Guidelines for Participation in the Bujinkan
By Masaaki Hatsumi
TheBujinkan shall be open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelinesof the Bujinkan Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join.Specifically: Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelinesshall be allowed to participate.

Onlythose able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shallbe allowed to participate. A physician’s examination report shall be required.Specifically, individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or mentallyinstability shall be barred from joining. The necessity of such a reportconcerns individuals who may present a danger to others, for example,those with infectious diseases or illnesses, individuals with clinicallyabnormal personalities or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.
Individuals with criminal records shall be turned away. Trouble makers,those who commit crimes, and those living in Japan who break domesticlaws shall be turned away.
Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as practitionersor as members of society, by committing disgraceful or reproachable actsshall be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers ofpeople who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately, were those committingviolent drunken acts, the mentally ill, and trouble makers who thoughtonly of themselves and failed to see how their actions might adverselyaffect others. Through their actions, such people were discarding thetraditional righteous heart of the Bujinkan. From this day forward, allsuch people shall be expelled.
Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outsidethe dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremelyimportant point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for accidentsoccurring during Bujinkan training shall not be admitted. Reiteratingfor clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take responsibility for any accidentshappening in the course of training, regardless of the location.
All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual member’s card. Thiscard not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicatesyou are part of a larger whole – one whose members come together withwarrior hearts to better themselves through training and friendship. Itevinces the glory of warrior virtue, and embodies both loyalty and brotherlylove.
The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality ofall human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between thetwo parts:
«The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.»

«Tostudy is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin).»

Recently,the Bujinkan has become truly international. Just as there are varioustime zones, so exist various taboos among the world’s peoples and nations.We must respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must putthe heart of the warrior first, working together for self-improvementand for the betterment of the Bujinkan.

Thosenot upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of theBujinkan.

MasaakiHatsumi – Soke