The Art of
Peace
Excerpts from The Art of Peace
translated by John Stevens.
One
The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and
your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a
spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in
some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for
no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and
manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your
own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter
Two
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.
Three
All things, material and spiritual, originate from one
source and are related as if they were one family. The
past, present, and future are all contained in the life
force. The universe emerged and developed from one
source, and we evolved through the optimal process of
unification and harmonization.
Four
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. Return
to that source and leave behind all self-centered
thoughts, petty desires, and anger. Those who are
possessed by nothing possess everything.
Five
If you have not
Linked yourself
To true emptiness,
You will never understand
The Art of Peace.
Six
The Art of Peace functions everywhere on earth, in
realms ranging from the vastness of space down to the
tiniest plants and animals. The life force is
all-pervasive and its strength boundless. The Art of
Peace allows us to percieve and tap into that tremendous
reserve of universal energy.
Seven
Eight forces sustain creation:
Movement and stillness,
Solidification and fluidity,
Extension and contraction,
Unification and division.
Eight
Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and
spiritually, we are as good as dead. The Art of Peace is
a celebration of the bonding of heaven, earth, and
humankind. It is all that is true, good, and beautiful.
Nine
Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself
among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your
link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself
soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring
the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all fecundity
and vibrancy of the earth. Finally, blend the breath of
heaven and the breath of earth with your own, becoming
the Breath of Life itself.
Ten
All the priciples of heaven and earth are living
inside you. Life itself is the truth, and this will never
change. Everything in heaven and earth breathes. Breath
is the thread that ties creation together. When the
myriad variations in the universal breath can be sensed,
the individual techniques of the Art of Peace are born.
Eleven
Consider the ebb and flow of the tide. When waves come
to strike the shore, they crest and fall, creating a
sound. your breath should follow the same pattern,
absorbing the entire universe in your belly with each
inhalation. Know that we all have access to four
treasures: the energy of the sun and moon, the breath of
heaven, the breath of earth, and the ebb and flow of the
tide.
Twelve
Those who practice the Art of Peace must protect the
domain of Mother Nature, the divine reflection of
creation, and keep it lovely and fresh. Warriorship gives
birth to natural beauty. The subtle techniques of a
warrior arise as naturally as the appearence of spring,
summer, autumn, and winter. Warriorship is none other
than the vitality that sustains all life.
Thirteen
When life is victorious, there is birth; when it is
thwarted, there is death. A warrior is always engaged in
a life-and-death struggle for Peace.
Fourteen
Contemplate the workings of this world, listen to the
words of the wise, and take all that is good as your own.
With this as your base, open your own door to truth. Do
not overlook the truth that is right before you. Study
how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely
between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise
people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants and
trees - should be your teacher.
Fifteen
Create each day anew by clothing yourself with heaven
and earth, bathing yourself with wisdom and love, and
placing yourself in the heart of Mother Nature.
Sixteen
Do not fail
To learn from
The pure voice of an
Ever-flowing mountain stream
Splashing over the rocks.
Seventeen
Peace originates with the flow of things - its heart
is like the movement of the wind and waves. The Way is
like the veins that circulate blood through our bodies,
following the natural flow of the life force. If you are
seperated in the slightest from that divine essence, you
are far off the path.
Eighteen
Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to
sprout. Just as a lotus flower springs from the mire to
bloom splendidly, the interaction of the cosmic breath
causes the flower of the spirit to bloom and bear fruit
in this world.
Nineteen
Study the teachings of the pine tree, the bamboo, and
the plum blossom. The pine is evergreen, firmly rooted,
and venerable. The bamboo is strong, resilient,
unbreakable. The plum blossom is hardy, fragrant, and
elegant.
Twenty
Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast
sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all
thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and
heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and
enlightenment.
Twenty One
As soon as you concern yourself with the good and bad
of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for
maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and
criticizing others weaken and defeat you.
Twenty Two
The penetrating brilliance of swords
Wielded by followers of the Way
Strikes at the evil enemy
Lurking deep within
Their own souls and bodies
Twenty Three
The Art of Peace is not easy. It is a fight to the
finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood
within. on occasion the Voice of Peace resounds like
thunder, jolting human beings out of their stupor.
Twenty Four
Crystal clear,
Sharp and bright,
The sacred sword
Allows no opening
For evil to roost.
Twenty Five
- To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must:
Calm the spirit and return to the source.
Cleanse the body and spirit by removing all malice,
selfishness, and desire.
Be ever-grateful for the gifts received from the
universe, your family, Mother Nature, and your fellow
human beings.
Twenty Six
The Art of Peace is based on Four Great Virtues:
Bravery, Wisdom, Love, and Friendship, symbolized by
Fire, Heaven, Earth, and Water.
Twenty Seven
The essence of the Art of Peace is to cleanse yourself
of maliciousness, to get in tune with your environment,
and to clear your path of all obstacles and barriers.
Twenty Eight
The only cure for materialism is the cleansing of the
six senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind). If
the senses are clogged, one's perception is stifled. The
more it is stifled, the more contaminated the senses
become. This creates disorder in the world, and that is
the greatest evil of all. Polish the heart, free the six
senses and let them function without obstruction, and
your entire body and soul will glow.
Twenty Nine
All life is a manifestation of the spirit, the
manifestation of love. And the Art of Peace is the purest
form of that principle. A warrior is charged with
bringing a halt to all contention and strife. Universal
love functions in many forms; each manifestation should
be allowed free expression. The Art of Peace is true
democracy.
Thirty
Each and every master, regardless of the era or place,
heard the call and attained harmony with heaven and
earth. There are many paths leading to the top of Mount
Fuji, but there is only one summit - love.
Thirty One
Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to
the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of
self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.
Thirty Two
Economy is the basis of society. When the economy is
stable, society develops. The ideal economy combines the
spiritual and the material, and the best commodoties to
trade in are sincerity and love.
Thirty Three
The Art of Peace does not rely on weapons or brute
force to succeed; instead we put ourselves in tune with
the universe, maintain peace in our own realms, nurture
life, and prevent death and destruction. The true meaning
of the term samurai is one who serves and adheres
to the power of love.
Thirty Four
Foster and polish
The warior spirit
While serving in the world;
Illuminate the path
According to your inner light.
Thirty Five
The Path of Peace is exceedingly vast, reflecting the
grand design of the hidden and manifest worlds. A warrior
is a living shrine of the divine, one who serves that
grand purpose.
Thirty Six
Your mind should be in harmony with the functioning of
the universe; your body should be in tune with the
movement of the universe; body and mind should be bound
as one, unified with the activity of the universe.
Thirty Seven
Even though our path is completely different from the
warrior arts of the past, it is not necessary to abondon
totally the old ways. Absorb venerable traditions into
this Art by clothing them with fresh garmets, and build
on the classic styles to create better forms.
Thirty Eight
Daily training in the Art of Peace allows you inner
divinity to shine brighter and brighter. Do not concern
yourself with the right and wrong of others. Do not be
calculating or act unnaturally. Keep your mind set on the
Art of Peace, and do not criticize other teachers or
traditions. The Art of Peace never restrains, restricts,
or shackles anything. It embraces all and purifies
everything.
Thirty Nine
Practice the Art of Peace sincerely, and evil thoughts
and deeds will naturally disappear. The only desire that
should remain is the thirst for more and more training in
the Way.
Forty
Those who are enlightened never stop forging
themselves. The realizations of such masters cannot be
expressed well in words or by theories. The most perfect
actions echo the patterns found in nature.
Forty One
Day after day
Train your heart out,
Refining your technique:
Use the One to strike the Many!
That is the discipline of the Warrior.
Forty Two
The Way of a Warrior
Cannot be encompassed
By words or in letters:
Grasp the essence
And move on toward realization!
Forty Three
The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack,
toughen the body, and polish the spirit.
Forty Four
Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through
forging, it becomes steel and is transformed into
razor-sharp sword. Human beings develop in the same
fashion.
Forty Five
From ancient times,
Deep learning and valor
Have been the two pillars of the Path:
Trhough the virtue of training,
Enlighten both body and soul.
Forty Six
Instructors can impart only a fraction of the
teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that
the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to life.
Forty Seven
The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and
sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery,
wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical
aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the
body is always limited.
Forty Eight
A true warrior is always armed with the three things:
the radiant sword of pacification; the mirror of bravery,
wisdom, and friendship; and the precious jewel of
enlightenment.
Forty Nine
The heart of a human being is no different from the
soul of heaven and earth. In your practice always keep in
your thoughts the interaction of heaven and earth, water
and fire, yin and yang.
Fifty
The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance.
Because it is nonresistant, it is victorious from the
beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious
thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of Peace is
invincible because it contends with nothing.
Fifty One
There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true
warrior is invincible because he or she contests with
nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of
contention that we harbor within.
Fifty Two
To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To
control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art
of Peace.
Fifty Three
The totally awakened warrior can freely utilize all
elements contained in heaven and earth. The true warrior
learns how to correctly perceive the activity of the
universe and how to transform martial techniques into
vehicles of purity, goodness, and beauty. A warrior's
mind and body must be permeated with enlightened wisdom
and deep calm.
Fifty Four
Always practice the Art of Peace in a vibrant and
joyful manner.
Fifty Five
It is neccessary to develop a strategy that utilizes
all the physical conditions and elements that are
directly at hand. The best strategy relies upon an
unlimited set of responses.
Fifty Six
A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of
mind.
Fifty Seven
The key to good technique is to keep your hands, feet,
and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you
can move freely. The physical center is your belly; if
your mind is set there as well, you are assured of
victory in any endeavor.
Fifty Eight
Move like a beam of light:
Fly like lightning,
Strike like thunder,
Whirl in circles around
A stable center.
Fifty Nine
Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the
nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you
should be: hard as a diomand, flexible as a willow,
smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.
Sixty
If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with
water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water,
by its nature, never collides with or breaks against
anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack
harmlessly.
Sixty One
Functioning harmoniously together, right and left give
birth to all techniques. The left hand takes hold of life
and death; the right hand controls it. The four limbs of
the body are the four pillars of heaven, and manifest the
eight directions, yin and yang, inner and
outer.
Sixty Two
Manifest yang
In your right hand,
Balance it with
The yin of your left,
And guide your partner.
Sixty Three
The techniques of the Art of Peace are neither fast
nor slow, nor are they inside or outside. They transcend
time and space.
Sixty Four
Spring forth from the Great Earth;
Billow like Great Waves;
Stand like a tree, sit like a rock;
Use One to strike All.
Learn and forget!
Sixty Five
When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him;
if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.
Sixty Six
The body should be triangular, the mind circular. The
triangle represents the generation of energy and is the
most stable physical posture. The circle symbolizes
serenity and perfection, the source of unlimited
techniques. The square stands for solidity, the basis of
applied control.
Sixty Seven
Always try to be in communion with heaven and earth;
then the world will appear in its true light.
Self-conceit will vanish, and you can blend with any
attack.
Sixty Eight
If your heart is large enough to envelop your
adversaries, you can see right through them and avoid
their attacks. And once you envelop them, you will be
able to guide them along the path indicated to you by
heaven and earth.
Sixty Nine
Free of weakness,
No-midedly ignore
The sharp attacks
Of your enemies:
Step in and act!
Seventy
Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing.
Bravely face whatever the gods offer.
Seventy One
Each day of human life contains joy and anger, pain
and pleasure, darkness and light, growth and decay. Each
moment is etched with nature's grand design - do not try
to deny or oppose the cosmic order of things.
Seventy Two
Protectors of the world
And gaurdians of the Ways
Of gods and buddhas,
The techniques of Peace
Enable us to meet every challenge.
Seventy Three
Life itself is always a trial. In training, you must
test and polish yourself in order to face the great
challenges of life. Transcend the realm of life and
death, and then you will be able to make your way calmly
and safely through any crisis that confronts you.
Seventy Four
Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad
people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part
of training in the Art of Peace.
Seventy Five
Failure is the key to success;
Each mistake teaches us something.
Seventy Six
In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our
foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and technique
is essential - do not let your heart waver!
Seventy Seven
At tthe instant
A warrior
Confronts a foe,
All things
Come into focus.
Seventy Eight
Even when called out
By a single foe,
Remain on gaurd,
For you are always surrounded
By a host of enemies.
Seventy Nine
The Art of Peace is to fulfill that which is lacking.
Eighty
One should be prepared to receive ninety-nine percent
of an enemy's attack and stare death right in the face in
order to illumine the Path.
Eighty One
In our techniques we enter completely into, blend
totally with, and control firmly an attack. Strength
resides where one's ki is concentrated and stable;
confusion and maliciousness arise when ki
stagnates.
Eighty Two
There are two type of ki: ordinary ki
and true ki. Ordinary ki is coarse and
heavy; true ki is light and versatile. In order to
perform well, you have to liberate yourself from ordinary
ki and permeate your organs with true ki.
That is the basis of powerful technique.
Eighty Three
In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is
proof that one is out of control. Never run away from any
kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control
an opponent unnaturally. Let attackers come any way they
like and then blend with them. Never chase after
opponents. Redirect each attack and get firmly behind it.
Eighty Four
Seeing me before him,
The enemy attacks,
But by that time
I am already standing
Safely behind him.
Eighty Five
When attacked, unify the upper, middle, and lower
parts of your body. Enter, turn, and blend with your
opponent, front and back, right and left.
Eighty Six
Your spirit is the true shield.
Eighty Seven
Opponents confront us continually, but actually there
is no opponent there. Enter deeply into an attack and
neutralize it as you draw that misdirected force into
your own sphere.
Eighty Eight
Do not stare into the eyes of your opponent: he may
mesmerize you. Do not fix your gaze on his sword: he may
intimidate you. Do not focus on your opponent at all: he
may absorb your energy. The essence of training is to
bring your opponent completely into your sphere. Then you
can stand where you like.
Eighty Nine
Even the most powerful human being has a limited
sphere of strength. Draw him outside of that sphere and
into your own, and his strength will dissipate.
Ninety
Left and right,
Avoid all
Cuts and parries.
Seize your opponents' minds
And scatter them all!
Ninety One
The real Art of Peace is not to sacrifice a single one
of your warriors to defeat an enemy. Vanquish your foes
by always keeping yourself in a safe and unassailable
position; then no one will suffer any losses. The Way of
a Warrior, the Art of Politics, is to stop trouble before
it starts. It consists in defeating your adversaries
spiritually by making them realize the folly of their
actions. The Way of a Warrior is to establish harmony.
Ninety Two
Master the divine techniques
Of the Art of Peace,
And no enemy
Will dare to
Challenge you.
Ninety Three
In your training do not be in a hurry, for it takes a
minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to
the first rung. Never think of yourself as an
all-knowing, perfected master; you must continue to train
daily with your friends and students and progress
together in the Art of Peace.
Ninety Four
Progress comes
To those who
Train and train;
Reliance on secret techniques
Will get you nowhere.
Ninety Five
Fiddling with this
And that technique
Is of no avail.
Simply act decisively
Without reserve!
Ninety Six
If you perceive the true form of heaven and earth, you
will be enlightened to your own true form. If you are
enlightened about a certain principle, you can put it
into practice. After each practical application, reflect
on your efforts. Progress continually like this.
Ninety Seven
The Art of Peace can be summed up like this: True
victory is self-victory; let that day arrive quickly!
True victory means unflinching courage; self-victory
symbolizes unflagging effort; and let that day arrive
quickly represents the glorious moment of triumph in the
here and now.
Ninety Eight
Cast off limiting thoughts and return to true
emptiness. Stand in the midst of the Great Void. This is
the secret of the Way of a Warrior.
Ninety Nine
To truly implement the Art of Peace, you must be able
to sport freely in the manifest, hidden, and divine
realms.
One Hundred
If you comprehend
The Art of Peace,
This difficult path,
Just as it is,
Envelops the cirle of heaven.
One Hundred One
The techniques of the Way of Peace change constantly;
every encounter is unique, and the appropriate response
should emerge naturally. Today's techniques will be
different tommorrow. Do not get caught up with the form
and appearance of a challenge. The Art of Peace has no
form - it is the study of the spirit.
One Hundred Two
Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The
further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The
Great Path is really No Path.
One Hundred Three
The Art of Peace that I practice has room for each of
the world's eight million gods, and I cooperate with them
all. The God of Peace is very great and enjoins all that
is divine and enlightened in every land.
One Hundred Four
The Art of Peace is a form of prayer that generates
light and heat. Forget about your little self, detach
yourself from objects, and you will radiate light and
warmth. Light is wisdom; warmth is compassion.
One Hundred Five
Construction of shrine and temple buildings is not
enough. Establish yourself as a living buddha image. We
all should be transformed into goddesses of compassion or
victorious buddhas.
One Hundred Six
Rely on Peace
To activate your
Manifold powers;
Pacify your environment
And create a beautiful world.
One Hundred Seven
The Divine is not something high above us. It is in
heaven, it is in earth, it is inside of us.
One Hundred Eight
Unite yourself to the cosmos, and the thought of
transcendence will disappear. Transcendence belongs to
the profane world. When all trace of transcendence
vanishes, the true person - the Divein Being - is
manifest. Empty yourself and let the Divine function.
One Hundred Nine
You cannot see or touch the Divine with your gross
senses. The Divine is within you, not somewhere else.
Unite yourself to the Divine, and you will be able to
perceive gods wherever you are, but do not try to grasp
or cling to them.
One Hundred Ten
The Divine does not like to be shut up in a building.
The Divine likes to be out in the open. It is right here
in this very body. Each one of us is a miniature
universe, a living shrine.
One Hundred Eleven
When you bow deeply to the universe, it bows back;
when you call out the name of God, it echoes inside you.
One Hundred Twelve
The Art of Peace is the religion that is not a
religion; it perfects and completes all religions.
One Hundred Thirteen
The Path is exceedingly vast. From ancient times to
the present day, even the greatest sages were unable to
perceive and comprehend the entire truth; the explanation
and teachings of masters and saints express only part of
the whole. It is not possible for anyone to speak of such
things in their entirety. Just head for the light and
heat, learn from the gods, and through the virtue of
devoted practice of the Art of Peace, become one with the
Divine.
One Hundred Fourteen
The divine beauty
Of heaven and earth!
All creation,
Members of
One family.
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