Wu De Martial Morals

 

Wu De Martial Morals

As a martial artist, I find it important to follow “Wu De,” translated as Martial Virtues, which holds values and principles for all practitioners. It is at the core of all Chinese martial arts and gives guidelines for practicing the art and growing as a human being. Wu De( in Mandarin) or Mou Dak (in Cantonese) focuses on moral and ethical values in actions, and it is these values that shape us as individuals and contribute to our personal growth. While there may be slight variations within different styles and lineages, the essential elements of Mou Dak apply to all, emphasizing the universal importance of these values in martial arts. 

Martial Artists are expected to uphold a high standard of honesty, integrity, and moral conduct. As a martial artist, you learn to use your body as a weapon, and anyone who possesses a weapon of any type should be very aware of their actions. You should not give a gun to anyone, not knowing where it ends; that should apply to teaching martial arts as well. Since, at the beginning of the learning journey, it is impossible to be fully aware of the student's character, teaching martial virtues should be included in the syllabus as it has been in history. Training martial arts gives you tools to hurt, so you should also be aware of the extent of damage you may cause and have a solid moral compass to tell you when and how to use those skills. Moral conduct means you must uphold good behavior, be truthful, keep your word, and always act with honor and integrity. You should avoid trouble and be helpful when needed. 

We learn about respect in martial arts. However, learning respect should not be limited to martial arts schools only. The Oxford language describes respect as a noun: a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements and due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others. It can also be a verb that states admiration or having due regard for something. We should respect life, authorities, and law. However, it can sometimes be hard to respect someone you should if their values do not align with yours. In martial arts and the book The Art Of War, respect is discussed more deeply. What is notable is that we should give respect to all and humble ourselves. We should bow to the opponent before every fight and keep eye contact, at least figuratively speaking. These manners teach us not to underestimate our opponent and to keep ourselves humble to be aware and observant. Respecting and keeping your opponent in high regard limits your ego from taking the best in you and allows your mind and body to be alerted in the fight. We learn that there is always somebody better than you in something, and you should be mindful of that by respecting everyone - in doing so, you should avoid getting surprised by your opponent's attack. The same goes for humility; there is always something more to learn, for the journey is a lifetime. 

Mou Dak emphasizes the importance of self-control and self-discipline. Self-discipline is essential for staying on one's path and learning something that takes a lifetime. It is easy to feel discouraged and give up, but we need patience and time to understand. Only time shows us the options and possibilities we need to learn from; not all can be understood simultaneously. We need discipline to wait for the moments of readiness. We also need to master control over ourselves, both physically and mentally. Martial arts, and any physical art form, requires the most profound internal control to be fully mastered. If the mind wanders off or anger and irritability take over, there is no control, and then it is easier for the opponent to gain the higher ground. Learning self-control in actions and emotions is one of the most essential tasks for anyone studying martial arts and life. 

Compassion and manners are crucial in relationships and highly influence our values. Mou Dak teaches martial arts to show compassion and kindness towards others in all aspects of life. Martial artists are encouraged to use their skills responsibly and show empathy always, even in combat scenarios. Compassion and manners are always at the heart of every relationship, and how you behave and interact with others sets the tone for all your endeavors. In the Finnish language, we have a saying, “Niin metsä vastaa kuin sinne huudetaan,” referencing the echoing words in the forest and hinting that how you treat others is how others treat you. 

Mou Dak, or martial morality, can be easily adapted to all aspects of life. Your morality, moral values, and drivers are a starting point for understanding how you perceive the world, helping you find your path and unlock your potential.