What is Martial Arts? What is it's purpose?

There are thousands of different forms descending from hundreds of acient forms. Many will argue that martial arts is nothing more than a form of fighting. Some will argue that it's a means to reach spiritual enlightenment.





Many individuals confuse martial arts with fighting. Martial arts can be used in fighting, but there is far more cultural history and depth to any martial arts styles. Modern day media has taken the "fighting" concepts of martial arts and has gloryfied it to the point where there are individuals who want to learn it merely as self defense.





I have personally used martial arts for both spiritual and sports purposes. I have trained with MMA fighters and been in a fair number of fights of my own. My 14 year experience with martial arts leads me to believe that it's true purpose can only be discovered in learning it as a way of life. One must follow a martial artists' lifestye to understand it's meaning.





I'm curious... What does everyone else think?

What is Martial Arts? What is it's purpose?
it is what every culture makes of martial art, the term martial , mean's military.


simply put the use of fighting systems or art is combative.


fighting systems were taught in every culture throughout history but mainly as forms of combat.


i think that different cultures had different ideas of what it mean too be a warrior.


for many cultures, combat forms they taught were representations of the deities they worshiped.


so the idea that too truly master those forms of fighting they had too show a spiritual devotion to those deities.


some cultures required their warriors too take spiritual journeys before they could begin training in that cultures fighting forms.


while other cultures viewed fighting as a form of sport and training in hunting and survival skills.


i think ultimately, it depends on the individual now, what do you seek from your exploration in martial art.


once you have truly answered that question then i think your journey as a Martial arts master will find it fulfillment.
Reply:These days its more of a art / self defense. Its true form is a way to kill. In the past it was either kill or be killed.
Reply:I think that you will find that most martial arts started as a form of spiritual discipline and a way to train the mind as well as the body. It is only in fairly recent times that it has been separated from its original religious contexts.
Reply:I agree with you, because the "right answer" is that depending on the color of the belt, the perception will be one or the other.





For white, yellow, orange belts, in general, martial arts imply self-defense, training, getting in shape, etc.





As you achieve higher belts, you realize that something is changing in your mind and you become more espiritual. But it is a lifetime lifestyle.





I love it. I practice Taekwondo 3 times a week.








neXo
Reply:I will tell you my son!!.....The purpose of all martial arts is!!!.....To Kick you in the NUTZ (Cartman) !!!.......Love Peace...Chicken Grease...Mac-1
Reply:yea, you are right ...what martial arts do is just make yourself a perfect person knowing himself and knowing to control himself in all the situation he face in his life...





its how to represent oneself honeslty...





and about martial arts..its a form of fighting used by the warriors long time ago...





but this then changed it to something that has a lots to do with ones spitual life...strenght..
Reply:Originally martial arts were specifically designed for warfare, and combat. The term martial art means war art. In the past century or so, it has become more of a mix of psychology, religeon, and physical training known as self defense. In more recent years it has become sports oriented and many styles have changed even more from their original forms, to accommodate this new approach to the martial arts.
Reply:The old masters neve ever used the term martial arts at any time and if you can get a dictionary published in the early 60s you wont find it there either in any context or form.


The term martial arts is a western invention by confusing bujutsu [war technique]bushido[warriors way]with bunmin jutsu[civilian self defense technique].





Weaponless technique was always the very last technique of choice for the warrior and almost never used they were mere add ons to the main military arts of sword/spear/archery or other weapons.


Weaponless arts were practiced by those denied weapons or the right to bear weapons because of social status.And any weapons they used were actually farm implements or tools of their trade or work.


I think the idea of the arts is "walk softly carry a big stick"OR you avoid violence from the strength of knowing you can handle it if neccesary.
Reply:Martial means militaristic.It came from the name of the Roman GOD of War,Mars.Basically,a martial art is any system of combat including wrestling,boxing,Zipota(which is a Spanish martial art),Krav Maga(martial art used by the Israeli armies),Modern Army Combatives(martial art style the U.S. army teaches to special forces soldiers,and lastly and my personal favorite,Savate(Created from Street fighting on the streets of France;currently used by the French army for war and the French police force for street fights.)All ''Real'' martial arts have one thing in common:to be able to defend yourself against an attacker and to be able to attack someone.

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