Shorinji Kempo Curriculum

Students learn the history of founder Doshin So and his goal of creating a "materially and spiritually rich" world through the development of true leaders. 3. Progression & Examinations

Shorinji Kempo is often described not just as a martial art, but as a "discipline for developing individuals." Founded in 1947 by Doshin So in postwar Japan, its curriculum is a unique blend of "hard" striking, "soft" grappling, and Zen Buddhist philosophy, designed to cultivate both physical strength and moral character The Technical Trinity shorinji kempo curriculum

The Shorinji Kempo curriculum includes:

Before examining the curriculum’s structure, one must understand its roots. Doshin So, a Japanese intelligence officer in Manchuria during WWII, survived the war and credited his escape to the kindness of Chinese villagers. He studied Shaolin Chuanfa under master Wen Laoshi. In 1947, he founded Shorinji Kempo in Tadotsu, Japan, with the slogan: “The power of a fist without justice is violence; justice without fists is powerless.” Students learn the history of founder Doshin So

Pedagogically, the system emphasizes: