In the fifth century A.D. the largest kingdom, Koguryu, attacked the southern Kingdom of Silla, and started a long period of expansionist wars and feudal battles. In the year 540 A.D., King Chinhung came to power in Silla. One of his most significant acts was the creation of an elite fighting group called the Hwarang Warriors. This group was comprised of specially selected young noblemen who excelled in intellectual as well as physical prowess. These young men were taught the arts of philosophy, science, and the like, as well as skills using Ki power and martial arts. King Chinhung called upon the High Buddhist Priest Won Kwang Bopsa, who was a Master of Sado Moo Sool, as well as Buldo Moo Sool. Combining the hard and soft arts together, the Buddhist priest developed a system of martial arts based on his concept of the laws of nature represented by “Um-Yang.”
By combining the hard movements of Sado Moo Sool, and the soft movements of Buldo Moo Sool, Won Kwang Bopsa was able to create a more complete fighting art based on the principles of Um-Yang, which would encompass all possible variations of attacking and defending. This art became far superior to the other, single-minded fighting systems.
King Chinhung issued a decree and chose boys from strong, moral families and named the group “Hwarang.” The Hwarang, or “flowering youth,” were taught this “new” martial art and the Buddhist faith. They were looked upon as examples by the Korean people. They were treated very much like the European Knights of medieval times. These elite warriors of the Silla Dynasty are referred to as the “Hwarang Do,” “The Way to Flowering Manhood.”
These Rules and Tenets are those for which the Ancient Warriors of the Silla Hwarang Do used to live and die.
Hwarang Do O Kae Hwarang Do’s 5 Rules
Il Sa Kun E Chung....................... Loyalty to One’s Country
E Sa Chin E Hyo......................... Loyalty to One’s Parents
Sam Kyo O E Shin...................... Trust and Brotherhood Among Friends
Sa Im Jun Moo Teah.................... Courage - Never Retreat in Battle
O Sal Sang U Tack...................... Justice - Never Take a Life Without Cause
Hwarang Do Kyo Hoon Hwarang Do’s 9 Tennets
Hi................................................ Humanity
Oui.............................................. Justice
Yeh............................................. Courtesy
Ji................................................. Wisdom
Sum............................................ Goodness
Duk............................................. Morality
Chung......................................... Loyalty
Yong........................................... Courage
Sin.............................................. Trust 
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