[:it]Tra il periodo dello shogunato di Kamakura (1185) e il Periodo Muromachi (1336) prese forma il codice di condotta morale conosciuto come Bushido, (武士道, via del guerriero). Formalmente adottato e applicato dai “bushi”, i guerrieri (Samurai) nel Periodo Tokugawa (1603-1867), questo codice di condotta altro non è che un riadattamento dei principi del buddismo e confucianesimo. Originariamente riadattato alla casta dei guerrieri, dopo la Restaurazione Meiji (1866-1869), il movimento nazionalista giapponese adottò il Bushido come disciplina di comportamento.

photo credits: camminospirituale.com

I 7 principi del Bushido: 7 passi verso la perfezione

Onestà, giustizia, pietà, dovere, onore e lealtà questi erano i princimi che dovevano essere perseguiti fino alla morte. Qualora questo non venisse seguito, la pena era il disonore da espiare attraverso il seppuku (切腹) o harakiri (腹切り). Entrambi questi termini indicano il rituale del suicidio in modo onorevole attraverso il taglio del ventre. Harakiri è utilizzato nel parlato, mentre seppuku è più utilizzato nella forma scritta.
Ogni Samurai era quindi tenuto a seguire 7 principi fondamentali che potremo definire come “morale perfetta”.

Addentriamoci in essi e scopriamoli insieme:

義, Gi: Onestà e Giustizia

Non esistono vie di mezzo, esiste solo il giusto o lo sbagliato. E’ necessario essere onesti nei rapporti con gli altri, credere fermamente nella giustizia che proviene da se stessi, non dalle altre persone. Il vero Samurai non ha mai incertezze riguardo all’onestà e alla giustizia

勇, Yu: Eroico Coraggio

L’eroico coraggio del Samurai si eleva sopra alla masse. Un guerriero non ha paura di agire, non si nasconde nel guscio come una tartaruga, nonostante il rischio ed il pericolo. Eroico coraggio significa vivere in modo completo, pieno, meraviglioso, esso non è cieco ma forte e intelligente.

仁, Jin: Compassione

L’intenso addestramento rende il samurai svelto e forte. È diverso dagli altri, egli acquisisce un potere che deve essere utilizzato per il bene comune. Possiede compassione, coglie ogni opportunità di essere d’aiuto ai propri simili e se l’opportunità non si presenta egli fa di tutto per trovarne una. La compassione di un Samurai va dimostrata soprattutto nei riguardi delle donne e dei bambini

礼, Rei: Gentile Cortesia

I Samurai non hanno motivi per comportarsi in maniera crudele, non hanno bisogno di mostrare la propria forza. Un Samurai è gentile anche con i nemici. Senza tale dimostrazione di rispetto esteriore un uomo è poco più di un animale. Il Samurai è rispettato non solo per la sua forza in battaglia ma anche per come interagisce con gli altri uomini. Il miglior combattimento è quello evitato.

誠, Makoto: Completa Sincerità

Quando un Samurai esprime l’intenzione di compiere un’azione, questa è praticamente già compiuta, nulla gli impedirà di portare a termine l’intenzione espressa. Egli non ha bisogno né di dare la parola né di promettere. Parlare e agire sono la medesima cosa.

名誉, Meiyo: Onore

Il Samurai è il solo giudice del proprio onore. Le decisioni che si prendono e le azioni che ne conseguono sono un riflesso di ciò che si è in realtà. Non ci si può nascondere da te stessi.

忠義, Chugi: Dovere e Lealtà

Per il Samurai compiere un’azione o esprimere qualcosa equivale a diventarne proprietario. Egli ne assume la piena responsabilità, anche per ciò che ne consegue. Il Samurai è immensamente leale verso coloro di cui si prende cura. Egli resta fieramente fedele a coloro di cui è responsabile.

Da diversi anni io stessa ho adottato queste 7 virtù come percorso da seguire. Trovo siano essenziali nella vita di ciascuno perchè siamo tutti dei guerrieri. Ogni giorno affrontiamo sfide e ogni giorno dobbiamo puntare a quella perfezione spirituale che, se fosse perseguita fino in fondo, condurrebbe ad un mondo migliore.
Voi siete pronti a compiere questi passi?[:en]Between the period of the Kamakura shogunate (1185) and the Muromachi period (1336) the code of moral conduct known as Bushido took shape (武士道, the path of the warrior). Formally adopted and applied by the “bushi”, the warriors (Samurai) in the Tokugawa Period (1603-1867), this code of conduct is a re-adaptation of the principles of Buddhism and Confucianism. Originally adapted to the warrior caste, after the Meiji Restoration (1866-1869), the Japanese nationalist movement adopted by Bushido as a discipline of behavior.

photo credits: camminospirituale.com

The 7 principles of Bushido: 7 steps towards perfection

Honesty, justice, piety, duty, honour, and loyalty were the principles that had to be pursued until death. If this were not followed, the penalty was the dishonour to be expiated through the seppuku (切腹) or harakiri (切り). Both of these terms indicate the ritual of honourable suicide through the cutting of the belly. Harakiri is used in speech, while seppuku is most used in writing.
Each Samurai was therefore required to follow 7 fundamental principles that we can define as “perfect morality”.

Let’s go into them and discover them together:

義, Gi: Honesty and Justice

There are no middle ways, there is only the right or the wrong. It is necessary to be honest in dealing with others, to believe firmly in the justice that comes from oneself, not from other people. The true Samurai never has uncertainties about honesty and justice

勇, Yu: Heroic Courage

The heroic courage of the Samurai rises above the masses. A warrior is not afraid to act, he does not hide in the shell like a turtle, despite the risk and danger. Heroic courage means to live completely, fully, wonderfully, it is not blind but strong and intelligent.

仁, Jin: Compassion

The intense training makes the samurai quick and strong. He is different from the others, he acquires a power that must be used for the common good. He possesses compassion, takes every opportunity to be helpful to his fellows and if the opportunity does not arise he does everything to find one. The compassion of a Samurai must be demonstrated above all in regard to women and children

礼, Rei: Kind Courtesy

The Samurai have no reason to behave in a cruel way, they don’t need to show their strength. A Samurai is also kind to enemies. Without this demonstration of external respect, a man is little more than an animal. The Samurai is respected not only for his strength in battle but also for how he interacts with other men. The best fight is the one who is avoided.

誠, Makoto: Complete Sincerity

When a Samurai expresses the intention to perform an action, this is practically already accomplished, nothing will prevent him from completing the express intention. He needs neither to give the word nor to promise. Speaking and acting are the same thing.

名誉, Meiyo: Honor

The Samurai is the only judge of his honour. The decisions you make and the actions that follow are a reflection of what you actually are. You can’t hide from yourself.

忠義, Chugi: Duty and Loyalty

For the Samurai to perform an action or to express something is to become its owner. He assumes full responsibility, even for what follows. The Samurai is immensely loyal to those he cares about. He remains proudly faithful to those for whom he is responsible.

For several years I myself have adopted these 7 virtues as a path to follow. I find them essential in everyone’s life because we are all warriors. Every day we face challenges and every day we must aim for that spiritual perfection that, if pursued to the end, would lead to a better world.
Are you ready to take these steps?[:ja]Between the period of the Kamakura shogunate (1185) and the Muromachi period (1336) the code of moral conduct known as Bushido took shape (武士道, the path of the warrior). Formally adopted and applied by the “bushi”, the warriors (Samurai) in the Tokugawa Period (1603-1867), this code of conduct is a re-adaptation of the principles of Buddhism and Confucianism. Originally adapted to the warrior caste, after the Meiji Restoration (1866-1869), the Japanese nationalist movement adopted by Bushido as a discipline of behavior.

photo credits: camminospirituale.com

The 7 principles of Bushido: 7 steps towards perfection

Honesty, justice, piety, duty, honour, and loyalty were the principles that had to be pursued until death. If this were not followed, the penalty was the dishonour to be expiated through the seppuku (切腹) or harakiri (切り). Both of these terms indicate the ritual of honourable suicide through the cutting of the belly. Harakiri is used in speech, while seppuku is most used in writing.
Each Samurai was therefore required to follow 7 fundamental principles that we can define as “perfect morality”.

Let’s go into them and discover them together:

義, Gi: Honesty and Justice

There are no middle ways, there is only the right or the wrong. It is necessary to be honest in dealing with others, to believe firmly in the justice that comes from oneself, not from other people. The true Samurai never has uncertainties about honesty and justice

勇, Yu: Heroic Courage

The heroic courage of the Samurai rises above the masses. A warrior is not afraid to act, he does not hide in the shell like a turtle, despite the risk and danger. Heroic courage means to live completely, fully, wonderfully, it is not blind but strong and intelligent.

仁, Jin: Compassion

The intense training makes the samurai quick and strong. He is different from the others, he acquires a power that must be used for the common good. He possesses compassion, takes every opportunity to be helpful to his fellows and if the opportunity does not arise he does everything to find one. The compassion of a Samurai must be demonstrated above all in regard to women and children

礼, Rei: Kind Courtesy

The Samurai have no reason to behave in a cruel way, they don’t need to show their strength. A Samurai is also kind to enemies. Without this demonstration of external respect, a man is little more than an animal. The Samurai is respected not only for his strength in battle but also for how he interacts with other men. The best fight is the one who is avoided.

誠, Makoto: Complete Sincerity

When a Samurai expresses the intention to perform an action, this is practically already accomplished, nothing will prevent him from completing the express intention. He needs neither to give the word nor to promise. Speaking and acting are the same thing.

名誉, Meiyo: Honor

The Samurai is the only judge of his honour. The decisions you make and the actions that follow are a reflection of what you actually are. You can’t hide from yourself.

忠義, Chugi: Duty and Loyalty

For the Samurai to perform an action or to express something is to become its owner. He assumes full responsibility, even for what follows. The Samurai is immensely loyal to those he cares about. He remains proudly faithful to those for whom he is responsible.

For several years I myself have adopted these 7 virtues as a path to follow. I find them essential in everyone’s life because we are all warriors. Every day we face challenges and every day we must aim for that spiritual perfection that, if pursued to the end, would lead to a better world.
Are you ready to take these steps?[:]