Muay Thai is a Martial Art that can truly apply to real life situation both in self-defense and sport. Thai ancestors had taught and passed on this great legacy of Muay Thai to younger generations through a sacred tradition that captures the heart and soul of all Thais and continues to live on. In the old days young men were instilled with Muay Thai for a clear purpose. Thai warriors developed special and more sophisticated skills by combining skills in using weapons like saber, club, sword, lance, etc. with Muay Thai. Originally, special skills were only taught among individuals of noble status from the top, the king or ruler, down to individuals of high-ranking military status. Later, special skills were passed on to the public or people of common status by individuals who once served honorably in the Royal Army. These great warriors went into retirement, gave up their worldly desire, and entered the monk hood where they spent the rest of their times teaching their students what they knew best. Since Buddhism had long been Thailand’s National Religion and Muay Thai were basically taught by Buddhist monks, a seemingly unbreakable bond between Buddhism and Muay Thai were also developed which can be easily seen or observed, even today, from the pre-match ritual each Muay Thai artist performs. Before the match begins, with sacred cotton band worn around his arm and over his head, each contender solemnly says a prayer and performs a sacred dance routine to commemorate his master who teaches and trains him for the fight.

The 9 Bow's of Respect

Muay Thai Sangka follows the philosophy of the five Ancient Religions of the World. Here are the 9 Bow's that we respect:

1. Phra Tam Bow your head to worship the Teachings of the five religions of the world: the right code to improve each of our lives, because those teachings are the ones that will lead us to the state of enlightenment.

2. Phra Vinae Bow your head to worship the Discipline or Practice of Humanity, because Discipline or Practice will help us to improve our skills in each of our lives.

3. Phra Borisutikun Bow your head to worship the Purity of the mind, heart and spirit, because Purity will help us to cleanse our thoughts, feelings, intentions, speech and actions while learning and practicing the Teachings.

4. Phra Kharunatikun Bow your head to worship Compassion of the ones that want to improve their spirit regardless of age, race, status, rank or religion, because Compassion will help us to understand how to make collective merit.

5. Phra Panyatikun Bow your head to worship Wisdom, because Wisdom will help us to see the truth more clearly and choose a better path in every moment of our lives.

6. Khun Po Bow your head to worship each of our Fathers from each of our lives, because our Fathers will help us to remember our past lives as well as where we come from.

7. Khun Mae Bow your head to worship each of our Mothers from each of our lives, because our Mothers will help us to remember our past lives as well as where we come from.

8. Kruu Ba Ajarn Bow your head to worship each of our Teachers from each of our lives, because our Teachers will help us to remember what we learned and how we practiced.

9. Pu Mi Upakala Khun Bow your head to worship Relatives and Friends that came to help us, because Relatives and Friends that came to help us will make our path easier, so we can become better people.

Thank you
Ricardo Perez Team Toro Muay Thai