As the saying goes, "opposites attract". Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than by Shim Gum Do practices. Shim Gum Do is a Buddhist practice that employs the use of martial arts as a form of Zen. Meditation is commonly identified with stillness and martial arts with action, but by practicing them in unison the followers of Shim Gum Do aim to achieve enlightenment, just as their teacher and founder of the practice, Master Chang Sik Kim, did almost 40 years ago. The doctrines and practices of martial arts Zen are the product of multicultural influences and a long, rich history that has recently been brought to life by the parishioners of the Boston Shim Gum Do Temple.
History of Zen and the Martial Arts
Buddhism in practice began around the year 500 B.C. by the Buddha, Siddharta Gautama, a prince of present day Nepal. Gautama abandoned his royal lifestyle in response to all the pain and suffering that he saw around him. …
