All around the world Taekwondo schools show the Chung Shin. It may be in English, Arabic, German or Koran, or even in Chinese. It just depends on the language where the school is located. We have it posted in our school too. The Taekwondo Chung Shin is Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and Indomitable Spirit.
The Chung Shin was a gift from General Choi Hong Hi. His view being that a person learning Taekwondo has abilities and responsibilities that place the student in a special category. General Choi expected the Taekwondo practitioner to lead the society in which the student lives. His goal was that Taekwondo would guide the world to peace.
In class, we are expected to show courtesy to other students-we call them “ma’am” or “sir”. We thank a student for helping us and we offer to help in class. All of this is done in a polite and gentle way.
But, what do we do when we leave class? Are we cutting people off as we drive home? Are we fighting with our family over trivial concerns? If we bring courtesy home with us from the dojang, our lives get better and the lives of those around us better too.
Let’s all try to carry courtesy with us this week where ever we go.
Let’s make Charlotte a better place through the first tenet of the Taekwondo Chung Shin- Courtesy.
Master James Thamm