working to strengthen our basics and our karate spirit, we learn to become a better person. We have a duty to ourselves, our students and our art to uphold the integrity, standard and strong moral fibre within the school, and to set the highest example we can for others to follow. We have a duty to care for and help teach the students who follow, not only to become the best they can at their chosen martial art but to help them to improve and become a better person also. We have a duty to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Our aim and our duty is to become one with nature and the universe in body, mind and spirit. The energy of the universe flows through all of us maintaining our love and well being. If we are one with nature then we are one with the universe.
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