The Ethics of the Master


The teacher must instill an ethical code within the heart and mind of their student.

If the teacher does not teach to their student an ethical code in addition to the skills that enable a human being to harm another human being, then the teacher must at least monitor the ethical compass of their student.

In either case, the teacher must be willing to cease the training of the student if they show a tendency toward unethical behavior as defined by the teacher.

If the definition of unethical behavior subscribed to by the teacher does not accord with the definition given by the society in which the teacher lives, then the teacher must bear in mind the judgement that their society will undoubtedly bring to bear upon both the teacher and their student.

If the teacher is unwilling or unable to do any of those things, the teacher has no business teaching a human being the skills to harm another human being.

Some examples of ethical behavior and thought as defined by *our* tradition are: Humility, not towards a guru or teacher, but towards the entire community of life, whether human or otherwise. Responsibility, towards that community. Discipline, to remain steadfast in the face of challenges to one's principles. Compassion, for the suffering and placement of others.

These and others are not automatically instilled by the practice of martial techniques; indeed, they can be instilled in a variety of ways and through a variety of disciplines and by people of any spiritual inclination or no spiritual inclination.  However, they are indeed necessary for the student to either possess from the very beginning, or to acquire *very soon* after beginning the training of karate.  It would otherwise be unethical for a teacher to impart techniques of harming others to an unworthy or unethical student.

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