PHILOSOPHY

The Seijinkai Karate-Do Association teaches and promotes a form of traditional karate rooted in Japanese Shotokan and Okinawan Goju Ryu systems.

While sport or competition karate is not ignored it plays a minor role in the activities of the SKA. Of far greater importance is the traditional values of self defence and self discipline. Certain aspects of karate, such as kata, only make sense when considered from the point of view of self defence, and it is the belief of the SKA that those important aspects have been lost or badly distorted by the demands of modern sport.

All SKA members are expected to become well rounded martial artists, skilled in the string and grappling arts as well as developing some understanding and ability in weapons.

An open minded, inquisitive approach is encouraged, and training with other groups and styles to gain experience is expected of senior members. Blind acceptance of dogma is not encouraged. The SKA approach to karate-do may best be summarised by the words of the Buddha in the Kalama Sutra:-

"Do not believe on the strength of traditions even if they have been held in honour for many generations and in many places; do not believe anything because many people speak of it; do not believe on the strength of sages of old times; do not believe that which you have yourselves imagined, thinking that a god has inspired you. Believe nothing which depends only on the authority of your masters or of priests. After investigation believe that which you have yourselves tested and found reasonable, and which is for your good and that of others."