The Official Charter of the Fist of the Five Winds
One man may conquer ten thousand men in battle while another man may conquer only himself...yet this man is the greater victor.
-- Brother Cyril Fleetfoot, Former Consor, Fist of the Five Winds
Please note that while the Fist of the Five Winds no longer exists as a guild, those who wish to study the Philsophy of the Five Winds should hold the ideals below in mind, as they will lead one to attaining the Center Wind.
We of the Fist of the Five Winds hold always to these Three Precepts:
Honor -- A monk of the Five Winds must hold Honor in the highest regard, for it is our guide toward enlightenment and the cornerstone of our family. To be honorable is to be many things, and to adhere to the following code of conduct:
~ Cordiality -- you are expected to conduct yourself in a kind and courteous manner. Be generous in deed and selfless in nature.
~ Respect -- Honor your elder brethren. Show them proper respect and mind what they say, for they have much to teach you. Honor your fellow beings. Do not deceive, beguile, cheat, or steal from others. Show respect even to the dishonorable and condemnable, for hatred and ignorance can only be conquered by generosity and love. (The traditional method of showing respect is by bowing. Always greet your brethren of the Fist of the Five Winds by bowing.)
~ Loyalty -- honor your Oath to the Fist of the Five Winds. Defend your brothers and sisters, and all that we stand for, at any cost. Your devotion to the Path of Enlightenment should be steadfast and unfaltering, as should your dedication to protecting your home and your Honor. There is no other way.
Selflessness -- A monk of the Fist of the Five Winds is to be humble and unselfish. As a member of the Fist of the Five Winds, you must sacrifice the Self in the name of duty. Boast not of your deeds and accomplishments, and always consider others before yourself. Self-gratification, greed, and pride are chains we must break from so that our journey down the Path of Enlightenment may be unhindered.
Self-Mastery -- At the end of our Path awaits Enlightenment. Througout our lives we are all carried by one or more of the Four Outer Winds. For some, a Wind may be a gentle breeze. For others, it may be a typhoon. But at the end of the Path, the Four Outer Winds flow together from all directions, forming a complete and perfect single current. This is the Inner Wind, the Center Wind.
Every Fist must strive to achieve the Center Wind, the Fifth and Final Wind. This can only be reached through a complete balance of the other Four. Here Soul, Inspiration, Thought, and Action meet equally, and perfection of body, mind, and spirit has been achieved. Balance is complete and all has become one.
No living monk has ever achieved the Center Wind, and perhaps none ever will. Regardless, we of the Fist of the Five Winds have sworn to dedicate our lives to walking the Path of Enlightenment and achieving mastery of the Self, hoping someday to feel the perfection of the Center Wind blowing within our spirit. The only true victory is the mastery of Self.
The Official Out-of-Character Charter of the Fist of the Five Winds