The Taekwondo student oath is typically recited at the beginning of a class in Taekwondo, either with students repeating after the instructor, or in unison, students and the instructor speaking at the same time.
The purpose of the student oath is to remind students of their obligations to their art, instructors, fellow students, people outside of their school, and to society at large. The oath is generally repeated at the beginning of class, after students “bow in”. Bowing-in is a process that usually includes bowing simultaneously to the Korean flag and the flag of the country in which the school is located, bowing to the head instructor or photograph of the school’s founder, and finally, bowing to the instructors who will be conducting the class.
Usually, the student oath is preceded by a recitation of a list of tenets of Taekwondo. The instructor typically would prompt the class to repeat the student oath and tenets of Taekwondo.
The tenets of Taekwondo are often given in a list of five: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Young Brothers Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, adds a sixth tenet: modesty. Additional tenets may be included by other schools of Taekwondo. For example, along with the five listed above, Han's Taekwondo school in Champagne, Illinois, includes community service and love, but not modesty.
Following recitation of the tenets, students then recite the student oath, as follows:
- I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo.
- I shall respect the instructors and seniors.
- I shall never misuse Taekwondo.
- I shall stand for freedom and justice.
- I shall build a more peaceful world.
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