The Japanese martial art Karate-Do has five principles on conduct that should
be pursued by its practitioners. In all books it comes with the `koto` at its
end, just after the principal verb. I've read that `koto` means `thing`, and
in other source I've read that `koto` after a verb makes it transform to a
noun verb, but I think I've don't really understood that very well, since I
can't understand the use of `koto` in this five phrases:

```

    一、人格 完成に 努める こと
    hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto
    Exert yourself in the perfection of character
    
    
    一、誠の道を守ること
    hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto
    Be faithful and sincere
    
    
    一、努力の精神を養うこと
    hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto
    Cultivate the spirit of perseverance
    
    
    一、礼儀を重んずること
    hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto
    Respect propriety
    
    
    一、血気の勇を戒むること
    hitotsu, kekki no yū wo imashimuru koto
    Refrain from impetuous and violent behaviour
    
```

These were extract from this site:
<http://www.shotokankaratedoassociation.com/translating-dojo-kun-meaning-
behind-japanese-characters/> where they explain the philosophical meaning of
the principles.

But, from the grammatical point-of-view, I didn't understood it. What is the
meaning and the utility of this `koto`?

Thanks in advance!
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-30T13:32:35.147
66342
2019-03-30T15:39:53.090
2019-03-30T15:39:53.090
30953
30953
question
grammar verbs nouns
What is the meaning and utility of the "Koto" in the end of these five Karate-Do Principles?