The 7 Principles of BUSHIDO


Inspired by Buddhist and Confucian principles, readapted to the warrior class, Bushido required respect of the values of honesty, loyalty, justice, piety, duty, and honour to be pursued until death.

1. Gi: Rectitude Be scrupulously honest in your relationships with others, believe in justice that comes not from other people but from you yourself. The true Samurai holds no uncertainty on the question of honesty and justice. There is only that which is right and that which is wrong.

2. Yu: Heroic Courage Elevate yourself above the masses that are scared to act, hiding like a turtle in its shell is not living. A Samurai must possess heroic courage, that is absolutely risky and dangerous, which means living a complete, full, marvellous life. Heroic courage is not blind but intelligent and strong.

3. Jin: Benevolence Intense training makes Samurai strong and fast. He is different from the others, he holds a power that has to be used for the common good. He possesses compassion, he takes every opportunity to be of help to his neighbours and if the opportunity doesn’t present itself he does everything he can to find one.

4. Rei: Kind Courtesy Samurais have no reason to behave themselves in a cruel manner, they don’t need to show off their own strength. A samurai is kind even with his enemies. Without such a demonstration of exterior respect, a man is little more than an animal. The Samurai is respected not only for his strength in battle but also for how he interacts with other humans.

5. Makoto or Shin: Complete Honesty When a Samurai expresses the intention to complete an action, then it is practically already completed, nothing will keep him from bringing the expressed intention to its conclusion. He needs neither to “give his word” nor to promise. Speaking and acting are the same things.

6. Meiyo: Honor There is only one judge of honour for the Samurai: himself. The decisions you make and the actions that follow them are a reflection of that which you are in reality. You cannot hide from yourself.

7. Chugi: Duty and Loyalty For the Samurai, completing an action or expressing something is equivalent to becoming the owner. He assumes full responsibility for them, even for the consequences of them. The Samurai is immensely loyal to those he takes care of. He remains fiercely loyal to those he is responsible for.

Comentários

Mensagens populares deste blogue

Noite de S. João

A sensibilidade é um super poder

Afinal o Principezinho está certo: "É muito simples: só se vê bem com o coração. O essencial é invisível para os olhos."