My master had a secret that he did not talk about.  After years and many questions he finally revealed that he had chosen the practical side of Buddhist transcendentalism, but incorporated Taoism naturalism, (The Way,) and wedded pragmatic Christianity, because he was Samurai.

As such he also lived by the code of bushido which has seven principles to guide a Samurai, the most outstanding being honor, the only canon to be written with two pictograph symbols.  The principles are,

Honor (Meiyo)

The honorable person has integrity and is trusted.  A person without honor is not grounded or centered and will never see the light.

Duty & Loyalty (Chu)

Difficult and easy support each other.  High and low depend on each other.  The best leader is loved.  Next, one who is feared.

Justice & Morality (GI)

Justice is the advantage of the stronger. Thrasymachus

Complete Sincerity (Makoto)

The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.

Polite Courtesy (Rei)

You are a guest in the world.  Streams flow to the sea because they are lower.  Humility gives its power to the oceans.

Compassion (Jin)

Keep your heart as open as the sky.  Enter a battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion for many will die.

Heroic Courage (Yu)

All things change.  Hold on to nothing.

Satoru
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