Budo international Martial Arts Magazine Jul.-Aug. 2014 | Page 63

T

he integration of
combat techniques
and
cultural
disciplines tended to
form
highly
motivated fighters
able to push troops to support
the terrible and devastating war
actions typical to that historic
moment. Based on this
motivation and strength, the
kingdom of "Silla", the minor in
size among the 3, succeeded in
centuries of struggle and wise
diplomatic actions to unify Korea
for the first time in a single
country (about 670 aC). This
resulted in a reasonable period
of peace and flowering of
Korean arts and Buddhism that
became a key part of the culture
of Silla (artistic and architectural
works of this period include the
Temple of Hwangnyongsa, the
Bunhwangsa Temple and the
Grotto Seokguram, a World
Heritage Site).
The Hwa Rang Do ®, as a
codified martial art in the 60's by
its Founder, Dr. Joo Bang Lee
(10th Dan), reflects the whole
culture "Hwarang" of Silla in
addition
to
his
martial
techniques. Subdivided into
"Nae Kong" (internal techniques
related to energy), "Wae Kong"
(external techniques including
365 types of kicks and about
4000 levers and hand to hand
combat techniques), "Moo Gi
Kong" (108 types of traditional
weapons) and "Shin Kong"
(mental techniques), its main
aspect, however, is the ethical
and relative to self-discipline. In
this sense Grandmaster Taejoon
Lee (President of the World Hwa
Rang Do ® Association WHRDA - and 8th dan) says:
"The Hwa Rang Do ® is not only
a Martial Art, but, above all, a
movement of thought and
action; the real fighting strength
of a warrior is doesn’t lie just in
the martial techniques he might
know, but mainly in his
motivation to fight and
determination to never give up!
Fo "F