<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Kuk Sool Won Eastbourne: History of Kuk Sool Won

history of kuk sool won:
1:3 The Three Kingdoms Period: 57 BCE - 668 CE

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Figure 11: Painting of an old Korean Buddhist Monk	Many of the empty-hand self-defence techniques that the monks developed were as a result of observing different creatures from the natural world. For example, there were movements and techniques that bore the characteristics of animals such as the tiger, bear and snake; birds such as the eagle and crane; and insects such as the praying mantis . Mythical creatures such as the dragon also found expression in this system. Although their Buddhist counterparts in the SHAOLIN Temple of China had also developed fighting systems of self-defence based upon mimicking the exact movements of these creatures, for the Korean monk it was the creature’s unique ‘essence’ or ‘fighting spirit’ that was observed, understood and embraced. One reason why the Korean monks held this point of view was simply that it was considered that man was superior to these creatures and that it would be undignified to copy exactly the movements of a perceived lower form of life.
	It is interesting to note also that, although primarily their skills were with their empty hands, some very important weapons techniques were developed, using weapons that were considered ‘natural’,
that is to say, ‘non-bladed’, because of the Buddhist precept of the prohibition of killing . Among these weapons were BONG SOOL (staff technique), DAN BONG SOOL (short staff technique) and JI PAING EI SOOL (cane or walking stick technique). Even to this day, it is surprising how powerful and effective a rolled up newspaper or magazine can be, utilising DAN BONG techniques! However, where weapons are concerned, it has to be mentioned that these warrior monks used bladed weapons such as swords and spears in times of national emergency.
3) Defence of Temple and Homeland At different times in history, when invading armies threatened to overrun their homeland, these patriotic warrior monks took up arms to protect their temple and country. For many centuries after it was first introduced, Buddhism held a special place in Korean society, being designated as the national religion. There were many links between Buddhism and the government. As more often than not the king had strong Buddhist beliefs, donations of land and favour were often made. Therefore, there was, to some extent, an obligation on the part of the Buddhist movement to assist in times of national emergency, and perhaps to a certain degree some self-interest in protecting their way of life. Nevertheless, when asked to fight off hostile aggressors, the Korean monks were fiercely patriotic and became known as ‘Defenders of the Nation’. If it were not for the contribution of BUL KYO MU SOOL, the history of Korea might well have been quite a different story.

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