Training hall

도장 (dojang) is the place where a martial art such as taekwondo or kumdo (검도) is taught or practiced. A Korean dictionary defines it as a place where martial arts are practiced or taught.

• Etymology: it is written with the characters 道 (do: road, path, way, method) and 場 (jang: yard, place, open space), so it can be read as "the place where the way is practiced".
• Buddhist origin: in Buddhism the same characters are read 도량 (doryang) and mean a place for cultivating the way. The term originally referred to the ground where the Buddha attained the way. The reading 도장 is used for places where taekwondo, kumdo and similar arts are taught or practiced.
• In kumdo: the Korea Herald describes the dojang as a hall with a wooden floor, filled with the sound of bamboo swords (죽도, jukdo) and loud cries of warrior spirit. Each session begins with meditation in 정좌 (jeongjwa), the kneeling position, with hands on the lap and eyes closed.
• Etiquette: the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회) teaches a "courtesy toward the dojang" (도장에 대한 예). One bows respectfully when entering or leaving the dojang or competition hall, to thank the people who built it and the facility itself. Dojang display the national flag, and the flag salute is made at the start and end of training.
• A senior member of the association writes that a light nod of the head is enough on entering. Another practice guide adds that footwear is tidied and one does not step over the bamboo sword or the protective gear.