Martial Art Definitions, Concepts and Philosophies That Define and Govern It

Many confuse Fighting Arts and Combat Sports with Martial Arts as they do not not understand the real meaning of Martial Arts...

This is because:

1. Of the confusion that arises out of the huge differences between Western and Eastern Definitions and Philosophies of Martial art. The Western philosophy is about Fighting, Winning and Victory while the Eastern Philosophy Budo & Wushu are about Stopping an attack or a fight, Defending, Peace and Perfection of Character. 
2. Martial Arts is Multidimensional and cannot be easily comprehended or properly described by a single short definition. 

Thus in order to help everyone understand what Martial Art really is we need to understand it from all the various Perspectives, Definitions, Concepts & Philosophies of Martial Arts shown/taught to us by Great Enlightened Warriors, Masters and Philosophers of the Past that Define and Govern it...

• "The Ultimate Aim Of Karate Lies Not In Victory Or Defeat, But In The Perfection Of The Characters Of Its Participants". – Meijin GICHIN FUNAKOSHI (1868 -1957), Founder and Grandmaster of Shotokan Karate-Do

• "In True Budo, There Is No Enemy Or Opponent. True Budo Is To Become One With The Universe. We Do Not Train To Become Powerful Or To Throw Down Some Opponent, Rather We Train In Hopes Of Being Of Some Use, However Small Our Role May Be, In The Task Of Bringing Peace To Mankind Around The World." – Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), Founder and O Sensei of Aiki-Do

• "To Win One Hundred Victories In One Hundred Battles Is Not The Highest Skill. To Subdue The Enemy Without Fighting Is The Highest Skill." – Sun-Tsu/ Sun Tzu/Sun Wu, Ancient Chinese Military General, Strategist and Philosopher. Author of the ancient book “Art Of War”

• "The Fastest Draw Is When The Sword Never Leaves The Scabbard, The Strongest Way To Block, Is Never To Provoke A Blow, And The Cleanest Cut Is The One Withheld." – An Anonymous Warrior

• "Master The Divine Techniques Of The Art Of Peace And No Enemy Will Dare To Challenge You." – Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), Founder and O Sensei of Aikido

Few That I have Learnt, Observed and Comprehended from the teachings of Great Enlightened Warriors, Masters and Philosophers.

(Please Note: I quote myself to take full responsibility of my words)

• "Martial Art Is The Art Of Defending Without Fighting" - Sensei Michael A. R.
  NOTE: This sounds similar to Bruce Lee's dialog in the movie "Enter The Dragon"- 'My Style... The art of Fighting Without Fighting' but is not the same as Fighting and Defending are completely two different things.

• "Martial Arts Is The Art Of Making Your Enemy Your Friend"  - Sensei Michael A. R.

• "Unlike Martial Combat Or Martial Self-Defense, That Focuses On What To Do In The Situation Of Dispute/Conflict/Fight/War, Martial Art Focuses In
• # Why - To Do/Not To Do
• # What - To Do/Not To Do 
• # Where - To Do/Not To Do
• # When - To Do/Not To Do
• # How - To Do/Not To Do
• And In
• # Why - To Be/ Not To Be
• # What - To Be/ Not To Be
• # Where - To Be/ Not To Be
• # When - To Be/ Not To Be
• # How - To Be/ Not To Be
• So That,
• # One Will Never Be In
• # One Can Prevent
• # One Can Avoid
• # One Can Escape Being In
• The Unfortunate Situation Of Dispute/Conflict/Fight/War In The First Place..." - Sensei Michael A. R.