A historical Perspective During the Reign of

CHUI #14

As stated in page 348 the reasons for mind, body and spiritual conditioning are many. One must train both hands and feet for many tasks and this is done thru extensive martial drills as is seen in Shorin Kobushi-Ho and in Kon-Ho. Some techniques mystify or baffle some in that they are shown one application but it is up to the user to seek out the applications and hone them.

There are techniques that probably a Shorin Saint like Daruma knew of that he never passed on these are the mysterious techniques that some quest for. But without perfecting the basics these would do an adept no good.
Ones journey thru life in this field is not as mediocre as it seems. There are merits to all arts, which one can benefit from, but sometimes a person often overlooks the basics when studying.
Bypass these basics for a larger piece of the pie often ends one up in a mediocre state. This must be avoided.
One must also learn that when one is trained in an art such as Kon-Ho (Staff way or law) one carry’s the body differently both physically and spiritually. One is trained in all situations i.e., swimming, climbing, etc all require different body postures and energy patterns to make the artwork.
When one is fighting one must be as fierce as the tiger and when passive one acts like the crane. When one is dormant one assumes the dragon posture.
The laws of Shorin are many ones conduct in this art are paramount above all else. Buddhists attain a certain level of conduct thru spirituality. Shorin adepts achieve the same thru their austere training of the mind, body and spirit thru the use of the hands and feet learning the various postures and energy patterns of the five basic styles Dragon, Tiger, leopard, Snake, and Crane.
In the late years of the priest Rinsho who was taken captive he plied his trade to stay alive. It was a tradeoff train or die. He trained but the training he gave was different than what he was taught. It appeared the same but was not. The way he taught was known as the Big Way Small Way fist. This hard/soft way he taught was something very different. One can either be like the rock or the flower. Although this art he taught was valuable much was missing from the original Shorin style. But something else was created as a result of this ruse a new art form. Many followed in its path and excelled. But what was the end result victory or defeat.
What this arts predecessor had in mind was to form a culmination of mind, body and spirit in this way one had to choose of being physical or spiritual on the physical side of the staff way one learned seven techniques or ideas; 1. Shichi-Ho (Seven Laws), 2. Ten (Points), 3. Hatsu (Bones), 4. So (The Sweep), 5. Zei (The pileup), 6. En (Pressing Techniques), 7. Za (The resting position). These were basics. Was this the end? No there was always more but that had to be divined by the student. A technique was just that without the spiritual or mental training the body was a hollow vessel but once broken that was it. What Rinsho taught during his captivity was just work for him teaching the staff way an nothing else. Yes they were taught techniques and he polished them for their end state not his.
The staff way was a very hard art to learn, as there were many variations on a particular theme. So many ways to strike obliquely, vertically, horizontally, front, rear side-to-side etc. One needs to learn distance, breathing and circularity.
For example the tiger circles before he attacks assessing his prey before striking, looking for the weakness in a prey. Also what can be applied on the left must be reversed and worked so it can be utilized on the opposite side. This is especially true if one is hurt one side or the other. The same applies to the fist way.
Every thing in these arts is technique based and one must always drill, drill, drill, and polish, polish, polish.

Sonwa Seishu nin (Hensha)

Shorin Kobushi Jutsu Higo Yori

(From the editor’s comments on secrets

of Shorin Kobushi Jutsu)
CHUI #15
Chugoku Kobushi-Ho Kai de Shorin ju kai mata na Kakuen Shonin ju
Kai toshite shirareru dento teki na Kairitsu wa tsugi no yori natta iru
(China’s Kobushi-Ho Society Kakuen’s priests and there 10,commandments are talked of next)
1. To learn magic and to keep or develop a robust healthy body. Learn the different postures and their respective energies. These are practiced morning and evening. Foster a natural attitude. Discard all bad habits or attributes.

2. 
   Foster and develop a good spiritual attitude as in
   

Buddhism and strive to remove all sorrow, grief or anxiety in the heart of ones life and others. One must discard all self-indulgent ways. Have the ability to be at peace with your deity. Invoke the power of your god for development of the self and others. Cut or carve these commandments in stone to remember always. Possess love and kindness for all. This will be given back after death. Avoid sin, assaults on others, seduction. Set a standard that all would be proud to follow.

2. 
   Be a peace day or night. Be careful of the opposite
   

lies in wait for the unwary. Always greet your teachers with respect and reverence. Seek not profit from good deeds. Never disagree, resist or defy your teachers. Be proud of yourself and others. Avoid laziness and promote the same in others.

2. 
   Always wait for your companions whenever you on a
   

journey. By all means always strive for peace and order. Always bask in warmth of good. Avoid profit; depend on your inner and outer strength. Always strive for truth and justice. Endure weakness in duty and in the heart.

2. 
   Treat and entertain all those who enter your house
   

with kindness and sincerity. Endure humility. Support you master in all endeavors.

2. 
   Always adhere to the laws of Shorin. When in error be
   

stalwart and press on. Never resent others and never compare yourself to others. Expose yourself and others tot he tenets of Buddhism whenever possible. Always ask permission when changing groups within Shorin. Always ensure fairness to others. Help others whenever possible who are in need. Remember duty, morality and friendship.

2. 
   Never indulge in drink or the eating of meat. When
   

greeting others do so with reverence an honor. Always be humble and obey all orders from superiors. Avoid all sin.

2. 
   Avoid offending the Buddhist ceremonies and place
   

Buddhahood above all.
9. Always assist junior adepts in technique, way or form. Avoid trifling matters. Avoid injury to self and others. Know the deep spirit of everyone’s nature and strive to promote purity and goodness in all. Avoid showy strength be nothing like the wind. Avoid being rough or clumsy. Avoid drinking as this indulgence leads to greed. Pledge honesty to all and be respectful of others in all situations. Never indulge in any form of profit. Always have the interest of Buddha in mind. Avoid agitation. Always strive for happiness in all things.
10. Always depend on spiritual strength and victory will follow. Never be boastful be pure of heart and mind and soul. Never inflict injury or harm on a person using Shorin techniques. Avoid sex and its cravings. When entering the priesthood one should never be ashamed always carry a righteous attitude. Justice is your key to the future. Be proud of the teachings you receive and use them wisely.
Shorin Kobushi Jutsu Zusetsu

(An explanation of Shorin Kobushi Jutsu)