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Andy's Spirituality Section - Bushido     Bushido Bushido, literally the "Way of the Warrior", is the starting point for all Martial Arts. Bushi means "Warrior" and Do "the Way". Bushido was the Code, the Way of life of the Samuraï. The Samuraï were warriors which used to practise Bujutsu (Bujutsu = all fighting methods of the Samuraï). Bushido was for years the most important part of the education and studies of the Samuraï. Budo developed itself gradually taking its ressources in the mortal war techniques of Bujutsu. Later on, in a trial to group all Bujutsu principles to a more easily understandable system, the code of the Bushido was summarized to the five following main requirements:   Fidelity (Chûgi) - fidelity towards master (lord) and fatherland - respect towards parents, brothers and sisters - assiduousness, steadiness   Politeness (reigi) - respect and love - modesty and correct etiquette (formality)   Virility - valour, courage and bravery - hardness and coolness - never lose self-control - patience and endurance - promptness (always be ready to fight)   Truthfulness/Veracity (Makoto) - sincerity and straightforwardness - sense of honour and justice   Simplicity - simplicity and purity		Samurai During many Japanese generations the Samurai has been the ideal archetype of the highest virtues. This special warrior was the outcome of a very long and complex development process of the Japanese civilization. To understand the mentality and behaviour of the Samurai it is absolutely necessary to study many aspects of his life: - the spiritual aspect (Shintô, Buddhism, Zen, ...) - the social relations - the code of honour - the used weapons - the art of war and combat Both words, Bushi and Samurai can be used to designate the Warrior but in fact, these two words are not synonymous. Bushi is composed of two words: BU (meaning War / Martial Art) and SHI (meaning the person). If we translate the meaning is the Warrior. Bushi should be used when talking about the Warrior in general terms, with an indirect meaning of nobility.   Origin of the Word The word Samurai (the exact origin is SABURAI, from SABURATU, meaning beeing the servant of a master) dates back approximately to the 10th century. Samurai should then be used when talking about a man with a specific function of military nature.   Categories of Samurai The Samurai can be divided in several categories: - GOKENIN (the honourable servant) - RÔNIN (the "floating" man, the warrior with no master) - SOKEI (the Monk-Samurai)