From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #263 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Sat, 28 April 2001 Vol 08 : Num 263 In this issue: the_dojang: evil v. ignorance the_dojang: Geography the_dojang: Re:"well,its the same... ol' song..." the_dojang: NHA Affiliated School Opens In Florida the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~1111 members strong! Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The premier internet discussion forum devoted to the Korean Martial Arts. Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Mimi" Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 21:02:44 -0400 Subject: the_dojang: evil v. ignorance Dear Messrs. Sims and Spiller, Perhaps evil exists but it is neither supernatural nor ignorance, just an extreme form of selfishness?? I must say, this is my first week on the digest and it's great to see discussions not only on the martial arts but theology and international affairs too! M. Netzer ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 19:06:29 PDT Subject: the_dojang: Geography Korean Geography www.korea.net Korea is situated on the Korean Peninsula, which spans 1,100 kilometers north to south. The Korean Peninsula lies on the northeastern section of the Asian continent, where Korean waters are joined by the western-most parts of the Pacific. The peninsula shares its northern border with China and Russia. To its east is the East Sea, beyond which neighboring Japan lies. In addition to the mainland peninsula, Korea includes some 3,000 islands. Korea encompasses a total of 222,154 square kilometers-almost the same size as Britain or Romania. Some 45 percent of this area, or 99,000 square kilometers, is considered cultivatable area, excluding reclaimed land areas. Mountainous terrain accounts for some two-thirds of the territory like Portugal, Hungary or Ireland. The Taebaeksan range runs the full length of the east coast, where the lashing waves of the East Sea have carved out sheer cliffs and rocky islets. The western and southern slopes are rather gentle, forming plains and many offshore islands honeycombed with inlets. The peninsula features so many scenic mountains and rivers that Koreans have often likened their country to a beautifully embroidered brocade. The highest peak is Mt. Baekdusan in North Korea, which rises up 2,744 meters above sea level along the northern border facing China. Mt. Baekdusan is an extinct volcano where a large volcanic lake, named Cheonji, has been formed. The mountain is regarded as an especially important symbol of the Korean spirit and is mentioned in Korea's national anthem. Considering its territorial size, Korea has a relatively large number of rivers and streams. These waterways played crucial roles in shaping the lifestyle of Koreans, and in the nation's industrialization. The two longest rivers in North Korea are the Amnokgang River (Yalu, 790 kilometers) and the Dumangang River (Tumen, 521 kilometers). These rivers originate from Mt. Baekdusan and flow to the west and the east, respectively. They form the peninsula's northern border. In the southern part of the peninsula, the Nakdonggang River (525 kilometers) and the Hangang River (514 kilometers) are the two major waterways. The Hangang river flows through Seoul, the capital of Korea, and serves as a lifeline for the heavily concentrated population in the central region of modern Korea, just as it did for the people of the ancient kingdoms that developed along its banks. Surrounding the peninsula on three sides, the ocean has played an integral role in the life of the Koreans since ancient times, contributing to the early development of shipbuilding and navigational skills. ------------------------------ From: "Bruce Sims" Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 21:02:44 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re:"well,its the same... ol' song..." Dear Patrick: "....I grow weary of the lack of understanding by many Black Belts of their obligations. Whining about consideration, whining about lack of attention, whining about fees, whining about certification, whining about me Me ME!!! Have you ever noticed that every student that was ever "compelled" to leave an organization or master never views their action as disloyal behavior?..." I think... I think I agree with you. There is a fine line that I need to make sure I am on the correct side of, though. I, too, have become tired of the simple whining about conditions. Two points that I think remain important, though, are that 1.) room is still left for an honest examination of responsibilities and obligations and 2.) responses to that honest examination be pro-active rather than just more examination for its own sake. As for disloyalty, well, it seems that like dirt and beauty, its in the eye of the beholder. In my own case, when I first advanced the idea of improving teaching methodologies to GM Myung (WHF) I was met with a kind of patronizing indifference. As I becamse more technical in my questions and actually solicited his support the indifference graduated to distance. When I finally approached publishing my first copies and began to actualize my teaching approaches and priorities I was shown the door and asked never to contact him again. Now, I suppose on the one hand people can make a case for "its his game, and his rules." That is a very traditional Korean position and he is welcome to it. However, he elected to teach western students in a western country, not Korea, and pardon me but some adjustments need to be made for culture and art on both sides. My guess is that most Koreans confuse respect for the art with respect for the person teaching the art and finally respect for the person as substitution for respect for the art. The result is the kinds of pissing contests among our much touted GM-s about who is the single most important person (above the art). Oh, and the art? Well, it becomes so eclipsed by the ego fights that crazy round-eyes like me are spending days arguing about the very nature of what it is. What the heck is THAT? I think I understand your position, Patrick, but as always, I posit that once again a person is not a leader just because he identifies himself as such. He certainly isn't a leader when he identifies himself as such and then fails to meet his responsibilities. I wish we didn't have to hammer away at these issues as we do but our leaders failed us by ignoring the needs of the memberships of the various organizations and quibbling about who was going to sit at the top of the pyramid. Now its up to us to clean up the mess for those to come after us. Onwards and upwards. Best Wishes, Bruce ------------------------------ From: Hottstuff5344105@aol.com Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001 09:06:26 EDT Subject: the_dojang: NHA Affiliated School Opens In Florida The American Dragon Martial Arts Academies are happy to invite all DD members to our grand opening party and open house May 5th. 11AM to 5PM. The address is 93 Mari Camp Rd. Ocala, Florida 34472. Our phone number is 352-687-1208. Activities will include various martial arts demonstrations during the day along with complimentary food and beverages. The American Dragon Martial Arts Academies are affiliated with the National Hapkido Association and the Korea Hapkido Federation. Visit our website at www.americandragon.org Sincerely, GM Richard Hackworth and Master Fabian Duque http://khfhapkido.tripod.com ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001 8:38:32 PDT Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V8 #263 ******************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org To unsubscribe from the_dojang-digest send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.