Guidelines For Participation
In The Bujinkan
1. The Bujinkan shall be
open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the
Bujinkan Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join.
Specifically: Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines
shall be allowed to participate.
2. Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and
dedication shall be allowed to participate. A physician's examination
report shall be required. Specifically, individuals with mental illness,
drug addiction, or mental instability shall be barred from joining. The
necessity of such a report concerns individuals who may present a danger
to others, for example, those with infectious diseases or illnesses,
individuals with clinically abnormal personalities or physiology, and
individuals lacking self-control.
3. Individuals with
criminal records shall be turned away. Trouble makers, those who commit
crimes, and those living in Japan who break domestic laws shall be
turned away.
4. Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as
practitioners or as members of society, by committing disgraceful or
reproachable acts shall be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to
large numbers of people who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately,
were those committing violent drunken acts, the mentally ill, and
trouble makers who thought only of themselves and failed to see how
their actions might adversely affect others. Through their actions, such
people were discarding the traditional righteous heart of the Bujinkan.
From this day forward, all such people shall be expelled.
5. Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and
outside the dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is
an extremely important point. Those unwilling to take personal
responsibility for accidents occurring during Bujinkan training shall
not be admitted. Reiterating for clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take
responsibility for any accidents happening in the course of training,
regardless of the location.
6. All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual membership card.
This card not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it
indicates you are part of a larger whole--one whose members come
together with warrior hearts to better themselves through training and
friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue, and embodies both
loyalty and brotherly love.
7. The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality
of all human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between
the two parts:
•"The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.
•To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin)."
Recently, the Bujinkan
has become truly international. Just as there are various time zones, so
exist various taboos among the world's peoples and nations. We must
respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart
of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement and for the
betterment of the Bujinkan.
Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out
of the Bujinkan.
Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke.