Bushido "The Way Of The Warrior" (ritual, moral)

[Ori]

Many consider Bushido as a philosophy, but how many followers must a philosophy have until it becomes a religion?

"In all the world, man is the only creature that has taught itself to argue."

Bushido is a code of ethics formalized for the Samurai, it is a supreme warrior ideology encompassing loyalty, honour, respect, benevolence and mastery of martial arts.
Bushido is the heart and soul of the Samurai, it is the path to attainment of wisdom, it grew from Confucian writings, Buddhism and Shintoism.
Bushido has seven priciples that form the Samurai, this is why they are the perfect soldiers and protectors.

1. Gi: the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. When we must die, we must die. Rectitude.

2. Yu: bravery tinged with heroism.

3. Jin: universal love, benevolence toward mankind; compassion.

4. Rei: right action--a most essential quality, courtesy.

5. Makoto: utter sincerity; truthfulness.

ó. Melyo: honor and glory.

7. Chugo: devotion, loyalty.

I hope to continue my Bushido thread, if anyone would care to add they can. I hope you have enjoyed this.

[Ori]

In Japan there were several sources of Bushido, starting with Buddhism. It furnished a sense of calm trust in Fate, a quiet submission to the inevitable, that stoic composure in sight of danger or calamity, that disdain of life and friendliness with death. A foremost teacher of swordsmanship, when he saw his pupil master the utmost of his art, told him, "Beyond this my instruction must give way to Zen teaching." "Zen" is the Japanese equivalent for the Dhyâna, which "represents human effort to reach through meditation zones of thought beyond the range of verbal expression." Its method is contemplation, and its purport, as far as I understand it, to be convinced of a principle that underlies all phenomena, and, if it can, of the Absolute itself, and thus to put oneself in harmony with this Absolute. Thus defined, the teaching was more than the dogma of a sect, and whoever attains to the perception of the Absolute raises himself above mundane things and awakes, "to a new Heaven and a new Earth."

[Shadow Wolf]

Ive always considered Bushido a way of life. Similiar to the Knights Code of Chivialry.

[Master Vigil]

I would suggest the Hakagure to anyone!!

Bushido was not only a way of life. More importantly, it was a way of work. The way of the Samurai was not just a life, but a job. Even today Martial Artists follow codes of conduct, discipline, respect, morality, and life. And as with the Samurai, it becomes a way of life.