The following is what has become known as The Nine Precepts, written by Miyamoto Musashi in his Gorin no Sho, or Book of Five Rings.
The Nine Precepts
For those who truly wish to understand my strategy, here are the fundamentals:
1. Think without any dishonesty.
2. Forge yourself in training.
3. Touch upon all the arts.
4. Know the ways of all professions.
5. Always consider gain and loss before acting.
6. Develop your intuition in all matters.
7. Understand that which cannot be seen.
8. Pay attention to even the smallest of details.
9. Do nothing which is useless.
The Nine Precepts are found in the last few "paragraphs" of the Earth Book (scroll) of the Gorin no Sho.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Dokkodo, by Miyamoto Musashi
This is the Dokkodo, or Way of Self Reliance, written to Terao Magonojo by Miyamoto Musashi. The following is a transliteration done by me.
The Way of Self Reliance
1. Do not battle with the world.
2. Do not scheme for pleasure or ease.
3. Do not rely on anyone, anything, or any assumption.
4. Do not take yourself too seriously; consider others deeply.
5. Do not desire a good reputation, riches, or victory.
6. Do not regret things you have done or experienced.
7. Do not envy another's good or evil.
8. Do not feel loss by a separation.
9. Do not complain or harbor resentment.
10. Do not become controlled by romantic love.
11. Do not have preferences for or against.
12. Do not possess specific hopes for your home.
13. Do not pursue the eating of delicious foods.
14. Do not collect heirlooms for yourself or future generations.
15. Do not pay any attention to superstitions or trends.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice them beyond necessity.
17. Do not fear, become angry with, or attempt to avoid death.
18. Do not labor for wealth, property, or inheritance for old age.
19. Do not rely on the gods or sages; respect them.
20. Do not forsake your honor even while surrendering your life.
21. Do not depart from the way of the martial arts.
This was written a week before Musashi died, and comes in two stages. In the first draft, Musashi had only nineteen precepts, adding number 4 and number 20 to his final draft a couple days later.
The Way of Self Reliance
1. Do not battle with the world.
2. Do not scheme for pleasure or ease.
3. Do not rely on anyone, anything, or any assumption.
4. Do not take yourself too seriously; consider others deeply.
5. Do not desire a good reputation, riches, or victory.
6. Do not regret things you have done or experienced.
7. Do not envy another's good or evil.
8. Do not feel loss by a separation.
9. Do not complain or harbor resentment.
10. Do not become controlled by romantic love.
11. Do not have preferences for or against.
12. Do not possess specific hopes for your home.
13. Do not pursue the eating of delicious foods.
14. Do not collect heirlooms for yourself or future generations.
15. Do not pay any attention to superstitions or trends.
16. Do not collect weapons or practice them beyond necessity.
17. Do not fear, become angry with, or attempt to avoid death.
18. Do not labor for wealth, property, or inheritance for old age.
19. Do not rely on the gods or sages; respect them.
20. Do not forsake your honor even while surrendering your life.
21. Do not depart from the way of the martial arts.
This was written a week before Musashi died, and comes in two stages. In the first draft, Musashi had only nineteen precepts, adding number 4 and number 20 to his final draft a couple days later.
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