In memory of my friend, mentor, teacher and co-conspirator I’d like to share something he wrote for PaganMystics with all of you. There really are no words to express how I feel right now, Marek, you will be missed.
The Code of Bunshido (Modern Interpretation)
In today’s society, the modern Samurai Bun-Warrior must be able to control themself in the face of Fluffy Exposition and Hare Dramatai. The successful Bun-Warrior must be able to know who to chop, where to chop, how to chop and when to chop. The modern Bun-Warrior must correctly interpret the Samurai code of behavior, The Bun-Shido: how chivalrous men/women should act in their personal and professional interactions with furry rodents.
Since before the time of the Watership Down, Bun-Warriors have been beset with strife from without and within. The care and feeding of the Warren Peoples have placed a high burden upon the brave Bun-Warriors. Since the Diaspora of the Llewellyn and Ravenwood Culpation events, the wild Fluff have been seen to increase in number and frequency. This code was a natural development of maintaining order and a working society.
The Eight Noble Codes
I. Rectitude or Justice
Bun-shido refers not only to martial rectitude, but to personal rectitude: Rectitude or Justice, is the strongest virtue of Bushido. A well-known samurai defines it this way: ‘Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right.’ Another speaks of it in the following terms: ‘Rectitude is the bone that gives firmness and stature. Without bones the head cannot rest on top of the spine, nor hands move nor feet stand. So without Rectitude neither talent nor learning can make the human frame into a samurai.’
The Modern Bun-Warrior looks to the common factors of knowledge, common-sense, wisdom and fact checking when working with fluff who fail to follow any such precepts. The Bun-Warrior will seek references for understanding before engaging in soul eating.
II. Courage
Bun-shido distinguishes between bravery and courage: Courage is worthy of being counted among virtues only if it’s exercised in the cause of Rectitude, Wisdom and Understanding. In his Analects, Confucius says: ‘Perceiving what is right and doing it not reveals a lack of Courage.’ In short, ‘Courage is doing what is right.’
The modern Bun-Warrior must seek out the truth and investigate the fluffy bunny to bring understanding to the fore. Sometimes this takes courage in the face of an all out fluffy tirade and vicious attack when the fluff has been called on their innacuracy and has no recourtse to reason. Admitting ignorance is not in the Fluffy vernacular.
III. Benevolence or Mercy
A Bun-Warrior invested with the power to command and the power to eat souls was expected to demonstrate equally extraordinary powers of benevolence and mercy: Love, magnanimity, affection for others, sympathy and pity, are traits of Benevolence, the highest attribute of the human soul. Both Confucius and Mencius often said the highest requirement of a ruler of men is Benevolence.
But when the Fluff go too far, prisoners are not always welcome…
IV. Politeness
Discerning the difference between obsequiousness and politeness can be difficult for casual visitors to Fluffdom, but for a true Bun-Warrior, courtesy is rooted in benevolence. But Politeness should be the expression of a benevolent regard for the feelings of others; it’s a poor virtue if it’s motivated only by a fear of offending good taste. In its highest form Politeness approaches Tolerance.
But when a Fluff spews it’s venom without regard for reason and continually rejects the principles of Politic, Understanding and just plain good manners, the modern Bun-Warrior is correct in wielding their weapons of retribution in order to bring back harmony and balance.
V. Honesty and Sincerity
True Bun-Warriors disdained personal gain for greed or for power over others at their expense, believing that “people must grudge hearsay, for rumors hinder wisdom.” Thus children of high-ranking Bun-Warriors were raised to believe that talking about rumor or UPG as if it were accepted fact, showed poor taste. Dishonesty and misrepresentation were thought the greatest menaces to beingness and the bald faced liar was worthy and first in line to receive the chop.
VI. Honor
The sense of Honor, a vivid consciousness of personal dignity and worth, characterized the Bun-Warrior. He/she was born and bred to value the duties and privileges of his chosen profession. To take offense at slight provocation was ridiculed as ‘short-tempered.’ As the popular adage put it: ‘True patience means bearing the unbearable.’
However, when the true Fluff attacks without provocation and is unremitting in their venemousness, honor dictates that the modern Bun-Warrior too must strike back, if only to bring back a sense of peace and greater harmony.
VII. Loyalty
The modern Bun-Warrior stays true and loyal to their teachings and understanding. For from this, the benificent Light of Wisdom doth shine. To be dissuaded from the path of Wisdom by the mere chatterings of the unguided and misinformaed Fluff Bunny is an offense worthy of Seppuku and a generation of being within the Bardo of Confusion. Only in the code of chivalrous Honor does Loyalty assume paramount importance.
VIII. Character and Self-Control
Bun-Shido teaches that all beings should behave according to absolute ethical standards, one that transcends logic. What’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong. The difference between good and bad and between right and wrong are simple human conveniences, not arguments subject to discussion or justification, and a being should know the difference. Finally, it is a being’s obligation to teach his children and students ethical standards through the model of one’s own behavior.
Yet realizing that one is still limited by one’s own understandings and short coming and must give oneself the benefit of the doubt when a Fluff drives one beyond momentary Reason.
The Corollaries of Bun-Shido
1.) Strike when the Fluff is hot.
2.) If compassion has been given, do not return it if it is disdained.
3.) Never apologize for the Chop.
4.) Fair Warning shall always be given.
5.) Mercy is not a factor if Fair Warning has been ignored.
6.) Unremiting and vicious attacks will always earn the Chop and a good Soul Eating.
7.) Never use Mustard when Eating a Soul.
