The Budo Dojo:
A forge for body and spirit
The elegant and deadly Japanese sword is born in the fire of the swordsmith’s forge. A shapeless lump of insignificant iron is heated, pounded, shaped, and tempered, until it becomes a thing of awesome beauty. Moreover, the sword is graceful, refined, sharp, polished it its appearance and yet very deadly. It is shielded from the eyes of others within its scabbard. Exposed only when its power must be unleashed, then returned again to its resting place, not to be flaunted or flashed about to impress, entertain, or intimidate others.
The traditional dojo is much like a forge; a spiritual forge. The deshi, or disciple, provides the raw materials (his body and his spirit), and the dojo (through the sensei, symbolically) pounds, shapes, and tempers them until he becomes a hard, well polished, and razor sharp martial arts warrior. Rather than exhibit their karate power for all to see, they choose to keep it hidden until needed.
A dojo should not be confused with a modern martial art school or studio. Though both places may practice similar techniques, there is a profound difference in both the approach and goal of a dojo. A school’s primary objective is to impart physical skills to the student. The typical customer of such a place is usually interested in improving his physical condition and learning how to defend himself. Others may enjoy the challenge of modern competitive "martial sports." Though the student may well learn the technical aspects of the martial art taught there, there is little or no attempt to change the person himself. Where the school’s purpose ends, the dojo’s begins.
The literal translation of the word dojo is way-place. It is borrowed from the name given to the meditation halls of zen monasteries in Japan: a place where individuals seek to uncover the true essence of life through the practice of intense meditation. The budo (martial arts) dojo shares this ultimate goal, but pursues it by more dynamic means (physical training, sweat, conditioning, self-discipline). In a dojo, it is the spirit and personality of the student that is of primary concern. The goal of the dojo is to transform an individual into something entirely new. If you are accepting and willing to make the commitment, the dojo can create a positive and lasting change in you.
