General Choi Hong Hi
1918 - 2002
A Tribute to the Founder of Taekwon-Do
Some Photos from General Choi's 100th Day Memorial Service - Pyongyang - 22nd September, 2002
Pictured at General Choi's graveside: Mr. O'Donnell, Master Phelan, Master Howard & Ms Keane
Mr. O'Donnell, Master Phelan, Master Howard, and Ms Keane at the Patriots Cemetery prior to the service
TRIBUTE
Our Founder, General Choi, passed away on 16th June 2002. The following is a transcript of the speech made by Mr. Mark O'Donnell V Degree at the special mass held in Dublin on 28/6/02 to celebrate General Choi's life.
We have come together this evening to celebrate the life and work
of General Choi Hong Hi, the Founder of Taekwon-Do. To try to sum
up the essence of this exceptional man in this brief introduction
is not an easy task. We all feel a deep sense of loss at General
Choi's passing; he was like a father to us all who practise
Taekwon-Do here in Ireland as well as the many millions of people
all around the world whose lives he influenced.
To put it simply, if it were not for General Choi and his incredible determination, the martial art of Taekwon-do which we all love so much would not exist. From humble beginnings, his spirit and strength of character turned his original vision into what is probably the most widely practised martial art in the world today. His devotion to the art was so absolute that the man, his life, and his work are one. His remarkable life has ensured that his footprint has indelibly been left on history.
From reading General Choi's personal
memoirs, it is clear even from episodes in his earliest years
that he had an iron will and unshakeable determination. His
clarity and singularity of purpose in developing Taekwon-Do was
evident throughout his life, as he made many sacrifices both on a
personal and professional level in order to ensure that his dream
became a reality. He was a willing teacher to everyone,
regardless of race, religion, or political ideology, and would
teach anyone who was eager to learn Taekwon-Do, whatever the time
or place. Indeed, as General Choi once said himself: "Any
place under heaven is a Do-jang". It was this burning
passion for Taekwon-Do and his refusal to let any obstacles
deflect him from his task, that has resulted in the art being
practised by millions all over the world. As the philosopher Xun
Tzu said:
"A great man chooses only one cause and concentrates all his
energy on it"
Those of us who were fortunate enough to meet General Choi and learn from him all have our own fond personal memories from our encounters with him. He visited Ireland several times, and conducted three international seminars here in 1992, 1995, and most recently in 1999. These seminars have been of immeasurable benefit in many respects to the advancement of Taekwon-Do in this country, and his example continues to inspire those who met him. But it is not only those who have met General Choi who mourn his passing. As said earlier, General Choi and Taekwon-Do are one entity, they are inseparable. Therefore, all students of Taekwon-Do feel a deep sadness at the loss of our Founder.
General Choi firmly believed that the two aspects of Taekwon-Do, the spirit and the technique must be taught together and therefore the ideal instructor must combine the qualities of a scholar and a soldier. It is difficult to think of a more fitting description of General Choi himself. He always saw the greatest purpose of Taekwon-Do as the improvement of mankind and fostering a greater sense of humanity and righteousness in the world.
In the introduction to his "Moral Guide" Book which contains translations of Oriental philosophy, he says the following: "The only way one can achieve the status as a man of Taekwon-Do is to go beyond the technical aspect and establish a lifestyle based on a solid code of morality. In fact, all the years of hard training will be nothing but a waste of time if not accompanied by modesty and propriety which are the very essence of Oriental philosophy".
Through the tenets of Taekwon-Do, namely Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit, General Choi's work and teachings will live on as long as there are instructors dedicated to teaching Taekwon-Do.
He is the true eternal teacher who taught with actions when young, with words when older, and will continue to teach after he has gone through the example he has set.
While we, his Taekwon-Do family in Ireland, will greatly miss our beloved Founder, we will ensure that his legacy continues through future generations of Taekwon-Do students and Instructors.
General Choi and Taekwon-Do are one and the same - as long as Taekwon-Do lives on, General Choi will always be with us.