What is Jeet Kune Do

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Whether you are an instructor currently teaching, a student or practitioner, or simply an individual who is genuinely interested in learning more about Bruce Lee or his martial art and philosophy, the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus’ goal remains the same: to help people around the world to gain a better understanding of both Bruce Lee and his art and philosophy. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is a non-profit educational organization established for the purpose of promoting understanding through providing the means for those seeking information about the art of Bruce Lee.

The Organization:  Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is a non-profit corporation formed for the sole purpose of preserving and perpetuating Bruce Lee’s art and philosophy which he called Jeet Kune Do. Its existence began in Seattle, Washington on January 10, 1996 when Linda Lee Cadwell invited many of Bruce Lee’s students among others to discuss the state of her late husband’s martial art with her and Shannon, their daughter. Its Board of Directors is the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus and is currently comprised of 13 original students, 5 second generation students, Bruce Lee’s widow and daughter. 

Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do functions as an educational organization to inform the martial arts community and the public worldwide about Bruce Lee’s body of work. The Nucleus feels that Bruce Lee’s philosophy and way of life represent an inspiring model of thought and can motivate others to develop their full physical and spiritual potential. In order to maintain the integrity of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, the Nucleus wants to give a clear and accurate picture of Bruce Lee’s evolution in the martial arts. 

It is this set of basic technical, scientific, and philosophical principles – the foundation of Bruce Lee’s art – that the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus seeks to preserve. Ideally, every person who understands the basic principles of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do should end up expressing himself uniquely, that is, he or she will absorb techniques that are personally useful and reject what is unsuitable while adding what is specifically their own.

When that individual reaches the stage of artlessness, or the height of simplicity, then truly they will have found their own expression of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, different from anyone else’s. But one cannot reach that pinnacle without having assembled the building blocks. 

The Nucleus decided that Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do would be an organization established for the purpose of promoting understanding through providing the means for those seeking information about the art of Bruce Lee. The Nucleus plans to implement its educational program by means of seminars, group and individual instruction, and the publishing of written, visual, and audio materials.

Towards this end, the Nucleus will build a membership of persons skilled and knowledgeable in Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do who will form the vanguard of the future and will continue the pattern of growth toward greater spiritual awareness initiated by Bruce Lee. 

Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is a non-profit corporation. Any revenue received by the organization through seminars, memberships, publications will be utilized to further the educational goals of the corporation. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do (JFJKD) is a trademarked name and cannot be used legitimately by any persons unauthorized to do so by the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is not associated with any other organization using the name Jeet Kune Do.

Goals: The stated goals of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus are as follows:

• To promote and perpetuate the art of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do and to foster respect for its founder, Bruce Jun Fan Lee.
• To disseminate information to the martial arts community and the public about the art and science of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do based upon Bruce Lee’s written notes and records and the personal experiences of his original students.
• To serve as a living repository of all of the various aspects of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, including physical/technical training, historical foundation, scientific basis and philosophical/mental spiritual learning.
• To maintain high standards of clarity with regard to the dissemination of information concerning the art and its founder.
• To establish a Code of Ethics calling for mutual respect between members and for instructors and practitioners of other martial arts disciplines.
• To give recognition to legitimate instructors and practitioners of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.

The Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Name:  A major resolution was adopted (January 10-11, 1996) concerning the name of the art in order to quell the confusion which currently exists. Shannon Lee Keasler suggested that the terms Jun Fan and Jeet Kune Do be combined to represent her father’s art from this day forward. By unanimous agreement, the term “Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do” was chosen.

Since it was agreed that both Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do cannot and should not be separated, it was decided that the two terms should be combined. In this way, the Nucleus would distinguish the complete body of technical and philosophical knowledge studied and taught by Bruce Lee during his lifetime. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is unique in its approach to the study of combative arts in that it combines martial aspects with an encompassing philosophy and a scientific basis. Hence, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is all-encompassing in that it endeavors to cover all of the various facets of Bruce Lee’s art, philosophy, and history.