1. The Bujinkan shall be
open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the Bujinkan
Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join. Specifically: Only those
who have read and agreed with these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.
2. Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication
shall be allowed to participate. A physician's examination report shall be
required. Specifically, individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or
mental instability shall be barred from joining. The necessity of such a report
concerns individuals who may present a danger to others, for example, those with
infectious diseases or illnesses, individuals with clinically abnormal
personalities or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.
3. Individuals with
criminal records shall be turned away. Trouble makers, those who commit crimes,
and those living in Japan who break domestic laws shall be turned away.
4. Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as practitioners
or as members of society, by committing disgraceful or reproachable acts shall
be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers of people who
came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately, were those committing violent drunken
acts, the mentally ill, and trouble makers who thought only of themselves and
failed to see how their actions might adversely affect others. Through their
actions, such people were discarding the traditional righteous heart of the
Bujinkan. From this day forward, all such people shall be expelled.
5. Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outside the
dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremely
important point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for accidents
occurring during Bujinkan training shall not be admitted. Reiterating for
clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take responsibility for any accidents happening
in the course of training, regardless of the location.
6. All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual membership card. This card
not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicates you are part
of a larger whole--one whose members come together with warrior hearts to better
themselves through training and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior
virtue, and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.
7. The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality of all
human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between the two parts:
•"The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.
•To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin)."
Recently, the Bujinkan has
become truly international. Just as there are various time zones, so exist
various taboos among the world's peoples and nations. We must respect each
other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart of the warrior
first, working together for self-improvement and for the betterment of the
Bujinkan.
Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the
Bujinkan.
Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke