|
|
|
|
       |
HWA RANG DAN Approximately 2,000 years ago in the southern part of the Korean peninsula, there was a small kingdom called Silla that was constantly under invasion and harassment by its two more powerful northern neighbors. During the reign of King Chin Heung, the 24th King of Silla, the young aristocrats of the country, in order to defend themselves, formed a young officers warrior corps called the HWA RANG DAN. The HWA RANG DAN trained themselves by practicing mental and physical discipline throughout the year in the wild mountains and along the rugged seashore. They trained and drove themselves unmercifully to prepare themselves for their heroic task. To guide and give purpose to their knighthood, the HWA RANG DAN incorporated a five point code of conduct that was set forth by their country's greatest Buddhist monk and scholar, Won Kang.
The HWA RANG DAN became known in the peninsula for their courage and skill in battle, gaining respect from even their most bitter foes. The strength they derived from their respect to their code enabled them to attain feats of valor that became legendary. Many of the young warriors died on the fields of battle in the threshold of their youth, most as young as 14 or 15 years of age. Through their feats, however, they inspired the people of Silla to rise and unite and eventually conquer the two northern kingdoms. From the victory of Silla, the Korean peninsula became united for the first time in its history.
SOO BAHK During the time of the HWA RANG DAN, the original primitive art of self-defense called SOO BAHK, meaning foot fighting, was popular among the common people, much in the same way wrestling was to the Greeks or boxing to the Europeans and Americans. SOO BAHK was a Korean method of self-defense as old as Korea itself. The people had high regard for SOO BAHK and through the inspiration of the HWA RANG DAN warriors, began to train themselves and develop their art. SOO BAHK was combined with the HWA RANG DAN principles to become SOO BAHK DO, forming the traditional Martial Art of Korea. During the Silla Dynasty, SOO BAHK DO flourished and developed with each new generation passing on its new techniques. The ancient art of SOO BAHK DO, with its high, powerful kicks and speed, was then fused and developed into a new martial art, TAE KYUN. During the Korean Dynasty, which emerged as a new nation after the fall of the Silla Dynasty, this new style of self-defense, TAE KYUN, became widely practiced among the common people of Korea. Since they could not afford armaments they had to rely on their hands and feet for self-defense. This combination of the
old and the new resulted in the development of a form of mental conditioning and
self-defense unrivaled in the modern world. Throughout the Korean War, this art
was tested in actual combat across valleys of the Korean peninsula. Through its
often bloody experiences, the art became a tested, practical form of
self-defense. These experiences gained new respect for the art, not only from
the Korean people, but from the allies fighting there as well. |
<<Back