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 What is Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan?
First it is important to
understand that Soo Bahk Do is the Art and Moo Duk Kwan is the
style. Soo Bahk Do is the technical side, and the Moo Duk Kwan is
the philosophical side of "Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan." The name
"Bahk" originated in the age of Chun Chu (2700 years ago) according
to the Moo Yei Dobo Tong Ji, which is one of the oldest records of
Korea's martial arts. Soo Bahk Do
(combat with bare hands and feet) is the only Korean martial art
handed down from the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty, thereby making it the oldest
Korean martial art; approximately 2,000 years old.
Translated literally, Moo
Duk Kwan means "Institute of Martial Virtue." Our founder,
Kwan Jang Nim
(Grandmaster) Hwang Kee
established the Moo Duk Kwan on November 9, 1945 to reinforce
and preserve this traditional approach and to bind all practitioners
in a culturally rich organization offering respect, fellowship and
the search for an end to conflict. It is the scientific use of the
body in methods of self defense, combined with a strict philosophy
guiding the practitioner towards discovering their full potential.
Soo Bahk Do, translated means "Hand Striking Way", and is the means
to forge a body towards gaining ultimate use of its faculties
through intensive physical and mental training. It is an art of
self defense and philosophy that's secrets cannot be bought at any
price other than serious and rigorous training. Its history is a
long and honorable one.
What makes Soo Bahk Do different from other martial
arts?
There are many fine
styles of martial arts. Two of the many things that separate our
art (Soo Bahk Do) from all other arts and make it unique are its
versatility and philosophy. Due to the fact that ancient Korea was
constantly attacked by both Japan and China, Soo Bahk Do became
versatile out of necessity, the result being an art which demands
mastery of the whole body, techniques ranging from quick and
spontaneous movements to slow graceful flowing movements gives not
only variety but also challenges everyone. Second, many styles
teach effective self-defense and fighting principles, but Soo Bahk
Do offers much more than just that. Learning fighting techniques
without a strong philosophy is to burden society with more dangerous
people. We use Soo Bahk Do to realize our full potential and
emphasize “virtue in action” demonstrating courage, discipline,
confidence and humility through our sincere efforts in training and
our behavior towards others. You won’t just hear our philosophy
you’ll see it in action. This is what makes Soo Bahk Do so unique.
 History
of Soo Bahk Do
Soo Bahk Do is the name
of the art we study and its direct translation is Soo (hand), Bahk
(strike) and Do (art or way).
According to the Moo Yei
Do Bo Tong Ji, the name “Bahk” originated in the age of Chun Chu
(2700 years ago) and the name "Soo Bahk" originated during the early
Jon Han Dynasty in China (2200 years ago). This is the oldest
reference to any martial art name in Korea, based on the historical
documentation available.
Numerous
descriptions of the name “Soo Bahk” were recorded in the historical
documentation and wall painting of tombs since the
Han Dynasty (2000 years ago) and
through the Ko Ku Ryo, Silla,
and Ko Ryo Dynasties and
down to the Yi
Dynasty (600 years ago).
As discussed earlier, the
name "Soo Bahk" was first used about 2200-2700 years ago in the age
of Chun Chu in China. However, “Soo Bahk Ki” (Soo Bahk Technique)
or “Soo Bahk Hee" (Soo Bahk Dance) seems to have been more actively
known and practiced in the Ko Ku Ryo dynasty (2000 years ago), Ko
Ryo dynasty (1000 years ago), and Yi Dynasty (600 years ago) of
Korea. This shows that Soo Bahk Ki (or Hee) was practiced by Korean
people traditionally since the Ko Ku Ryo Dynasty (2000 years ago).
No one knew about the
existence of Soo Bahk for nearly a half century during the Japanese
occupation. Korea became an independent country as World War II
ended on August 15, 1945.
Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee
discovered Soo Bahk in the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji in 1957. This was
the rebirth of Soo Bahk as a Korean traditional martial art. He
spent long and arduous hours of study in order to make possible the
rebirth of Soo Bahk for the martial art practitioners of the world.
He developed the Soo Bahk
Do system for us to study through the Moo Duk Kwan as a living art,
and he has helped us to become connected with our long and proud
heritage.
The Kwan Jang Nim
realized the importance and value of “Soo Bahk" as an art form and
he named it “Soo Bahk Do” and started its promotion in 1957.
The Korean Soo Bahk Do
Association was formally registered as a corporation with the Korean
government on June 30, 1960 and has continuously fulfilled its
mission.
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