Kodokai Dojo

Giri & Dana

You hear it all the time, the same old cliche, "it's a way of life". But coming to the Dojo a couple of times a week, jumping into class and leaving after a quick mopping of the floor is not a lifestyle- it's just a form of recreation.

Few students practice martial arts as a way of life, and that's okay. But, like many things, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. And I'm not suggesting that you need to spend more time at the Dojo- the quality of your practice can not be measured in hours and minutes. I am referring to the thought, effort and selflessness that you commit to your life.

Two concepts that are essential to the development of an spiritually advanced martial artist are "giri" and "dana". Embracing these idea's can be a big step toward seeing the world differently and practicing martial arts as a way of life. Following "the Path" requires something very difficult for some people. It requires sacrifice.

The typical person tends to live a self-centered life. We work and compete with others to get ahead so we can buy or do the things we want, followed by play in whatever form we define it- eating out, weekend getaways, sports, movies, etc... But, by competing at work, in business, on the road, in school, in sports and everywhere else, we easily lose sight of the fact that we are connected to everyone we share this world with including the creatures, plants, lakes and forests. We fail to see the impact our small actions have on the world around us. In doing so we fail to accept responsibility for our actions or to assume responsibilities that don't have an obvious pay-off.

Giri
Giri (pronounced jee-ree) is an important term for your practice. It means "duty, obligation responsibility, debt". It is the foundation of the sempai/ kohai relationship, the teacher/ student relationship and the parent/ child relationship. It is both a Confusion and Buddhist concept and a very important aspect of Japanese society.
 
I had a Japanese friend who was a practitioner of "Shodo", the Way of calligraphy. Her rank was Yondan (4th degree black, in karate terms). She did not enjoy practicing Shodo and felt that she wasn't very good at it. When I asked her why she didn't just stop doing it her response said it all. "Giri".

Apparently, when she went to college, her teacher accommodated her by agreeing to review her work if she mailed it to him- an unusual and generous offer. As a college student she had no money so her brother paid for her calligraphy supplies. Because of their efforts to support her development, she would never stop practicing Shodo. She owed it to them. It was her obligation to do something with the skills she was taught. She was not practicing for herself, she was practicing for others. She was practicing the Way. It was her sense of giri that kept her on the path. You may misinterpret this by feeling that she has accepted a burden. You must try to understand, however, that practicing is, sometimes, a burden. It is not entertainment, it isn't easy (it's far easier just to indulge in whatever you like) . But the by following the Path you change how you see and understand the world. You mature from living as a child where everything must be rewarding in a way that is quick, entertaining, and convenient to maturing into a person with wisdom.

Giri is particularly important for learning skills that take years of training. For instance, in many Japanese companies the employee will be part of the company family for life. The commitment, from the employees perspective and the employers perspective, goes beyond the next paycheck- it goes until retirement.

In Japanese cultural arts; dance, martial arts, Shodo, Chado (Tea Ceremony), etc... the concept of giri is essential. Since it takes years of apprenticeship or training to effectively learn the skills, being accepted by a teacher is a significant event. Accepting a student is also a major commitment on behalf of the teacher. The teacher will invest years of thought, energy and effort into the development of the student- often wanting to give more to the student than the student actually wants. But time spent with a student who does not seriously develop their skills or who fails to reciprocate by helping out, teaching others, supporting the teacher, etc... is time that could have been spent on someone else who might have perpetuated or advanced the art.

Of course, not everyone who wants to be a dancer, martial artist, calligrapher, or whatever has the aptitude, perseverance or ability to eventually replace the teacher and perpetuate the art, but there are ways that anyone can be of utmost value in supporting the teacher, caring for the school, and helping newcomers in a meaningful way. But anything given should be freely given, out of the spirit of caring and helping. It should not be given because of guilt for not giving. It also should not be given with the hope of something being given back. Giri, in order to be life-transforming, must be about appreciation, service, duty, responsibility. In any other form, it is just a type of commerce- doing something to get something in return.

When I think about what I get out of the martial arts I can't help but be grateful for my teachers- and my students. Here are just a few of the benefits that I have received: 
    
     lots of good people brought into my life 
     good fitness and agility
     confidence
     a spiritual outlook
     compassion that I was sorely lacking
     defense skills that I have needed on more than one occasion

The list could go on. But even with this short list, how could I possibly pay my teachers back for giving me a way of realizing these things? And the more I get involved the more benefits I can realize. What a deal! And, since my teachers were very experienced, they knew that I would receive these benefits if I continued to do what they showed me. They knew of the immensity of the value of their teaching.

Unfortunately, I didn't know what they were giving me when I was first learning- sort of like taking your parents for granted. I was self-centered and "taking karate" for my own personal reasons. Only by traveling the Path have I begun to understand. I can see how there is no way that I can repay my teachers because the debt is so immense. All I can do is try very hard, to practice well and teach with care, accuracy and detail.

And look at all that is available to you, through the generosity of my teachers. I can't begin to list all of the things that martial arts have done for students past and present. Students have defended themselves against knife attacks, ended the reign of bullies, improved debilitating health conditions, lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds, and used meditation skills to mentally prepare for difficult times in life. How can I possibly thank my teachers for this?

Dana
Dana is a Sanskrit term meaning "generosity" or "giving". It also refers to the practice of cultivating generosity. Ultimately, and ideally, the practice culminates in unattached and unconditional generosity, giving and letting go. Dana is an important practice for the cultivation of freedom from desire. Dana, as a spiritual act, has the potential of transforming the mind of the giver.
 
In Buddhism, "giving" is not charity. It is a symbolic gesture to show respect and support, particularly to a monk, priest or a teacher of the Way. The act of giving connects the giver to what the receiver represents. It also helps to perpetuate the teaching by supporting teacher.
 
The well-known paradox is that the more we give (particularly without expecting something in return) the more we have. The inter-connectedness of all things and all beings means that when we take care of others we are also taking care of ourselves.

A popular Buddhist story speaks of a king, who having given away all his wealth, was moved by insects hovering around him As an act of compassion, he allowed the mosquitoes to feed. Another story is of Prince Sattva, who upon seeing a starving tigress about to eat her cubs, threw himself to the tigress in order to save the cubs.

Both samurai and Buddhist priests are familiar examples of people who devoted their lives entirely to serving (samurai means "to serve"). They did not hold jobs or involve in trade, but depended upon the support of others in order to commit entirely to the demands of their unique practices. The samurai kept his skills high in order to serve his master and was prepared to give his life in the line of duty. The priest could not engage in the world of competition and commerce where one must compete and put a price on goods and services while, at the same time, living by strict Buddhist standards. The priest lived by alms collecting, or begging. Common people who could not live like the samurai or priest, however, gained merit (karma) by supporting them. They liked to have the protection of samurai. They also liked having a temple or priest keeping the old ways alive. This same concept lies in the practice of martial arts.

A few very wise words from Buddha

"The practice of offering gets rid of selfishness."
 
"If one gives away a gift only when it is convenient, or because it is easier to give than not to give, it is an offering, of course, but it is not a True Offering (spiritual offering). A True Offering comes from a sympathetic heart before any request is made, and a True Offering is the one that gives not occasionally but constantly." "Neither is it a True Offering if after the act there are feelings of regret or of self-praise; a True Offering is one that is given with pleasure, forgetting oneself as the giver, the one who receives it and the gift itself."

"True Offering springs spontaneously from one's pure and compassionate heart with no thought of any return."

"If you have, you can give."

So, with all this said, you alone determine your rate of progress and growth in the Way. Engage these concepts. Make progress. Practice as "a way of life". Serve.

Currently many students express their appreciation by giving generously of their time, advice, talent, thought, food and financial support. We are greatly appreciative and your efforts and gestures. You have buoyed our spirits many times and have made many things possible.
 
Here are some other idea's:

Generously support our teachers- if you hear of someone heading to Okinawa help them to afford their trip or send them with some money to help the teachers. (there are many expenses that quickly add up- gifts for Taka sensei, the sempai, Taira sensei's family, and the many teachers that Taka sensei brings us to meet, memorial offerings, donations to the Dojo, etc...

Help out at the Dojo. Black Belts, especially, should attend classes where they can be most helpful (especially kids classes).

Maintain the Dojo; clean, wash, dust, repair. We have what is probably the finest facility in Rhode Island. It was built through the help, vision and generosity of many who have come and gone before you. It takes much more than mopping and a quick vacuum job to keep it up or make improvements.

When we line up for class or sit in zazen give the better place to others where appropriate. Help us build a better Dojo.

Ask what you can do.

Serve.

A Final (maybe) Thought

Do not confine your service or support to humans. I don't mean that you have to feed the mosquitoes, but you don't have to believe in reincarnation to see that a stray cat begging for a meal needs your compassion and support just as a wandering priest with his begging bowl does. Shooing away the cat is passing up an opportunity to practice the Way.

Of course, there may be complications. The cat may never leave. You might even begin to like the cat. You might worry about it's health and safety on a cold stormy night. You might think very differently of the cat by practicing the Way, and that is the whole point.

Following the Path is not easy, nor is it convenient. It might interfere with your fun or leisure. That is precisely why your teachers, priests and other Way-seekers need your support- it isn't easy for them either. In fact, the more advanced and independent they may appear, the more support they may actually need.

This way of thinking isn't for everyone, but wouldn't it be nice if it was?