LETTER FROM GRAND MASTER  
The Vovinam salute

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Dear disciples,

Today we discuss the meaning of the VOVINAM VIET VO DAO salute.  “The iron hand on the benevolent heart”  is used at the beginning of all activities, meetings, before a ceremony, before and after a demonstration or dual.The hand symbolizing strenght is an iron hand.  The heart symbolizing love is a benevolent heart.  The iron hand is formed by training, the benevolent heart by thoroughly understanding the way of martial arts.

Whenever on places a hand over the heart to salute, a vovinam Viet Vo Dao disciple must remember that whenever using martial arts always couple it with love.  It means that the iron hand is always with a benevolent heart, bravery must be with humanity, and martial arts are always imbuing with the Way.

Vovinam Viet Vo Dao disciples only use martial arts to warn, to convince and to enlighten others, not to punish or to retaliate.  Using martial arts with The Way, we always forgive and tolerate, but not act with cruelty to force others to follow our will.

Besides, when we put our hand over heart, we also think that we are all a part of the same humanity.  We will have the same heart, coursing with the same blood.  We have to love each other, to protect, to support, to encourage in order to work for the benefit of the family, the country and humanity.

The iron hand is also a symbol of bravery. The benevolent heart is also a symbol of generosity.  Bravery should be coupled with generosity. Bravery and generosity also are governed and directed by the intellect in order to be properly carried out in martial arts.

The martial arts student desires to have all the above mentioned virtues.  He must practice, study, and enhance his mind, body and intellect for both martial art and The Way so that he won’t be awkward in his action.  Otherwise, cruelty, meanness, or weakness and ineffectiveness will be the bad habits, which obstruct his success and cause people to lose confidence in him.

 

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