The Samurai Sword

The samurai sword represents a tool of discrimination, used to cut through the veil of ignorance and illusion and reveal the Truth. The sword is symbolic of the warrior arts, a counterbalance to the creative arts. Warrior arts are those practices that force us to conquer, not others, but ourselves. Warrior arts teach us to face and embrace challenges, using academic knowledge, wisdom and expertise. In The Three-Fold Path philosophy the sword symbolizes the hard skills, also called professional skills, which one must apply to achieve a goal or succeed in work. It is knowledge, experience and skill in a particular field that enable us to provide the highest service to others. Pursuing continuous education and striving to reach the heights of achievement in our chosen profession lend us the respect and gratitude of others, as well as the joy of leading a productive life.