This is something that (perhaps by now those of you who have read my posts, etc.) I often struggle with.  These forums are steeped with wisdom, so perhaps some of my brothers and sisters can help with.

Let's start with what Do and the stated Do of Taekwon Do is.  Do (or Dao in Chinese) means the Way.  In the context of Taekwon Do its philosophy, this Way is a path or journey the student is set upon in the art.  Often, Do is a path of morality, such as the Tennants of Taekwon Do where through adherence to it, the practitioner learns to live in harmony with the world.  However, the Do of Taekwon Do is much deeper.  The ultimate goal of Do is to free the individual from the Discriminating Mind, also known as the ego.  With freedom from negative emotions such as arrogance and vanity.  With a humble spirit then, practitioners are able to develop their spirit and confidence on a solid basis of personal ability.

However, for some, the Do is greater than for others--such as for those in a traditional school versus a sport school.  However, what is one to do when an instructor seems to lack Do?  What is to be said of "belt-factory" schools wherein students are gifted a new belt for simply paying a testing fee?  What is to be said of schools where students wear a belt color or two lower than their actual belt color at tournaments so they have an advantage in competition?  What is to be said of schools where instructors saw through the backs of boards to make them easier to break?  What is then to be said of schools who then glue these boards back together?  What is to be said of schools that indiscriminately skip students ahead in belts, presumably to pad their advanced ranks? 

The answer I have come upon I stated earlier--to some, Do is more important than dough (money).  But how can this be?  If we are all instilled with the Tennants of Taekwon Do and the Commandments of Taekwon Do, how can such behavior occur?

I suppose even in this case I am guilty of using the wrong type of energy to solve this problem.  Zhuangxi would likely examine this situiation and find the humor in it.  Laozi would explain that I must simply adapt to this enviroment and be like water in my actions.  Still other philosophical elements would have me accept these circumstances as being out of my control, and the struggle I have against them is an inconsequentious one--one of my imagination.

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"The more the water, the higher the boat." Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure

If there is a question here, other than a couple of rhetorical ones, I find it difficult to locate it.  You seem to have a fairly good grasp of how you feel about the "Do."

When I was a young student, many decades ago, all of the high ranking Black Belts and Masters would say to us that "Do means the 'art,' the 'way,' or the 'path'."  As I advanced over the years, I came to believe that they used the wrong conjunction.  I teach my students that "Do means the Art, the Way, and the Path." 

The Art of living, learning to enjoy, appreciate, and value life.  Stop to smell the roses - - protect the weak and innocent - - don't kill unjustly.

The Way of being in harmony with nature.  Choose compromise over conflict - - use force only to prevent a greater harm or injustice - - Don't try to stop the falling tree, but merely step out of the way - - in order to avoid drowning, don't swim up stream - - don't spit into the wind.

The Path of right behavior.  Develop within yourself a good moral compass, and a sense for right and wrong, then choose right.  Associate yourself with others who choose right over wrong.  Accept the consequences of your actions, and avoid repeating mistakes in poor judgment.  Temptation is the slipperiest slope on both sides of the Path of right behavior.... avoid it at all costs.

As for the Tenets of Taekwondo, they will vary from one organization to the next.  A Tenet is a doctrine, or belief in something that one holds to be true, usually suggested or required by an organization, and often self imposed.  In Taekwondo, they are guidelines of behavior or rules of conduct in everyday life.  When I was in the Boy Scouts, they taught us to live by the "Scout Law" which contained twelve parts (or 12 tenets).

"A scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent."

I think that most of those could be summed up in the Tenets of Courtesy and Integrity, but I think a lot of people don't really know what those two words really mean, and even fewer live by them.

I go by the Following Five Tenets of Taekwondo:

Courtesy

Integrity

Perseverance

Self Control

Indomitable Spirit

The first one teaches us how to behave toward others (including respect, honesty, humility, and compassion), and to always do the right thing - - to do otherwise would be discourteous.  The second one provides the strength of character to resist temptation, which would cause you to falter on the first tenet.  The third tenet keeps us going with a resolve and determination to accomplish our goals, and finish what we started.  The fourth tenet suggests precision, restraint, dominion over, and thus responsibility for our actions.  The fifth tenet reminds us to remain cheerful and pleasant which will make the journey more enjoyable for yourself, and those around you.  It also implies the unbeatable nature of one who relies on the strength of their Spirit.  In other words, "it is not so much the size of the dog in the fight, as the size of the fight in the dog."

Respectfully,

Chief Master Eisenhart

Cheif Master... excellent post.

Stone Tiger,

There are 2 simple truthes in any MA.

One is that there will always be those who take advantage to make money, who are in it for the "glory" - although I see no glory in sparring below your belt grade and calling it a victory, those who have arrogance and boastful pride, those who wish to learn MA's to use it as a negative influence... I can go on but why. We all get that point.

The other is the teacher who teaches to better people, students who take it to better themselves and try to help others to better themselves. These are the people whom I would wish to associate with.

In the end, following any MA is a personal journey. It all depends on which road you wish to travel down.

Peace.