What is real winning?
As long as we make this set of techniques called Shorinji Kempo our banner, losing to others means the end of contemporary Shorinji Kempo, so there's no need to lose. What I have to say, however, is that we are doing something different; we must bring to it a strength of spirit.
I have written a lot about fighting, and I've done some fighting. Still, I've never lost a fight, nor have I ever beaten someone and then rubbed his nose in it. All you need is the ability to stop someone or get in their way when they are doing something bad.
Even if you get thrown into a cell, or threatened, or even tortured, what's important is to have the spiritual strength not to switch sides, right? Even if you're tortured, or pass out, as long as your spirit doesn't give in, then you're the one that's strong. So let's not hear any trivial lines about how your techniques are good or that you can break three titles more than everyone else.
To really win, you have to convince people. If you don't convince someone, then you haven't reached a victory. On that level, I want you all to learn some more.
(October 1969, at a instructors seminar)
