From time to time, I am asked about the compatibility between martial arts and my Christian faith. I have never seen any difficulty in practicing both, but there are some people who do. I believe that much of the alleged tension between the two takes the form of simple cultural misunderstandings.
There are those who are concerned about practices of bowing toward pictures of teachers. To many people, it smacks of idolatry. This is, of course, only a failure to differentiate between reverence and worship. In many places in the East, bowing is a sign of respect, and a deeper bow indicates greater respect. In the West, bowing is usually found in religious contexts (e.g. genuflecting before an altar, prostrating during salat, i.e. Muslim prayer). When bowing is understood as respect, the problem is usually solved. At the same time, teachers who require their students to bow toward a Shinto shrine should have a ready explanation for this practice and its religious meaning.
That is an easy one. Slightly more difficult is the practice of meditation. However, there needn’t be a problem here either. Once again, meditation in many Asian countries does not suppose any particular religious beliefs. While it is practiced by adherents of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism as part of their tradition, there is nothing necessarily religious about the activity. The meditation often practiced in martial arts dojos is based on Zen. This practice – if you will excuse the gross over-simplification – is oriented toward helping the practitioner control the mind. Mental distractions are controlled and one’s awareness is of the present. The development of a clear mind is certainly not at odds with any religious tradition. Atheists and Orthodox Jews, Muslims and Methodists would all agree that such a practice is beneficial for anyone. Again, at the same time, teachers who incorporate mantras and mudras from esoteric Buddhism have the obligation to explain clearly what religious beliefs underlie such practices.
The last issue that is addressed in such conversations has to do with something Jesus said. In Matthew 5:39, he instructs his disciples, “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” How is this compatible with training in martial arts, many have asked. Again, there is no need to rely on convoluted philosophical arguments about ethics. Too often Jesus’ words get twisted around until the original idea is lost. The answer is actually quite straightforward, although not obvious. The Greek word for “strike,” hrapizo, simply means to strike with an open hand, that is, to slap. Jesus is saying, if someone slaps you, do not strike them back.
When does someone slap you? Usually not when they are trying to do you bodily harm. A slap in the face is an insult, not a physical attack. Jesus is saying, do not let your pride provoke you to violence or revenge.
Such an attitude is completely in keeping with the Confucian-inspired ethics of bushido. Avoid violence, especially if what is on the line is only your self-importance.
Consider this: How do you think your teacher would respond if some rude individual walked up and slapped him or her? Hopefully the response would not be physical. A man or woman who is mature enough to understand that one’s ego is not the most important thing in the world can understand the wisdom in this teaching.
That being said, if someone is about to strike you with a sledge-hammer, by all means duck! And if someone punches you in the face and is set to continue until you are uncon-scious, defend yourself. I don’t think Jesus would mind.
Tags: Religion Christianity Ethics
