Tae kwon do student oath

The Taekwondo student oath is typically recited at the beginning of a class in Taekwondo, either with students repeating after the instructor, or in unison, students and the instructor speaking at the same time.

The purpose of the student oath is to remind students of their obligations to their art, instructors, fellow students, people outside of their school, and to society at large. The oath is generally repeated at the beginning of class, after students “bow in”. Bowing-in is a process that usually includes bowing simultaneously to the Korean flag and the flag of the country in which the school is located, bowing to the head instructor or photograph of the school’s founder, and finally, bowing to the instructors who will be conducting the class.

Usually, the student oath is preceded by a recitation of a list of tenets of Taekwondo. The instructor typically would prompt the class to repeat the student oath and tenets of Taekwondo.

The tenets of Taekwondo are often given in a list of five: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Young Brothers Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, adds a sixth tenet: modesty.[1] Additional tenets may be included by other schools of Taekwondo. For example, along with the five listed above, Han's Taekwondo school in Champagne, Illinois added two more tenets specifically for black belts: community service and compassion.[2]

Following recitation of the tenets, students then recite the student oath, as follows:

Notes

  1. ↑ Young Brothers site
  2. ↑ Han's site

The following is an example of the student oath, from a AAMA school in Aberdeen New Jersey. It embodies the key principles.

"I come to you in peace and brotherhood for I have no weapons. But should I be forced to defend myself; my principles or my honor. Should it be a matter of right or wrong; then here are my weapons - my empty hands and feet."

ROYAL TAE KWON DO Federation

The Royal Tae Kwon Federation was founded by Grand Master Son Myung Soo. The RTF also has its own unique set of student oaths that are recited in unison upon completion of a training session. These oaths are referred to at RTF tenets are as follows: RTF Tenet #1 Discipline RTF Tenet #2 Respect RTF Tenet #3 Confidence RTF Tenet #4 Patience RTF Tenet #5 Honour

After the reciting the oath, students must all bow and shake the hands of the master before being dismissed.

Sources