Unity of technique and theory
A kumdo teaching that practical technique and theory must coincide. Performing a technique without understanding its principle, or explaining it without being able to perform it, is not sari ilchi.
How to say it
- Korean
- 사리일치sari ilchi
- Spanish
- Unidad de técnica y teoría
- English
- Unity of technique and theory
- Japanese
- 事理一致じりいっちjiri itchi
Sari ilchi (사리일치, 事理一致) is a principle of kumdo. In the glossary of the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회), sa (事) is the practical technique or movement and ri (理) is theory or principle (이론·이치).
- Performing a technique without knowing its principle is not sari ilchi.
- Neither is being able to explain it in theory but not perform it in practice.
These sources say kumdo values the match between technique and theory so highly that it is even described as the practice of sari ilchi. Training both together is presented as the shortcut to mastery.
Another explanation from the Association presents sa as the technical method (기법) and ri as the method of the mind or spirit (심법). Neither should be favored over the other. What is understood through principle must be achievable in technique, so constant practice and deeper study are needed.
The term is related to gigeomche ilchi (기검체일치), the coordination of spirit, sword and body in a valid strike. It concerns a different aspect, the relationship between practice and understanding.
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