Decoding the Taekwondo Student Oath: A Path to Martial Arts and Moral Excellence

The Taekwondo Student Oath, created by General Choi Hong Hi, serves as a moral and ethical compass for practitioners of this Korean martial art. It distinguishes Taekwondo from other martial arts by emphasizing the moral cultivation of students alongside their physical development. By adhering to the oath, students pledge to uphold principles that extend beyond the dojang (training hall) and into their daily lives, shaping them into responsible, respectful, and virtuous individuals.

The Five Pillars: Tenets of Tae Kwon-Do

The Taekwondo Student Oath begins with the commitment to follow the tenets of Tae Kwon-Do, which are: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. These tenets are not merely words but guiding principles that shape the character of a Taekwondo student.

Courtesy

Courtesy goes beyond simple politeness; it embodies respect, kindness, and consideration for others. It means being a good person who is nice to other people. Students are taught to be courteous both inside and outside the dojang. Our students open doors for people. When they see something on the ground that someone else dropped, they pick it up. More importantly, our students never expect anything in return. They do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. Courtesy promotes the spirit of mutual concessions. To be ashamed of one’s vice condemning that of others. To be polite to one another. To encourage the sense of justice. To distinguish the instructor from student and senior from junior.

Integrity

Integrity is about honesty, both with oneself and with others. It means knowing right from wrong and acting accordingly, even when no one is watching. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Do the right thing when no one is looking. Always keep your word. These things show that you have respect for others, and that you command respect for yourself. In Tae Kwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in Webster’s dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy. The student who misrepresents himself by fixing breaking materials before demonstrations. The instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious training halls and false flattery to his students. The student who requests rank from an instructor or attempts to purchase it.

Perseverance

Perseverance is the unwavering commitment to achieving goals, even in the face of adversity. It is about striving to do your best, pushing through challenges, and never giving up easily. Sometimes perseverance is confused with never giving up, but we don’t believe that to be the case. We realize that some things are simply not meant to be. The important thing is that while you were figuring that out, you gave it your very best effort. There is an old Oriental saying, “Patience leads to virtue or merit. One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times.” Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set his goal, then constantly persevere. Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him to free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Tae Kwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance.

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Self-Control

Self-control is the ability to manage one's emotions and actions, especially in stressful or challenging situations. Control your emotions when faced with a stressful situation. Control your emotions when you are under fire during a fight or in sparring. Do not panic when a situation demands calm. Never use your emotions to manipulate others. This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the Do Jang. Whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one’s personal affairs, a loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one’s capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.

Indomitable Spirit

Indomitable spirit is the courage to stand up for what is right, regardless of the odds or potential consequences. Never shy away from doing what you know in your heart is right, even when you know things can go badly. Firefighters show an indomitable spirit when they run into a burning building. Police Officers show indomitable spirit when they chase someone who has a gun through a dark alley. Soldiers show an indomitable spirit when they go to war to protect our freedom, even though they know they might not make it back. But, you don’t need to be a hero to show indomitable spirit. You just need to do the right thing, regardless of what others might think. The martial arts fighting spirit is a way of facing life; not afraid to exercise what is right. “Here lie 300 who did their duty.” This is a simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind. Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermopylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. A true student of Tae Kwon-Do will never give up, not even when faced with insurmountable odds.

Respect and Responsibility: Pillars of the Oath

Beyond the five tenets, the Taekwondo Student Oath emphasizes respect for instructors and seniors, responsible use of Taekwondo skills, and a commitment to freedom, justice, and peace.

"I will respect my instructors and seniors"

Respect for instructors and seniors is a cornerstone of Taekwondo tradition. As is true of all parts of the oath, this applies both within the dojang and without. Within the dojang, it means instructors, those who have been training longer, and those who have achieved a higher rank. Outside of the dojang, it means parents, neighbors, teachers, etc. My son Charlie never refers to someone by their first name. It is always “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Sir,” “Ma’am,” etc. We show others respect through courteous behavior, defaulting to using “sir” or “ma’am” and following directions with a good attitude. Our taekwondo or martial arts instructors are easy to identify. They are up leading the class. Certified instructors and assistants have gone through years of training and additional testing to achieve their status. However, the dojang is not the only place we have instructors. Parents, guardians, teachers at school, mentors, coaches… these are all people who help guide us to where we want to go. Seniors can be people older or younger. In the taekwondo world, senior typically refers to someone of a higher rank or experience level. Conducting yourself in a way to earn respect is also imperative. It’s much easier to respect a leader who works just as hard as the team and leads by example.

"I will never misuse Tae Kwon-Do"

This part of the oath carries significant weight. By participating in martial arts, a student learns how to protect him/herself and others. Many techniques can also cause significant pain or damage. We do not take this lightly. Misusing taekwondo includes using knowledge and skills to bully, intimidate, and belittle others. We are teaching people how to be powerful. We are teaching people how to physically dominate other people. We are teaching people how to protect others. Essentially, we are giving people a weapon. That makes us responsible for cultivating the person’s mind so that they have respect for that weapon, know when to use it and, more importantly, when not to.

"I will be a champion of freedom and justice"

To champion a cause is to be an active proponent for it. Freedom is a complex subject, but at its core, means the power of choice. We have ability to choose how to act, while respecting the law and the rights of others. Practice freedom and justice in your daily life by ensuring that you treat others well. This doesn’t mean putting on a cape and going out every night to fight crime. A student of Tae Kwon-Do doesn’t go out looking for a fight, though they will always be ready for one. We do want students to know how to use their weapon to protect people. Moreseo, we want them to know how to stick up for someone without fighting. Being a champion of freedom and justice just means you’re going to do the right thing and treat people the right way. Everybody is equal, and we accept everyone.

"I will build a more peaceful world"

It may seem counterintuitive to practice martial arts and combat, to be a fighter, in order to make the world a more peaceful place. Through rigorous training, martial artists can find a constructive way to overcome negative emotions. It builds the confidence to stand up for yourself and others. It builds layers of camaraderie and protection between those who are trying to live peacefully and those who seek to disrupt that way of life. Peace starts from within. Even though we are teaching people to be capable of violence, through the oath, we pledge to be peaceful people. And it is our hope that the peace that we practice will ripple throughout the world like a pebble in a pond.

The Oath in Practice: Shaping Character and Community

The Taekwondo Student Oath is not merely a recitation; it is a living document that shapes the character of students and fosters a strong sense of community within the dojang. The purpose of the student oath is to remind students of their obligations to their art, instructors, fellow students, people outside of their school, and to society at large. The oath is generally repeated at the beginning of class, after students “bow in”. Bowing-in is a process that usually includes bowing simultaneously to the International Taekwon-Do Federation flag or the ITF flag and the flag of the country in which the school is located, bowing to the head instructor, and finally, bowing to the instructors who will be conducting the class. Usually, the student oath is preceded by a recitation of a list of tenets of taekwondo. The instructor typically would prompt the class to repeat the student oath and tenets of taekwondo.

Modesty

A serious student of Tae Kwon-Do will, at all times, be modest and honest. Modesty - Tae Kwon-Do students are expected to be humble about their accomplishments. Those who flaunt their achievements may have physical power, but their achievements are hollow, for they lack the spirit of Tae Kwon-Do. This means being free of vanity and conceit.

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