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Summary: A "tome" of esoterica:Martial art,Buddhist&Hindu practices.
Review: An unusual book. Bodhisattva Warriors is a comparative analysis of deeply esoteric realms involving Martial Arts, Buddhist, Hindu as well as Taoist practices! If one were doing an anthropological study, seeking coorelations between any of these areas, THIS could be a valuable asset to one's research. But unless that was THE goal.... I cannot see the utility, nor value of this work (though very well intentioned....) to anyone, save the Scholar of such ancient materials, back to the dawn of written history. It is not translatable to the "Martial Realm". Buddhist, and Hindu practitioners of their respective disciplines/practices, would likely dismiss the authors "observations" as missing the true point. Why this analysis was truly done is a curious mystery unto itself. An excellent attempt to discuss the inter-connections and influences of these many philosophies and their respective practices...Sadly, why these connections were drawn, has yet to be made clear. The word tome (as in an "obscure tome") describes this work precisely. One will either be fascinated with this or bored to tears. For one, though "interesting" I did not find it "fascinating"....
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Summary: Scratching under the cover
Review: Bodhisattva Warriors is meant to be authorative on the Buddhist Martial Art in China. Recent investigations however into the background of the author, Shifu Nagaboshi, cast doubt on his religious and martial arts credentials. Furthermore, there are various pictures, photographs and paragraphs in the book that are clearly taken from other, secondary sources without those being properly acknowledged. This book contains interesting passages on the Buddhist Yogacara view of the mind, but should be discarded by those interested in martial arts history.
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Summary: Magnificent study
Review: hello, I am Hide from Japan and I have read this book carefully
for several years. It is a great study of the origins and connections between the different forms of Budo and can be understood on several levels. The author led some classes that I studied in many years ago so I am familiar with his methods and also some of his teachers here. This is why I got this book. Its not hard tosee why some Karate men would be scared of what it says as it exposes many of the materialistic myths that are taught in some commercialsed clubs, especialy with ragrd to its history. I dont understand what one person here says about its writer and Trungpa as I know 2 persons who studies for some months with Nagaboshi at Trungpas centre in Scotland and have seen many photos of Trungpa joining in Kempo classes there. Perhaps this critic is just jealous? I would very much recommend this to students no matter what their grade or level as a basic reference for their future studies. My college mates who are from Okinawa all have copies which they study. Best wishes to you.
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Summary: Essence behind the Martial Arts
Review: I found this book to be extremely useful, as both a handbook and a textbook. One should understand that the ancient temples did not at first incorporate martial arts. Therefore, when they did incorporate martial arts, it was done as another means by which to exercise the disciplines of buddism. Therefore one has to ask the question, what were these principles, and how were they addressed by the use of the martial arts. This, then provides a basis, through which one can learn a great deal, and a basis from which one can grow beyonds one's expectations, if pursued properly, and consistently. I found this book a valuable resource, as it has been able to amass a large body of information into an organized and cohesive book, capable of looking into these questions, and opening up the readers' eyes into the essence of martial arts, which has been long forgotten. As a matter of fact, most martial artist (students and instructors) have even forgotten to ask such questions. Should you be willing to pursue such an in-depth self-study, this book is definitely worth the money you spend on it. You may even consider reading it twice
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Summary: Bodhisattva Bickering
Review: I read this book with interest. Later, after speaking with some martial arts instructors who had read this novel approach, I learned that there were many controversial issues. The ideals for martial artists are established well by Mr. Dukes. Although some may question the accuracy of translations and even some of the Chinese and Sanskrit terms, I should remind the prospective reader that these concepts have many layers of meanings, many ways of interpretation, and function on both subjective and objective levels at once. Maybe, the only just criticism is that of Mr. Duke's pejorative view of other systems besides his own, such as calling Tai-Chi a "one-legged" discipline. He is not knowledgeable in all approaches. In this Mr. Dukes needs to go back and use introspection with perspicacity, which is also a Bodhisattva ideal. There are far too many systems to attempt to label them all under a single category. All martial arts have validity when they are looked at, as the great and late Bruce Lee citing the sages said, that they must become formless form. Respect of the martial styles of others is part of the character building at the heart of all Kung Fu. Being an instructor for many years of both "external" and "internal" approaches, I have found, as many others have, that they are different paths to the top of the mountain. A mountain perhaps that has no top. Yet, as Mr. Dukes implies, there is the sine qua non of correct principle in all practice. In this, he professes the right path. I give this book a five star rating because Mr. Duke's has made a bona fide contribution to the martial disciplines and opened the door for meritorious achievement for aspiring practitioners. This book is tough and should be read slowly and with the view that there is always more to learn.
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Summary: An interesting study in deception, propoganda and illusion
Review: If martial arts practitioners read this book and discover that there are many things contined within it that they have not come across before, they should pause to think more about the nature of the martial arts. A good question to ask is: what is the author of this book trying to say? Certainly, students of this work will need to learn a great deal about the importance of discernment and mental discrimination. Three simple examples will serve to illustrate the problems with this text. There are several fraudulent photographs within this work, notably the pictures of Chogyam Trungpa watching `kempo` being practiced at the Samye Ling Tibetan monastery in SCOTLAND in 1968. The second problem revolves around the authors` notorious inability to correctly translate Chinese and Japanese terms - the rendering of Seng ping (J: so hei) as `peacebringer` or `monastic leveller` is one simple example that can be checked by consulting any basic Japanese kanji dictionary. If this problem does not cast grave doubts on the authors `translations` of `Bodhidharma`s` texts, then it should be noted that many scholars have thoroughly demonstrated the apocryphal nature of all the `writings` of Bodhidharma. The perpetuation of a mythology, however big the apparent bibliography, gives no guarantee of the Truth of such stories at all. One wonders what ot is the author stands to gain from such deceits. Otherwise, a good book to hone your thinking skills, if not your martial arts skills.
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Summary: Unique work
Review: Not an easy reading but full of genuine research, interesting informations, and flashes of wisdom. Very good translations of Bodhidharma's texts would be of interest to any Ch'an or Zen practitioner - among others. Also reveals less known but strong ties beetwen spiritualy orientated Martial Arts and Shingon Buddhism. It invites further studies in the field, which could even prove that some thesis in the book are not accurate, but this book is bold attempt anyway. I gave it five stars for originality, but it is difficult to compare it, beacause there are not many simmilar texts about Martial Arts around. Strong ideas are presented, be carefull and maintain "creative" scepticism. Do not expect to find here pictures of punches, blocks etc, but maybe the spirit behind them.
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Summary: behind the obvious
Review: Some arts that are left to us by the wise masters of the past are meant for cultivation of human spirit, self-discovery and knowledge of Self. I can agree that what Bodhidharma thought, and what came to be known as Kempo or Karate-do, was one such art. I can not picture "blue-eyed barbarian" as he was called in China, an Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, organising sport competition amongst monks in Shaolin monastery or against other Buddhist monasteries in region. This emphasis on spiritual side of art is making this book worth of reading. Although it can be confusing and sometimes hard to understand or even to agree with, serious practitioner of Art can not overlook it. If we are destined to see such arts as even Olympic sports in future, there should be efforts to preserve their "inner" teachings, their more inward oriented practices. I hope that this book by Terrence Dukes will be a goad for similar studies in the field by other devoted and inspired practitioners.
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Summary: A difficult read
Review: The credibility of the author (or lack thereof) aside, this book may make some interesting points about the connection between Buddhism and the martial arts. However, those points are lost on me because I could not manage to finish this book; The organization and layout were confusing and the argument was incoherent. Add to this 92 pages of often irrelevant and digressing endnotes, and the process of reading became a chore I was unwilling to perform. I'm quite disapointed because this is a topic that I find very interesting and was looking forward to reading something of substance on. Save your dollar.
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Summary: Buddhist Kempo Teachers and KarateTeachers
Review: The proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating. What is the difference one may ask between a teacher practicing the modernised Karate and one studying the ancient Kempo .The answer to this question is simple, for it lies in what one does and how one acts as a result of knowing it. As every one of our Mushindo Kempo students knows well, the real traditional Kempo can never be a 'sport' nor associated with business endeavours. If we look to our Shifu we see not a Karate 'Manager' or Competition organiser, not an affluent businessman promoting Martial Arts goods, nor is he a would be Film Star. Instead he has quietly helped many thousands of people around the world through his teachings, personal advice and deeds. His students have in turn been instrumental in initiating many other socially orientated groups, including classes in drug rehabilitation centres, Orphanages, educational and animal charities. We find the same in other countries in which our Kempo is tau! ght. The authenticity of the tradition is unmistakable for those who practice it. Shifu Nagaboshi is the only western Buddhist Kempo teacher to have had both Okinawan and Japanese students come to study with him. He writes regularly for mainline Japanese Buddhist Journals. He has been made an honorary member of the Buddhapadipa Temple in London. In 1969 the Dalai Lama of Tibet, through his Office in India, granted him exclusive permission to wear the Tibetan Flag as a badge for Kempo training suits. In 1972 Shifu was chosen by the Tibet Society to act as bodyguard to the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his first visit to GB. In 1977 his Temple played host to the potential Abbot of Ryutaku-Ji Temple in Japan, the Abbess of Song Kwang Sa Temple in Korea and the President of the Koyasan Students association. Many other eminent Monks and teachers of the Shin, Nichiren, Zen and Shingon traditions are amongst his friends and colleagues. For the last 20 or more years, apart from 3! years spent at the Hakurenji temple, he has been teaching ! Buddhist doctrine and philosophy at the Kongoryuji Temple. Seminars at Kongoryu JI and at the Hakuren Ji included the Head teachers of several Karate schools. Why do they continue to attend? If a similar resume of the works of present day karate 'masters' can not be given, we must first ask the question why? Secondly if the tradition they teach relies in any way on Buddhist Doctrine how is it expressed (or not expressed)? Within the 500+ pages of Bodhisattva Warriors you will not find any egoistic photographs of acrobatic martial arts sequences or diagrams of martial techniques. However, you will discover some important questions regarding the history, philosophy and symbolism, which any serious student of Buddhist martial arts should be asking their teacher.
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