Shim Gum Do

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Shim Gum Do, translated as the “mind sword path”, is a martial arts system of recent invention, originating in Korea. Shim Gum Do emerged from the enlightenment of the monk Won Gwang, born as Chang Sik Kim, during a 100 day meditation and prayer retreat in 1965.[1] The central component of the system is a series of 330 forms (choreographed sequences of techniques) using the sword. The system also includes forms using two swords, a long staff, a short staff, and empty hands, as well as a series of 3000 self-defense techniques called Ho Shin Sul.

Chang Sik Kim, the founding master of Shim Gum Do, began teaching in Korea in 1971 and brought his martial art to the United States in 1974. Shim Gum Do schools have since been opened in Italy, Japan, and Poland.[2][3] The current headquarters of the World Shim Gum Do Association as well as the American Buddhist Shim Gum Do Association is Shim Gwang Sa temple located in Boston, Massachusetts.[4]

From the time of Kim’s enlightenment, training in Shim Gum Do sword techniques has focused on the use of a wooden practice sword, commonly called a ‘mokgum’ in Korean. After achieving the rank of black belt, Shim Gum Do sword students may use a Korean style steel sword, which has a single-edged blade and is closely related to the Japanese katana.[5]

Shim Gum Do sword training is broken down into a progression of several series of forms. New students learn a series of basic forms and then move onto beginning defense forms before attaining their yellow belt. After learning 15 of these forms a student may test for a first dan (degree or ‘star’) black belt. Progression may continue through the beginning attack series and on through 14 different series of sword forms. In addition to sword forms, students may learn up to 330 empty-handed forms called Shin Boep (‘body dharma’). Advanced students may study Ssang Gum Boep (‘two-sword dharma’), Dan Bong Sul (‘short staff art’), or Jang Bong Sul (‘long staff art’), consisting of 50 forms each.[6]

Although the physical techniques of Shim Gum Do are intended by Chang Sik Kim to be effective fighting techniques, Chang Sik Kim teaches that the foundation of a clear mind and harmony between mind and body’s action is the most important thing a person can learn for defense. He argues that this ideal makes Shim Gum Do a non-violent martial art. In fact, spiritual aspects are highly emphasized in this martial art. It is typically practiced in spaces set up as Buddhist sanctuaries, and students have frequent opportunities for sitting in meditation and receiving dharma instruction.[7]

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