Shaolin Kenpo Creed and Salutation

The Shaolin Kenpo Creed is said at the beginning of class while standing at attention, just after everyone has
bowed in and has briefly meditated.  The Shaolin Kenpo Salutation is said at the end of class with the
accompanying salute, just after shaking hands and lining up to be dismissed.  They are as follows:

Shaolin Kenpo Creed “I come to you with only Shaolin Kenpo. I have no weapons, But should I be forced to defend myself, My principles or my honor. Should it be a matter of life or death, Of right or wrong, Then here are my weapons, Shaolin Kenpo.”

Shaolin Kenpo Salutation "To all the Warriors, To all the Scholars, To the late Great Grandmaster William Kwai Sun Chow. To our Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro And to all the Masters before them. May we remain back-to-back, Defending our country at all times. Shaolin Kenpo."

Creed FAQ's:

What is the definition of a creed?
A Creed is a system of belief, principles, or opinions.

Where did the Creed come from?
The creed said at the beginning of class is a modified version of Ed Parker’s creed. In the early years, GGM Ralph Castro adopted Ed Parker's Creed due to his school's affiliation with the International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA), founded by Ed Parker. After development of his own art and adopting the Shaolin Kenpo name for it, GGM Ralph Castro retained the Creed with the exception that the name "Shaolin Kenpo" was said in place of "Karate, Empty Hands". Going back even further, Ed Parker’s creed was derived from the Yoshida Clan Code used by James Mitose, who is credited with bringing Kenpo to the U.S. in the 1930’s and teaching Kenpo to William K.S. Chow (GGM Ralph Castro’s and Ed Parker’s teacher). The Yoshida Code is as follows: “I come to you with only open hands, Other weapons I have not, But should Right or Honor require it, My hands will bear me out”

Why we do we say the Creeds and perform the closing salutation?
The first creed is simply a way to acknowledge self-confidence and trust in our commitment to use Shaolin Kenpo for self-defense. It can be likened to a code of honor.

The second creed and ending salutation is meant as a sign of respect and thanks to all that have been instrumental in the development and propagation of the system (specifically named are the two most recent Great Grand Masters in our system; GGM William Kwai Sun Chow and GGM Ralph Castro). It is also to acknowledge that we have a common bond in Shaolin Kenpo that unites us.