The following set of rules and guidelines that apply to all members and guests of the Dexter Bujinkan Dojo (DBD).

Safety is of the utmost importance. There is no excuse for anyone being seriously or otherwise injured during training. Each student is responsible to train safely with other students and not indulge in any actions that could lead to injury. One way to keep our training safe is to move slowly while locking your training partners joints, giving him/her the opportunity to safely take ukemi (escape). All injuries sustained in training, no matter how minor must be reported immediately to your instructor.

Never bring real weapons to the Dojo. Never train with a real or "live" weapon!

Students should be clean and neat in appearance. Clean do-gi's (or other training apparel) and socks are expected at all times. A clean body is also expected. Finger and toenails should be kept trimmed to avoid scratching or cutting other students.

What you learn in the Dojo stays in the Dojo. Demonstrations of your taijutsu prowess or showing off weapons skills to others is reserved for qualified martial art Instructors. If someone you know is interested in your martial art, direct him or her to a qualified instructor.

Training at DBD is by invitation only. New students are accepted by referral of existing students. New students may not attend training until they receive permission from one of the instructors.

Fighting or use of your skills on anyone outside the Dojo will result in disciplinary action.

Each student is encouraged to keep a notebook.

Martial Art training times are reserved for instruction, not visitation. "Catch up" before or after class. During training try to keep conversation to a minimum. If you are assisting your training partner, show them, rather than tell them.

When the Instructor is addressing the class, all talking and training should stop. Students should assume seiza, or fudoza no kamae and pay attention to what is being said.

Class attendance is expected to be consistent and regular. It is completely understandable that occasionally your life gets in the way and you can't make training. However, if you cannot arrange your schedule to attend class on a regular basis, it might be best to stop training until such time that you can.

The Dojo should be respected and kept in order. YOUR MOTHER DOES NOT TRAIN HERE, so put your toys and weapons away when you are done playing with them. Keep your personal training attire hung up neatly if you leave it at the Dojo. Every student is expected to actively keep our Dojo neat and clean.

Students are expected to assist newer students with what they know. Show rather than tell someone how to do a certain technique. New students must learn this Art by trial and error, allow them the same opportunity you had to learn from their mistakes.

All DBD members are encouraged to recruit at least one new student for every 2 belt promotions.

If you wish to bring a guest to training, it is common courtesy to call and make arrangements with your instructor 1st.

All training dues are to be paid at the beginning of the month and are for the entire month regardless of how many classes are attended. If necessary special payment arrangements can be made with your Instructor.

All members of the Armed Forces, and law enforcement community are eligible for reduce training rates.

You should always know what's going on in your own Dojo. The Dojo web site is maintained for this purpose.

DBD is located on 12 private acres. Please respect privacy of the property owner and only come to the Dojo on scheduled training days.

If you are accepted for training at DBD you must become a member of the of international Bujinkan Dojo. Annual Bujinkan membership dues are $35.00. Members of the International Bujinkan are expected to abide by the Bujinkan Guidelines.

Dexter Bujinjkan Dojo

The International Bujinkan Dojo Guidelines

1. The Bujinkan shall be open to only those who agree with and uphold the guidelines of the Bujinkan Dojo. Those not doing so shall not be allowed to join. Specifically: Only those who have read and agreed with these guidelines shall be allowed to participate.

2. Only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate. A physician's examination report shall be required. Specifically, individuals with mental illness, drug addiction, or mentally instability shall be barred from joining. The necessity of such a report concerns individuals who may present a danger to others, for example, those with infectious diseases or illnesses, individuals with clinically abnormal personalities or physiology, and individuals lacking self-control.

3. Individuals with criminal records shall be turned away. Trouble makers, those who commit crimes, and those living in Japan who break domestic laws shall be turned away.

4. Those not upholding the guidelines of the Bujinkan, either as practitioners or as members of society, by committing disgraceful or reproachable acts shall be expelled. Until now, the Bujinkan was open to large numbers of people who came to Japan. Among them, unfortunately, were those committing violent drunken acts, the mentally ill, and trouble makers who thought only of themselves and failed to see how their actions might adversely affect others. Through their actions, such people were discarding the traditional righteous heart of the Bujinkan. From this day forward, all such people shall be expelled.

5. Regarding accidents occurring during training (both inside and outside the dojo), one should not cause trouble to the Bujinkan. This is an extremely important point. Those unwilling to take personal responsibility for accidents occurring during Bujinkan training shall not be admitted. Reiterating for clarity, the Bujinkan shall not take responsibility for any accidents happening in the course of training, regardless of the location.

6. All those joining the Bujinkan must get an annual membership card. This card not only preserves the honor of the Bujinkan members, it indicates you are part of a larger whole--one whose members come together with warrior hearts to better themselves through training and friendship. It evinces the glory of warrior virtue, and embodies both loyalty and brotherly love.

7. The tradition of the Bujinkan recognizes nature and the universality of all human life, and is aware of that which flows naturally between the two parts:

The secret principle of Taijutsu is to know the foundations of peace.

To study is the path to the immovable heart (fudoshin).

Recently, the Bujinkan has become truly international. Just as there are various time zones, so exist various taboos among the world's peoples and nations. We must respect each other, striving to avoid such taboos. We must put the heart of the warrior first, working together for self-improvement and for the betterment of the Bujinkan.

Those not upholding the above-mentioned guidelines shall be forced out of the Bujinkan.

Masaaki Hatsumi - Soke