History of TKD

Historians often claim that the source of the bare/open hand fighting systems can be traced back to the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (448-529 A.D.), but wherever people met and disagreed some

form of unarmed combat was bound to develop.

There have been various forms of unarmed combat practiced all over the world is such places as China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia and France.

Bodhidharma is reputed to have taught Buddhism to the Chinese monks at the Shaolin Temple in 520 A.D.

His mental and physical training was said to have aided them in their search for enlightenment.

In Korea it is recorded that during the 7^th Century, the legendary Hwa-Rang were the power to be reckoned with on the battlefield; with great feats of bravery and skill attributed to them.

The Hwa-Rang were regarded as instrumental in the victory of the smallest of the three kingdoms, Silla who were able to unite the Korean peninsular under one ruler.

The Hwa-Rang were said to have blended Buddhist techniques with Tae Kyon.

It is wise to bear in mind that as China is often regarded as the cradle of oriental culture, and has the longest history, it is easy for it to have the oldest records pertaining to the martial arts.

The victors write the history books, Silla were victorious so the feats of the Hwa-Rang were recorded, but in contrast to western culture, Koreans also remember those who fought

valiantly and lost, such as General Ge-Baek, who was defeated by the Hwa-Rang, Kim Yoo-Sin.

If you want to believe that the monks of the Shaolin were amongst the first to learn open hand fighting then believe it, their skill certainly backs up the story!

Suffice it to say that TaeKwon-Do has roots that span many centuries and techniques borrowed and refined from other martial arts, but it is this mix that makes TaeKwon-Do and great all round martial art.