The club was established in 1982 by Wayne Van Horne, who trained in Shorinji Ryu Karatedo with Thomas Cauley in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Van Horne, now a godan (5th degree black belt), is a professor at Kennesaw State University, where he leads the Yamakan dojo. Budokai and Yamakan members meet regularly for advanced training under Van Horne Sensei.
The head instructor of Ogasawara-Ha Shorinji Ryu in the United States and other countries outside Japan is Thomas Cauley, hachidan (8th degree), based in Selmer, Tennessee. Cauley Kyoshi has trained in karatedo since 1957, including four Air Force tours served in Japan. In addition to his extensive studies of karatedo, Cauley Sensei became a priest of the Konkyo-ko (Kongo) Zen sect in 1967 at Rokunohe monastery in Aomori-ken, Japan. Through Cauley Sensei, the rankings of Budokai members are recognized by the Zen Tohoku Karatedo Kempo Kumiai (All Northern Japan Karatedo and Kempo Union), a kaiha of the Japan Karatedo Federation. UGA Budokai members participate regularly in advanced training and promotion testing under Cauley Sensei.
The dojo's name, Budokai, describes its purpose. "Budo" may be translated roughly as "martial arts," "kai" as "club" or "association." The term "budo" is used to described modern art forms based on traditional military techniques ("bujutsu"). "Do" signifies a "way" or "path," with the connotation of personal development. The purpose of the Budokai is to train in karatedo as "a method of perfecting the character of its participants via mental and physical discipline" (Thomas Cauley).
No fees are charged for instruction in Shorinji Ryu Karatedo, but training requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Nominal fees are charged for testing.
The branch instructor (Shibu Cho) and faculty advisor for the UGA Budokai is Brad Cahoon, godan (5th degree black belt) and Southern U.S. Regional Director for Ogasawara-Ha. Dr. Cahoon began his martial arts training in 1975.
URL: http://www.uga.edu/karatedo/club.html