They also have a specific code of conduct, a set of
values
that are
most important. It’s called Bushidō (武士道, "the way
of warriors") and it’s typified by eight virtues. In all
of
our
actions we are driven by those values:
Righteousness (義, gi)
Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all
people.
Believe
in justice, not from other people, but from
yourself. To the true warrior, all points of view are
deeply
considered regarding honesty, justice and integrity.
Warriors make a full commitment to their decisions.
Heroic Courage (勇, yū)
Hiding like a turtle in a shell is not living at all. A
true
warrior
must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky.
It is living life completely, fully and wonderfully.
Heroic
courage
is not blind. It is intelligent and strong.
Benevolence, Compassion (仁, jin)
Through intense training and hard work true warriors
become
quick
and strong. They are not as most people. They develop
a power that must be used for good. They have
compassion.
They help
their fellow men at every opportunity. If an
opportunity does not arise, they go out
of their way to find one.
Respect(礼, rei)
True warriors have no reason to be cruel. They do not
need
to prove
their strength. Warriors are not only respected for
their strength in battle, but also by their dealings
with
others.
The true strength of a warrior becomes apparent during
difficult times.
Honesty (誠, makoto)
When warriors say that they will perform an action, it
is as
good as
done. Nothing will stop them from completing what
they say they will do. They do not have to 'give their
word'. They
do not have to 'promise'. Speaking and doing are the
same action.
Honour (名誉, meiyo)
Warriors have only one judge of honor and character, and
this is
themselves. Decisions they make and how these decisions
are carried out are a reflection of who they truly are.
You
cannot
hide from yourself.
Duty and Loyalty (忠義, chūgi)
Warriors are responsible for everything they have done
and
everything they have said as well as all of the
consequences
that follow. They are immensely loyal to all of those in
their care.
To everyone that they are responsible for, they
remain fiercely true.
Self-Control and
Self-Improvement (自制, jisei)
Only through focusing on mastering their art a true
warrior
can
emerge. It can be achieved through restraint, loyalty to
the principles despite suffering, striving for the ideal
model while
facing any inconvenience. As we can learn from
“Hagakure” – “…since we’ve become better
than yesterday, we’ll start improving tomorrow;
throughout
our
lives, day after day, we need to strive for perfection;
it also never ends”.