Is it true that bushido reprograms people into machines and that people lose their identity?

Question

Hi I have been studying karate for the last 2 years and I am thinking about taking it up as a life long vocation.

But I realise that my Sensei has been trained in NLP, and I feel that he is using it to program me into the person who he imagines me to be and not the person who I am. I feel that he is trying to control me and my personality.

Is this standard practise in bushido/karate. I don't feel that this is ethical or really in line with the real precepts of respect for all ways in life, but a form of subjucation. I believe in buddism principles and I don't want to leave. I want to embody my values, I don't feel that they are in any conflict with the moves or anything. I don't want to be changed. Is it right that I am rebelling against my sensei?

what I mean to say is that I don't feel that reprograming is in line with the japanese precepts.

too be honest I believe in justice, calm composure, discretion, honour and all other things that relate to chivalary. I am female and i want to lead a warrior way of life, I want to be the best me. but I want it to be me who decides these ideals not him. I don't see why I should have to accept his idea of what I ought to be.

Answer 1

hi there, im female too an i joined a jujitsu and karate class

in our class we learn bushido, mainly through the gebadach stance....but through getting through multiple attacks.

i did once see bushido as scary head kicking body smashing baby oiled people, but since i joined my club i found the complete opposite

i too believ in karma and buddhism principles, so i didnt want to be something like that, i dispise fighting, but i realise i need it to survive if the enevitable was to happen to me. only a few of my close friends know i do it.

when i first heard about bushido from my sensei (now professor) he told me that it wasnt at all violence, it was about acceptance.

it was about accepting that you are in a whole lot of pain, but you still get up and carry on, its about not giving in to your demons. if you get hit in the face its about saying "ow, that hurt, yes i know it hurt but im going to carry on, im not going to let him win" not saying "ow that hurt, you win...i give in"

have you ever seen the last samurai? i suggest you do. that film has the best demonstration of bushido, the spirit, he keeps gettting knocked down in battle, but he gets up and keeps going, then he gets knocked down again, you can see he is in pain, but he gets up and fights on, then he gets knocked down harder...its only because he physically can not move that he gives up....but even then he still trys...

bushido is different to every one, when i feel pain, i try to let my mind wander to a grassy hill with flowers, where i feel peacefull... but i still feel the pain underneath me like a volcanoe wanting to erupt.

my sensei was taught by a japaneese instructor, proffesor wakashi i think (i barely remember it) and now my sensei passes on these values to us...

now iv only been practiceing for about 7 months, but my partner, a shodan in the same class, described it to me in exactly the way iv described it to you. the japaneese were always gentle, they were just interpretate wrongly.

i bet im going to get alot of thumbs down for this...but i hope it helps

martial arts does help to condition your mind, and should only make you more of a stronger person inside, remember,"the more powerful i get, the more humble i become"

good luck

x

Answer 2

You don't want to be changed? Then you should stop the study of martial arts immediately.

One of the basic principles behind the study of martial arts is to make the individual a better person. There are places that teach martial skills, intent only on making an individual a better fighter, and there are places that train martial sports, allowing people to compete in the rule driven sports.

You've been thinking about this, but have you discussed it with your Sensei? Don't do it in class, don't be confrontational about it, but take him to lunch and tell him what you are feeling. I often see students 'bail' out of a dojo after a couple of years, feeling that they aren't learning enough, or that there are better ways then are being taught, or that they are teaching stuff that doesn't mean anything.

And rebelling is different then questioning.

Answer 3

Bushido is the code of honour practised by the Samurai, the Samurai was a servant of the Emperor and the Shogun, but it is only the word Samurai that means to serve, not Bushido.
Bushido is just a code that you would live by, a warriors code that could be termed as a bit robotic, but we all have are difference, so no matter what, you can not be what some one else wants you to be.

Answer 4

No, becoming a warrior does not mean that you become a machine. Yes, becoming a warrior will change you in many ways. Since I don't know your Sensei or exactly how he expects you to change, I don't know if your concerns are justified. I also don't know how you think & act now so I don't know how or if you need to change.

All ways of life are not equal. It is wrong to say that one should respect all ways of life. Should we respect the way of terrorists? I don't think so.

It is also not necessarily a matter of respecting different ways of life. If you want to be a warrior, you have to live as a warrior. If you want to live differently, that's fine. Just realize that you can't be a warrior without living as a warrior.

Answer 5

I think martial arts changes anyone who sticks with it. However I've never had any negative effects of this quite the contrary. I've become more calm, relaxed, in control. It's raised my self esteem and gave me a great confidence boost. I've never heard of a sensei trying to manipulate his students. If anything a teacher should teach you the one truth in all martial arts nl. in the end you'll have to find your own way. If ever your teacher is really pushing his views there's a simple solution: leave and find another one.

Answer 6

i believe in the way of Bushido which is primarily to respect yourself and care for others and develop that inner strength ,which doesn,t mean you turn into some kind of puppy dog for others. i believe you should discuss this with your Sensei give him a chance to explain, if his explanation isn,t satisfactory you have no option ,you have to leave .good luck

Answer 7

Hi Check out this website... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido
Also if you can find on amazon

The code of the samurai by A.L. Sadler,It explains true Bushido

I 'm a Buddhist lay person myself and an ex Jiu-Jitsu instructor
Don't let anyone change you if you desire change it must come from inside yourself re: good values

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

If you are smart enough to ask a question like that you are smart enough to withstand this percieved mind control, good luck in your search