The practice of Shornji Kempo is based the following six philosophical principals:
Ken Zen Ichinyo
Riki Ai Funi
Shushu Koju
Fusatsu Katsujin
Goju Ittai
Kumite Shutai
Ken Zen Ichinyo: The Mind and the Body are one. Ken means body, while zen means the mind/spirit. The mind and the body are two halfs of a whole and one cannot emphasize one over the others. In Shorinji Kempo neither the mind or the body is more important, thus it is important to train each as a component of the other. Strong people require both mind and body, in harmony.
Riki Ai Funi – Power and Love are not two. Shorinji Kempo teaches that strength without love is violence and love without strength is only decoration. Riki (strength) represents physical strength, intellect and action. Ai (love) represents gentleness, compassion and a way of thinking. In this world, there are people that act without compassion in favor of action and power. The result is that in many people suffer. On the other hand, if people are not strong and cannot act to defend their ideas and beliefs, nothing happens. Some people only respect strength and treat others without compassion or mercy. When strength and love, knowledge and compassion are joined together, we can live to our potential as human beings. If you or your loved ones are attacked, you need strength to protect yourself; but if you are strong and use your strength without compassion, then that is only violence, Each must learn to develop and balance both strength and compassion, in order to be a strong and worthwhile individual.
Fusatsu Katsujin - Not to kill, but to awaken. Martial Arts should never be used for the purpose of hurting others. Shorinji Kempo is very effective as a way of stopping violence when people seek to hurt others. Shorinji Kempo techniques are effective in causing intense pain, in order to subdue an offender and remove their will to fight. It has been designed so that if used properly, a practitioner can immobilise an opponent without causing injury. Shorinji Kempo is not meant for killing or injuring people and the techniques are deliberately designed to be used in a non-lethal manner. Instead, the techniques are effective because they focus on attacking pressure points on the human body and taking advantage of the human body's natural mechanics and movements.
Goju Ittai - Hard and Soft make a whole. Shorinji Kempo is made up of Goho (hard techniques) and Juho (soft techniques) but each set of techniques contain both hard and soft elements. By learning to recognise the soft elements of Goho and the hard elements of Juho the student is able to unite the two to form a unique and dynamic system. In Shorinji Kempo, as in life, we must be flexible and versatile. We learn that hard overcomes soft and soft overcomes hard. If we are completely strict, confrontational and uncompromising, we live a constant struggle and conflict. If we are completely passive and lenient, others will take advantage and we will live in disappointment.
Kumite Shutai - Paired Practice is Fundamental. We are not alone in the world and operate as human beings primarily in relation to other human beings. Shorinji Kempo can only be mastered through co-operative practice in pair form and only by working together can both make progress. Given Shorinji Kempo's strong focus on cooperation and learning to get along with others, it's no surprise that training in pairs is the primary focus. Overwhelming and defeating ones training partner is NOT the objective. Through practice in pairs students experience the interconnectedness of life.
