Budo/Bujutsu
Budo-literally 'martial ways' Bujutsu-literally 'martial arts' The former has more of a spiritual or ascetic connotation while the second deals more with the actual techniqal aspects of killing.However ,like the idea of 'IN and YO'(yin/yang),they are two sides of the same coin,and inseperable in traditional Japanese thought.One dos not master any art without a resulting spiritual development or without undergoing austerities in the course of one's practice.One does not become a master without first perfecting one's skill in the practical matters of the modality of experiance they are concerning themselves with.To ignore either side of the coin is to be deluded. In modern times,these two ideas often have become divorced from one another.This can result in a degeneration of the underlying practice.For example,there are practices which no longer concern themselves with instilling combative ability in their practitioners,and instead are viewed only as a path towards realization(e.g.certain forms of kyudo or iaido).There are also practices which exist primarily as competitive sport,without any concern for the mental or spiritual development of their practitioners(e.g. certain forms of judo or kendo).There are even highly regarded classical traditions which have preserved their physical forms largely intact by all accounts,only to have lost or abandoned their spiritual basis and rationale.This is an extremely great loss.In Japanese martial arts ,where the guiding principles of a given system are often regarded as being divinely inspired.The resulting practice runs the risk of becoming a mere shadow of its former self,if the central guiding inspiration of its founder or founders cannot be re experianced in the current generation. In Kaze arash ryu ,budo and bujutsu take on a specific meaning.Budo refers to the path one takes in gaining ability in armed or unarmed conflict,while studying in a classroom setting.Bujutsu refers to the actual manefistation of our techniques in combat;the result of practicing which is serious injury or death.We practice a path(DO),the goal off which is to perfect our art (jutsu).The art is never seen in its full form within the Dojo,but exists as a potential, only realized in combat.Paradoxically by mastering the art,we realize our own full potential as human beings-the path becomes one towards enlightemnent,as valid as any other.
martial arts; military arts; Bushido