About Us
"Though a man may conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand men, he who conquers himself is the Greatest Warrior." ~Buddha Shakyamuni (Dhammapada, Verse 103)
The Korean Bulgyo Musool Association (Korean Buddhist Martial Arts Association) was originally founded in 1968 at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul South Korea, by Grand Masters Il Bung Sunim and Lee Han Chul. Originally developed as an avenue to network practitioners of traditional Korean martial arts, who viewed their training as a primarily spiritual pursuit, for the purposes of research, development and training, the Korean Bulgyo Musool Association continues in this vein today promoting a holistic and distinctly Buddhist approach to the practice and teaching of Korean Martial Arts.
Offering networking, seminar and personalized training options, curriculum development assistance, and certification opportunities the KBMA welcomes into our practice and fellowship all who genuinely seek to embrace the practice of Zen Buddhism, especially as exemplified in the vehicle of Buddhist Martial Arts, as a direction in their daily lives. Uniquely, we also offer opportunities for training and ordination in the Zen Buddhist tradition to qualified, and interested individuals, as perhaps the most unique aspect of our offerings.
To clarify, to seek participation, membership, and/or certification in the KBMA one need not "convert" to Buddhism, in fact the KBMA does not turn anyone away from engaging the programs of our association, regardless of faith history, age, economic reality, education, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, nationality, physical or mental ability, race, sexual orientation, and/or life experience. You simply must be committed to the practice of traditional martial arts as a primarily spiritual pursuit, informed by the practices of Zen Buddhism as necessary to uphold the Eight Commitments of a KBMA Member as defined by our KBAA Statement of Belief:
Offering networking, seminar and personalized training options, curriculum development assistance, and certification opportunities the KBMA welcomes into our practice and fellowship all who genuinely seek to embrace the practice of Zen Buddhism, especially as exemplified in the vehicle of Buddhist Martial Arts, as a direction in their daily lives. Uniquely, we also offer opportunities for training and ordination in the Zen Buddhist tradition to qualified, and interested individuals, as perhaps the most unique aspect of our offerings.
To clarify, to seek participation, membership, and/or certification in the KBMA one need not "convert" to Buddhism, in fact the KBMA does not turn anyone away from engaging the programs of our association, regardless of faith history, age, economic reality, education, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, nationality, physical or mental ability, race, sexual orientation, and/or life experience. You simply must be committed to the practice of traditional martial arts as a primarily spiritual pursuit, informed by the practices of Zen Buddhism as necessary to uphold the Eight Commitments of a KBMA Member as defined by our KBAA Statement of Belief:
KBMAA Statement of Belief
We believe in the mystery that is our lives.
Within this, we observe through the teachings of some of the greatest Masters of Zen Buddhism and its somatic expression of Buddhist Martial Arts, that our lives function most clearly through questions, rather than within concrete ideas and constructs, metaphors or philosophies.
We thus understand that at its heart, the traditional practice of Zen Buddhism (and therein, Buddhist Martial Arts) is the great work of realizing the mystery of life, and consequently death.
What is life? What is death?
In the realization of resolition to these questions, we learn that we may awaken to the inherent clarity, inherent completion, and inherent interdependent connection in and of all things, and with this, a sense of true freedom, wonder, and unconditional loving, compassionate regard in our lives.
We observe that this awakening takes place within this very moment, not in some future time or place. We therefore seek to engage our lives within their constant unfolding in each and every moment, just as it appears whilst radiating the unconditional loving, compassionate regard that spontaneously arises within an awakening heart.
We are resolved that the awakening heart seeks its highest expression in lives lived out in service to the wellbeing and awakening of others.
Within this, we observe through the teachings of some of the greatest Masters of Zen Buddhism and its somatic expression of Buddhist Martial Arts, that our lives function most clearly through questions, rather than within concrete ideas and constructs, metaphors or philosophies.
We thus understand that at its heart, the traditional practice of Zen Buddhism (and therein, Buddhist Martial Arts) is the great work of realizing the mystery of life, and consequently death.
What is life? What is death?
In the realization of resolition to these questions, we learn that we may awaken to the inherent clarity, inherent completion, and inherent interdependent connection in and of all things, and with this, a sense of true freedom, wonder, and unconditional loving, compassionate regard in our lives.
We observe that this awakening takes place within this very moment, not in some future time or place. We therefore seek to engage our lives within their constant unfolding in each and every moment, just as it appears whilst radiating the unconditional loving, compassionate regard that spontaneously arises within an awakening heart.
We are resolved that the awakening heart seeks its highest expression in lives lived out in service to the wellbeing and awakening of others.
The Eight Commitments of a KBMA Member
1. I commit to discovering moments each day for silence and stillness, to allow space for equanimity, and learn to not be hindered by our culture of noise and constant stimulation.
2. I commit to continuous acts of generosity by welcoming the stranger both without and within. I recognize that when I allow space inside my heart for the unrealized essence of my true self, I cultivate compassion and the ability to accept those places in others.
3. I commit to cultivating sangha by befriending kindred practitioners along the path of martial arts, friends with whom I can share my deepest aspirations, and mentors who can offer guidance and wisdom along this path called life.
4. I commit to cultivating awareness of my kinship with all things and a healthy simplicity by discerning my use of energy and things, letting go of what does not allow nature to flourish.
5. I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I engage whether rewarded or voluntary, and in this to my practice of martial arts, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express true dharma in the world in meaningful ways.
6. I commit to rhythms of rest and renewal through the vigilant practice of "holding a great question" alongside the somatic elements inherent in martial artistry, and to resist the backseat driver of thought that limits the unhindered expression of this very moment.
7. I commit to a lifetime of ongoing opening to this present moment, recognizing that this path will never be free of possibilities for growth and transcendence.
8. I commit to being a dancing practitioner, cultivating creative joy, and allowing body and mind to be grounded with the limitless manifestation of unconditional loving, compassionate regard.
2. I commit to continuous acts of generosity by welcoming the stranger both without and within. I recognize that when I allow space inside my heart for the unrealized essence of my true self, I cultivate compassion and the ability to accept those places in others.
3. I commit to cultivating sangha by befriending kindred practitioners along the path of martial arts, friends with whom I can share my deepest aspirations, and mentors who can offer guidance and wisdom along this path called life.
4. I commit to cultivating awareness of my kinship with all things and a healthy simplicity by discerning my use of energy and things, letting go of what does not allow nature to flourish.
5. I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I engage whether rewarded or voluntary, and in this to my practice of martial arts, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express true dharma in the world in meaningful ways.
6. I commit to rhythms of rest and renewal through the vigilant practice of "holding a great question" alongside the somatic elements inherent in martial artistry, and to resist the backseat driver of thought that limits the unhindered expression of this very moment.
7. I commit to a lifetime of ongoing opening to this present moment, recognizing that this path will never be free of possibilities for growth and transcendence.
8. I commit to being a dancing practitioner, cultivating creative joy, and allowing body and mind to be grounded with the limitless manifestation of unconditional loving, compassionate regard.
The KBMA Statement of Belief and Eight Commitments are informed by the classical Zen Buddhist teachings of the Threefold Refuge, Four Great Vows, Five Ethical Precepts, and Six Perfections
The Threefold Refuge
1.) Refuge in Buddha (Awakening)
2.) Refuge in Dharma (Teachings and Practices)
3.) Refuge in Sangha (Community of Teachers and Practitioners)
2.) Refuge in Dharma (Teachings and Practices)
3.) Refuge in Sangha (Community of Teachers and Practitioners)
The Four Great Vows
- Sentient beings are numberless; we vow to serve them all.
- Delusions are endless; we vow to cut through them all.
- The teachings are infinite; we vow to learn them all.
- The Buddha Way is inconceivable; we vow to realize it.
The Five Ethical Precepts
1.) To endeavor to serve all living creatures, and thus refrain from harming others with violent intent.
2.) To endeavor to respect the stewardship of others, and thus refrain from taking things not given.
3.) To endeavor to regard all beings with unconditional loving, compassionate regard, and thus refrain from objectifying others.
4.) To endeavor to live in truth, and thus refrain from obscuring truth.
5.) To endeavor to maintain a clear mind and thus refrain from deluding myself and others.
2.) To endeavor to respect the stewardship of others, and thus refrain from taking things not given.
3.) To endeavor to regard all beings with unconditional loving, compassionate regard, and thus refrain from objectifying others.
4.) To endeavor to live in truth, and thus refrain from obscuring truth.
5.) To endeavor to maintain a clear mind and thus refrain from deluding myself and others.
The Six Perfections
1.) Dāna Pāramitā: Generosity in Presence
2.) Śīla Pāramitā: Ethical Discipline in Action
3.) Kṣānti Pāramitā: Endurance in Experience
4.) Vīrya Pāramitā: Diligence in Effort
5.) Dhyāna Pāramitā: Attention in Each Moment
6.) Prajñā Pāramitā: Wisdom Transcendent
2.) Śīla Pāramitā: Ethical Discipline in Action
3.) Kṣānti Pāramitā: Endurance in Experience
4.) Vīrya Pāramitā: Diligence in Effort
5.) Dhyāna Pāramitā: Attention in Each Moment
6.) Prajñā Pāramitā: Wisdom Transcendent