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Articles >>> 32th Anniversary of O'Sensei's Pass Away (April 29, 2001) "The secret of immortality is to live a life that is worth remembering." (Bruce Lee) We are here today to honor two such lives that walk the same path. The first, O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, in deepest gratitude for the gift of Aikido on the 32th anniversary of his death. The second, Master Phong, for being our own personal connection to O'Sensei and for the continuation of that gift through his teaching. We live in very angry and aggressive times. Many of us have come to study Aikido because we recognize this and want a way to defend ourselves, our families, and our communities without adding to the destruction. Within these Dojo walls and on these mats we cooperate instead of compete with each other. We enter, blend, redirect, imbalance and throw or control each other without hurting each other. Aikido is a non-violent martial art. Aikido is the art of peace and now is the time to spread that peace beyond these Dojo walls. O'Sensei: O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba developed Aikido as both a martial art and a spiritual way of life. After a lifetime of study, he was able to imbalance and throw opponents without touching or doing harm to them. His study of the martial arts began in his youth out of his own fears and feelings of helplessness. He invested years in his training. His reputation grew. This reputation attracted many challenges. After defeating all challengers, many became his students. On one such challenge, he easily evaded repeated attacks from a wooden sword without injuring or even touch his opponent. He had an enlightening revelation. He realized that defeating an opponent by injuring him was not winning. From that point on, his martial arts and his spiritual beliefs became one. O’Sensei saw Aikido as a way to create global healing. Aikido means the way of harmonizing spirit. O’Sensei said: “To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace. When an opponent comes forward, move in, and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way. If your heart is large enough to envelop your adversaries, you can see right through them and avoid their attacks. Once you envelop them, you will be able to guide them along a path indicated to you by heaven and earth. One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train. The Art of Peace is medicine for a sick world. There is evil and disorder in the world because people have forgotten that all things emanate from one source. The Art of Peace is to fulfill that which is lacking. The Way of the Warrior is to stop trouble before it starts. It consists in defeating your adversaries spiritually by making them realize the folly of their actions. Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer. The Art of Peace begins with you. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter. The techniques of Peace enable us to meet every challenge.” O'Sensei would say, “Aikido is the spirit of loving protection for all beings.” Master Phong: Tenshinkai is the name O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba gave to a fluid and powerful style of Aikido from Vietnam. The word, Tenshinkai, means “the organization that comes from the heart of heaven”. Master Phong is the founder and president of the International Tenshinkai Aikido Federation. Master Phong holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido, a 6th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 5th degree black belt in Judo, and 8th degree black belt in Han Bai Duong (Vietnamese Shaolin Kung Fu). Twice he has been recognized and inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Master Phong continues quietly teaching daily, after over 50 years of dedication to the martial arts, here at his unassuming Dojo. Master Phong was born February 10, 1935 in Phu Le, a former Imperial City in central Vietnam. He was the second of three sons born to a revolutionary. He grew up during the Vietnamese revolt against the French invasion and occupation. Because he was young, while his father and brothers were away fighting or hiding. He stayed to support his mother and family. Instability, constant relocations, secrecy, and war filled his early life. War, separation, imprisonment, and escape also filled his later life. As a South Vietnamese officer, he trained military personnel in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He suffered imprisonment for over seven years in numerous re-education camps after South Vietnam fell into Communist hands in 1975. It was only after 17 failed escape attempts that Sensei Phong successfully reunited with his family in 1986 after a decade apart. These challenges trained Master Phong to bravery, dedication to family, and a deep love of freedom. The practice of martial arts taught him courage and responsibility, the idea of totally giving of one's self, and leadership. The power of harmony of Aikido lies in the ability to work with people without doing harm both inside and outside the Dojo walls. Master Phong wants to teach us all, but especially the youth, to live in an understanding, loving, and harmonious society and to avoid war. Encouragement: If I asked, “What is the way to martial arts success?” Sensei Phong would quietly show a humble grin. The twinkle in his eyes tells the story of "fifty years, everyday." The way to martial arts success is in the training and the practice. The same lesson applies to success in life. We gain nothing without discipline, patience, and persistent effort. Nothing is given you before you first give it your all. Beginners in Aikido often face the lack of competition and immediate acquisition of skills in training. They tend to overlook the underlying philosophy of Aikido that teaches that there is a way to defend yourself without causing damage. Persistent practice is the only way to develop physically and mentally. The techniques of Aikido are a physical demonstration of that principle. It is through persistent training that a student will come to the point that they stay relaxed in their body and calm in their minds, even under attack. This mental attitude is not just for practicing Aikido in the Dojo, but also outside the Dojo walls in our lives. Aikido, both within the Dojo and outside the Dojo walls in all areas of our lives, is the practice of; self-control, not the control of others; self-discipline, not punishment or judgment; of entering, not avoiding; of accepting, not rejecting; of including, not excluding; of peace and love, not fear and anger. "The secret of immortality is living a life worth remembering." Today we honor two such lives that walk the same path. We honor them both, O'Sensei on the 30th Anniversary of his death and our own Master Phong, by the way we train and equally importantly by the way we live. Written by: Lynn Seiser, Ph.D., MFCC (Seal Beach, CA) |
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