The Warrior Saint

 

 

Miyamoto Musashi – The Warrior Saint

(March 12, 1584  to  June 23, 1645)

Miyamoto Musashi was one of the greatest Samurai fighters who fought 61 duels in his life without loosing any. He wrote two books, namely 'The Book of Five Rings' and ;'The Path of Alonenness', both of which were given to his most favorite student, Terai Megonojo, a week before death. He was a swordsman, philosopher, strategist and a ronin, a drifter. The first one deals with the strategy of fighting while in the second book, he mentioned 21 precepts  of the way of life, from which one can really have an idea about his personality. All the precepts mentioned by him are very much relevant in all the times. It is a pleasure to share same with the readers here.   

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

2. Do not take pleasure for its own.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world. 

5. Be detached from desires, your own life. 

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7.Never be jealous. 

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation. 

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor for others. 

10. Do not let yourself be guided by feelings of lust and love.

11. In all things , exercise no preference. 

12. Be indifferent to where you live. 

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food. 

14. Do not hold on the possessions which you no longer need. 

15. Do not act following customary  beliefs. 

16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful. 

17. Do not fear death. 

18. Do not eek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age. 

19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help. 

20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor. 

21. Never stay from your way or path.

Each of the above precept is a gem and hope all the readers will benefit from it......Om!