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Traditional Baduk
Baduk, martial arts and eastern medicine share the same root foundation. That root foundation is Ki. Baduk is the Korean to English translation of the name. The Chinese to English translation of the name is Weiqi and the Japanese translation of the name is Go. The origins of Baduk begin in China were Baduk has been practiced for thousands of years. The Zuo Zhuan is translated from Chinese to English as the “Commentary of Zuo” and is a Chinese written history that spans from 722BC to 468BC. The Zuo Zhuan mentions Baduk in reference to a historical event recorded around 548BC. Baduk is also mentioned in the Analects of Confucius and in the two books of Mencius. In ancient China, Baduk was one of the four arts of the Chinese scholar. These four arts were Qin (Music), Qi (Baduk or Weiqi), Shu (Calligraphy) and Hua (Painting). Qin, Qi, Shu and Hua are the Chinese to English translations for the arts.
Baduk is a major influence to the structure of traditional martial arts. The study of Nature and Yeum Yang (Yin Yang) are the root principles of Baduk. Traditional martial arts originally had thirty six chambers or rooms dedicated to teach a specific martial arts discipline. Each Chamber had a dedicated master. If a student studied all thirty five chambers and was promoted to the last chamber, the thirty sixth chamber master taught the student the method of running or Chook Ji Bub. Chook Ji Bub is the Korean to English translation. The thirty six chambers are divided into two major systems classified as internal martial arts and external martial arts. Each system has eighteen chambers. The eighteen chambers are called Sib Pal Ki in Korean. The Korean to English translation of this name is the “eighteen techniques”. The system of eighteen chambers was adopted into the practice of Baduk.
Martial arts education is influenced by the practice of Baduk, especially mental education in the martial arts. In ancient times, skill in Baduk was equal to skill in the martial arts. Baduk skill was such a measure of martial arts skill that combatants would engage in Baduk prior to physical confrontation. If the Baduk play was a mismatch in regards to skill, the loser of the match would often bow out to the winner without the need for physical confrontation. This tradition in regards to Baduk play is a testament to the benefit gained by the practitioner. The ranking system of traditional Baduk is based on the ranking system of the martial arts. Just as there are 1st Degree black belt or black sash practitioners in the martial arts, there are 1st degree practitioners of Baduk. Ancient warriors practiced Baduk to develop their mental conditioning, concentration, focus and strategy.
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