Zen and Karatedo: A Comparative Analysis of the Practices, Attitudes, and Effects on the Practitioners

The study aimed to present the close relationship between Zen and Karate-do by analyzing and comparing their individual practices, attitudes, and their effects on the practitioners. The study attempted to answer the following sub-problems on: (1) the brief historical development of Zen and Karate-do; (2) the comparison between the practices and attitudes of Zen and Karate-do; and, (3) the benefits of Zen and Karate-do to their individual practitioners.

To find the answers to the above-stated problems, the researcher used analytical and comparative interpretation of the individual practices, attitudes, and the effects to their practitioners of Zen and Karate-do. The above interpretation was made possible through analyzing the principles of Zen training hermeneutically, i.e., as perceived and understood by the researcher hermeneutically, as what the text presented itself to him. This, in turn, was compared with principles of Karate-do training as again perceived and understood through actual practice by this researcher.

The findings showed that there are more similarities than dissimilarities between Zen and Karate-do. The similarities were noted in their individual practices, attitudes, and benefits they offered to their individual practitioners. The findings further showed that Zen and Karate-do are essentially and in principle the same in their practices of posture, breathing, control and bowing. They only differ in the emphasis of training. Karate training, whose ultimate goal is also spiritual development (Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomoru koto), achieves its goal through physical development.

The similarity in the attitudes lies in the fact that both have the same Buddhist philosophy and adhere to the same Buddhist principles of training: novice’s mind, naturalness/spontaneity, single-mindedness, repetition and constancy, concentration, and attachment/nonattachment.
Their benefits are similar in content: both offer spiritual as well as physical benefits.

The findings have shown that the relationship between Zen and Karate-do lies in the similarities: in their individual historical development in Japan, in their practices, attitudes and benefits they offer their practitioners.

The findings showed that there were four historical features in the development of Zen and Karate-do in Japan.

The findings definitely showed that there are ample similarities in their individual practices of posture, breathing, control, and bowing.

The findings further pointed out that the practice of both Zen and Karate-do cannot be effective and fruitful unless the correct attitudes toward such practice are followed and internalized. These attitudes are the following: the novice’s mind, naturalness/spontaneity, single mindedness, repetition and constancy, concentration, and attachment and nonattachment.

The findings have also proved that Zen Buddhism is the philosophy behind the training of both Zen and Karate-do. Its principles on meditation permeated the practice of Zen and Karate-do. Its principles on attitudes became the necessary guidelines for practice.

The findings also disclosed the close similari8ties of the spiritual and physical benefits which Zen and Karate-do offer to their respective practitioners.

Zen and Karate-do cannot be learned effectively by self-study, through books and other materials. What one can learn through them are just general information on Zen and Karate-do but not the essence and experience of Zen and Karate-do.
Finally, the heart and soul of right practice for Zen and Karate-do is meditation. This practice helps the person attain enlightenment and perfection of character respectively.