Student Pledge

[Rich Sylvester]

Would any of you mind sharing a student pledge your school requires members or children to memorize and recite at class? I am looking for some examples.

Thank you kindly.

[UrbanWarrior]

Im not sure but I think our school's practitioners are required to memorize ten student commitments for the test

the commitment can be found here
http://www.urbanwarrior.ca/urbanwarrior/terminology.asp

[Jen]

I hope i'm thinking of the right one here. I think this one is the Student Oath. Usually we don't recite, but you have to know it. I can do it just fine in class, but i'm having a hard time coming up with it just sitting here. This should be correct though
I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwon-do
I shall respect my instructors and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world

[De_Franza]

This might be too "karate-oriented" to answer your question, but many Karate schools recite the "dojo Kun" (Dojo precepts), a popular translation is:

• Seek perfection of character

• Be faithful

• Endeavor (to Excel) (often just "endeavor")

• Respect others

• Refrain from violent behavior

There used to be a great article about it on www.24fightingchickens.com, but unfortunately, that site is no longer operating.

Some criticize doing a student oath or Dojo kun at all because it can be seen as cult-ish (being like a group prayer or brainwashing chant), or because it's more appropriate for kids than adults, as many feel it's inappropriate for people to instruct adults in how to behave. Notice how the kun above sound a lot like how you'd tell a kid to behave. (in one school I trained in that didn't take kids, there was no student oath, but they did have a "Martial Creed" on the rank certificates, I'll jot it in below).
Other critiques include those who say the above is translated poorly and perhaps with ulterior motives. Like "be faithful"... to what or whom? the teacher who holds your non-refundable contract? God? if so, whose? what if you're an atheist? This can get thorny depending on how you take it. How about "refrain from violent behavior"? What are fighting arts if not violent? What this one really means is don't beat people up, don't be a bully, use your art only for self-defense. (IMO) 24 fightingchickens said that one or more of the kun would be better translated as "don't do anything stupid" (always good advice, but then again, so obvious... so why bother?)

Here's another translation that is perhaps more accurate (Personally, I think this one is pretty good):

• Work to perfect your character.

• Have fidelity in seeking a true way.

• Cultivate a spirit of endeavor and perseverance.

• Always act with good manners.

• Refrain from violent and uncontrolled behavior

Here's another:

• We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm unshaking spirit

• We will pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so that in time our senses may be alert

• With true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial

• We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors and refrain from violence

• We will follow our religious principles and never forget the true virtue of humility

• We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires

• All our lives, through the discipline of karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the {name of school} Way

That one seems a tad cult-ish to me, overall, and a little wordy.

Here's a pretty good one:

• We are proud to study the spirit of {name of art}

• We shall practice courtesy

• We shall be quick to seize opportunity

• We shall always practice patience

• We shall always keep the fighting spirit of {art}

and another... (I'm getting these from Google, not from having trained at 50 places There's probably a ton more if you Google "Dojo Kun")

• TO STRIVE for good moral character

• TO KEEP an honest and sincere way

• TO CULTIVATE perserverance or a will for striving

• TO DEVELOP a respectful attitude

• TO RESTRAIN your physical ability through spiritual attainment

A little redundant....
Reading all these at once, I'm reminded of Kentucky Fried Movie, "We forge our spirit in the tradition of our ancestors!"

Here's the afore-mentioned "Martial Creed":

I come to you with empty hands, I have no weapons.
But, shall I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor,
Should it be a matter of life or death, or right or wrong,
Then here are my weapons, my empty hands.

I like how this one allows you to form and defend your own principles and doesn't dictate them to you.

Anywho, I hope this helps!

[Gae-Bek]

Not that we're in any way affiliated with him, but at my main school, we say what is loosely-known as the "Jhoon Rhee Student Creed".

"To build true confidence through knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body.

To keep friendship with one-another, and to build a strong, and happy community.

Never fight to achieve selfish ends, but to develop might for right."

[Tribalweapon]

Under my first instructor it was "Achieve your purpose but never parade your success. Don't just do it, have a purpose. That purpose should not be simply to impress others." or something like that

[ipscshooter]

I hope i'm thinking of the right one here. I think this one is the Student Oath. Usually we don't recite, but you have to know it. I can do it just fine in class, but i'm having a hard time coming up with it just sitting here. This should be correct though
I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwon-do
I shall respect my instructors and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world

That is verbatim from General Choi's encyclopedia. Ours is a paraphrased version:

I will be loyal and responsible to my school;
I will respect my teachers and seniors;
I will never misuse the martial arts;
I will fight for freedom and justice;
I will build a more peaceful world.

[Shantao]

To build true confidence and knowledge in the mind
Honesty in the heart and strength in the body
To keep friendship with one another
And to build a strong and happy community
Never fight to achieve selfish ends
But to develop MIGHT FOR RIGHT!

[jabonn]

The Soldier's Creed

I am an American Soldier.

I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.