oral questions for dan candidates - Soo Bahk Do™ Moo Duk Kwan ...

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
CHO DAN SHIM SA
1. What is the meaning of the words “Moo Duk Kwan” and when was it founded ?
Answer: Moo (Martial or Military), Duk (Virtue), Kwan (Style or Institute)
Founding date: November 9, 1945
2. What is the meaning of the words “Soo Bahk Do” and when was the name “Soo Bahk Do”
officially adopted by the Kwan Jang Nim and Moo Duk Kwan in Korea ?
Answer: Soo (Hand), Bahk (Strike), Do (Way). Seoul, Korea
3. What is the meaning of the words “Cho Dan” ?
Answer: Cho (Beginning), Dan (Level).
4. What is the meaning of “Pyong Ahn” ?
Peaceful Confidence. The character Pyong is a picture of a balanced scale; the
character Ahn is a picture of a mother and child under a roof.
5. Please describe three (3) areas of human development through the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan.
Answer: Weh Gong (External power), Neh Gong (Internal power), Shim Gong (Spiritual power)
6. Name the first three of the 8 Key Concepts, #4 through 6, #7 and 8 and their translation.
Answer: Yong Gi (Courage), Chung Shin Tong II (Concentration), In Neh (Endurance),
Chung Jik (Honesty), Kyum Son (Humility), Him Cho Chung (Control of power),
Shin Chook (Relaxation and tension), Wan Gup (Speed control).
7. Name any two (2) characteristics of the Hyung “Passai”.
Answer: Light, Quick, Offensive, Active.
8. Name any two (2) characteristics of the Hyung “Naihanji (Neh Bo Jin)” and their translation.
Answer: Heavy (Stable), Powerful, Defensive, Passive. Neh (Inside/Internal), Bo (Step),
Jin (Advance).
9. Give the meaning of any two (2) symbols in the Moo Duk Kwan Flag.
Answer: The leaves represent 14 provinces of Korea, the Green stands for spring, growth and
spreading of Moo Duk Kwan, also stands for peace. The berries represent the 6 major
continents, color red stands for ripening the season of summer. Red also represents the Yang
side of the Urn/Yang. The Yang represents: Heat, active, offensive nature. The Blue scroll
represents knowledge, the characters Soo (Moo) Bahk in the new patch; Tang (Moo) Soo in the
old patch. The Blue stands for autumn, a fruitful result of training, it is also the color of the Um
indication coolness, calmness, passiveness.

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
IO. When was Ki Cho Hyung IL Bu - Sam Bu created and by whom ? How many moves are in each
form ?
Answer: 1947. Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee. 22 moves (Include Jhoon Bee and Ba Ro)
11. What is the meaning of the words “Chil Song” and its related stars ?
Answer: Seven Star. Big dipper with the North star.
12. When was the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation founded and who is your Board
member to represent you in your region ?
Answer: June 28,1976
13. What is the Um - Yang ?
Answer: (Chinese: Yin - Yang) it is the symbol in the center of the Tae Kuk Gi (Korean flag). It
is a symbol which reflects the Oriental view of the duality of the universe and how all things may
be categorized as having one of two natures. Um is the blue side and represents the passive,
coolness, defensive nature, and the female principle. Yang is the Red side and represents the
active, heat, offensive nature, and the male principle.
14. Whom in the Federation should you contact to if you have any concerns ?
Answer: Elected Board member in my region (while observing proper protocol).
15. What can you do to contribute to the success of our art of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan ?
Answer:personal. However it is important to see their indications related to
to their Do Jang, Region, and the Federation.
16. What do you feel is the main ingedient which differentiates a Martial Artist from someone who
just practices Karate ?
Answer: Understanding and applying Moo Do Shim Gong. Just because you can perform the
movements physically, does not mean you have an understanding of the spirit of the martial art.
The spirit of the martial art (Moo Do Shim Gong) envelops all areas of a student’s efforts, on
and off the training hall floor. To live like a martial artist is to be an artist of life and to apply the
virtues and principles outlined in Kwan Jang Nim’s teachings.

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
EE DAN SHIM SA
1. What is the motivation of name “Chil Song” Hyung ?
Answer: “Buk Du Chil Song (Big dipper)” means” North head seven star”. The North star which
was of great importance to early navigators. There are 7 hyungs in the Chil Song series. Each
hyung has its own characteristic. Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee created the Chil Song hyungs
and introduced them to help to guide us toward becoming better Moo Do practitioners.
2. What is the literal meaning of the words “Neh Ga Ryu” and ‘Weh Ga Ryu” 7
Answer: Neh (Inside/Internal), Ga (House), Ryu (Style).
Weh (Outside/External). Ga (House), Ryu (Style).
3. What is the meaning of “Ryu Pa” 7
Answer: Literally, “River flows down divided”, it refers to the natural process of change which
occurs as an art is practiced by human beings. The Kwan Jang Nim stresses, as should the
candidates, that this is an unintentional process and it is not desirable to try to introduce
impurities into the art.
4. What does “Neh Khang Weh Yu” mean ?
Answer: Neh (Inside), Khang (Strong I Hard), Weh (Outside), Yu (Gentle).
5. What is the name of Yuk Ro Cho Dan hyung 3 And its meaning.
Answer: “Du Moon“. Du (Top / Great), Moon (Gate).
6. What have you experienced from Yuk Ro Hyungs and how have they helped you in your personal
development ?
Answer: Personal. However, following terms should be discussed by candidates; Neh Gong
influence, Interaction with nature, Flow of energy...
7. What is the “Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji” 7
Answer: The Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji was published approximately 300 years ago. It is the only
Korean martial art book known to have been written in that time period. It is the oldest and
most valuable historical documentation of Korean martial arts.
8. Why are you required to perform the Ssang Bal Ahp Cha Nut Ki break ? What is the significance
of this requirement and why ?
Answer: At E Dan the practioner is required to perform at a certain degree of proficiency with
each side of his/her body. The Ssang Bal Chagi requires the practitioner to perform this task
simultaneously while several feet off the ground. This is a good test of this requirement. The E
Dan should be able to not only perform well with both sides of their body, but split their energy
and focus all of their intent to two target areas at any given time.

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
9. Explain the significance of the Dan Bon.
Answer: The Dan Bon is the number assigned to the Soo Bahk Do practitioner once he /she
has achieved the rank of Cho Dan in the Moo Duk Kwan. It clearly defines the seniority and
history of the practitioner within the Moo Duk Kwan. Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee is the only
person who assigns Dan Bons and ensures that they are recorded in the Kwan Jok Bu (Book of
Dan numbers).
10. What is and who are the members of Technical Advisory Committee of the Federation 7
Answer: The TAC is responsible for providing all the technical, historical, traditional, and
philosophical guidance of the Kwan Jang Nim to the Federation’s membership under the
chairmanship of Hwang, Hyun Chul Sa Born Nim. Members of the TAC are appointed by the
Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee. The TAC is comprised of the following Ko Dan Ja:
1998 Chung, Hwa Yong Sa Born Nim
1998 Seiberlich, Lawrence Sa Born Nim
1998 Hanke, Russell Sa Born Nim
1998 Martinov, Victor Sa Born Nim
11. What is the role of the Board of Directors? Who is the Board member elected by you in your
region.
Answer: The Board is responsible for providing all administrative services necessary to ensure
that the TAC can achieve its objectives. The Board is not only responsible for a business
administration to the management of the Federation but moreover to the membership. As
elected Board members their representation should be on behalf of the membership.
12. What is the literal meaning of each word in “Yong Gi” (or other 8 Key concepts) ?
Answer: Yong (Brave), Gi (Energy)
Chung (Clean/Clear), Shin (God), Tong (Govern), II (One/First).
In (Endure), Nae (Patience)
Chung (Right), Jik (Straight).
Kyum (Humble), Son (Humble).
Him (Power), Jo (Manage), Chung (Right).
Shin (Relaxation/Expend), Chook (Tention/Shrink).
Wan (Loose/Slowness), Gup(Hurry/Fast).
13. Please describe the process you utilized to prepare for this E Dan testing.
Answer: Personal. However it is important to see that their preparations are connected with
proper Moo Do chain.
14. How will your role and/or responsibilities change if you are promoted to E Dan ?
Answer: Personal. However it is important to see that their discussions are connected with
proper Moo Do chain ( Seniors, Instructor, Do-Jang, Region, and Federation..).

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
15. What types of programs or activities would you like to see the Federation undertake to better
serve its Dan members ?
Answer: Personal.
16. Why is loyalty to the Kwan Jang Nim and Moo Duk Kwan an important aspect of our training ?
What does this means to you ?
Answer: This is the highest level of Moo Do Shim Gong in loyalty. This will also ensure that the
purity of our art, as well as our identity, is connected with the natural heritage and history of the
Moo Duk Kwan.

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
SAM DAN SHIM SA
1. Count from 11 - 15 in Korean and Chinese.
Answer: Yohl Hana, Yohl Dul, Yohl Set, Yohl Net, Yohl Dasut.
Ship Il, Ship E, Ship Sam, Ship Sa, Ship 0.
2. What does “Moo Sang” and “Yu Sang” mean ? How does this philosophy apply to you ?
Answer: 1. Moo (Nothing), Sang (Figure) = Invisible thing
Yu (Exist), Sang (Figure) = Visible thing
2. Personal. Things to consider a). Helps us to achieve balance in our actions and
thoughts.
b). Appreciate the values of Soo Bahk Do as Moo
Do both in our mind and body.
3. What does “Moo Pahl Dan Khum” Mean ?
Answer: Literally, Moo (Martial), Pahl (Eight), Dan (Level), Khum (Silk). The exercises
introduced by the Kwan Jang Nim for better understanding of Neh Gong aspect of our training.
4. There are two basic founding purposes of the Federation. What are they ?
Answer: a). Moo Do Organization. b). Members Organization.
5. What does “Sip Sam Seh” mean ? And what Sip Sam Seh does consists of ?
Answer: Thirteen influence. It consists of “Pal-Gwe” (8 trigrams which indicated 8 directions)
and “0-Heng” (5 essential elements of the universe).
Pal-Kwe: 8 directions, S, N, E, W, SE, SW, NE,NW. - Moo Sang
0-Heng: Hwa (Fire), Soo (Water), Mok (Wood), Khum (Metal), Toh (Earth) - Yu Sang
6. How has the Song of the Sip Sam Seh informed your Soo Bahk Do training ?
Answer: The introduction of this song into the written documents of Soo Bahk Do is highly
significant and must be acknowledged by all practitioners. This ancient song focuses the mind
(heart) on the essence of martial arts training. The song describes both the ultimate goals of
training and the essentials of how to achieve these goals. Each movement in my training needs
to be informed by the wisdom of the Sip Sam Seh philosophy in theory and application.
7. What is the special meaning of the Yuk Ro Hyungs related to the culture and history of Korea ?
Answer: The Yuk Ro Hyungs are translated by the Kwan Jang Nim from the ancient Korean
martial arts manual which he discovered in the library of the Seoul National Uninversity in 1957.
As such, they represent the Soo Bahk Ki of the authentic Korean traditional martial art. Their
discovery and translation reconnects the Korean cultural present with it’s past. This reconnection
is critical to an understanding of Korean culture and history.
8. What is the name of Yuk Ro E Dan Hyung ? And its meaning ?
Answer: “Joong Jol”. Joong (Middle I Center), Jol (Cutting).

ORAL QUESTIONS FOR DAN CANDIDATES
9. How often do you personally train with your instructor?
Answer:
10. Please describe how you prepared yourself for this testing. Was your approach any different from
your preparation for Cho Dan or E Dan ?
Answer: Personal. However, it is important their preparation should be connected with the
proper Moo Do Chain.
11. What roles and responsibilities should a Sam Dan have in the Do Jang that differs from Cho Dan
and E Dan?
Answer: Personal. However, it is important to understand that as a senior Yu Dan Ja their
roles and responsibilities should be connected with the proper Moo Do Chain.
12. lf you successfully pass this examination, what kind of things will you undertake in the next year
that will reflect upon your rank?
Answer: Personal.
13. What can you do to contribute to the success of our art of Soo Bahk Do?
Answer: Personal
14. What does “Moo Do Shim Gong” mean to you?
Answer: Consider followings: Mental discipline, Mental and Physical application of the Moo Duk
Kwan philosophy in their actions, Understanding and upholding the values of history,
traditions. and philosophy of the art and style, and Understand that loyalty is the highest level of
the Moo Do Shim Gong.
15. What is the proper protocol when a student visits another Certified Do-Jang of the Federation ?
Answer: 1. They must notify their instructor before the visit takes place.
2. Their instructor should call and make the hosting instructor aware of the
student’s upcoming visit.
3. Students should confirm their visit with the hosting instructor prior to visiting
a Do-Jang.
4. Students should respect the policies & guidelines of the hosting Do-Jang
while visiting.