Master Kang spends a great deal of time describing three basic principles, or ideals, upon which the foundations, or philosophy, of his teachings, his school, and the Moo Duk Kwan system are based.

These gates are considered interlinked, dependent, ordered such that without having fully and completely grasped the first, one cannot progress to the next, and the next. The Gates require that one completely "step through" the first Gate before progressing to the second.

Master Kang once showed the senior class a picture of a physical representation of the first gate (belief) standing in Korea, an ancient, massive, and impressive structure standing many feet tall. From its construction and beauty it has all the hallmarks of the stereotypical "gate of enlightenment." The only detail missing: the gate doors.

This free-standing structure, much like the real "gates" of self -development, lacked any hard, physical impediments to passage. One could simply and mindlessly step through, though the passage would subsequently have no meaning. One must first develop the correct mindset, and the doors are revealed, and meaningful passage can be made.

Five Gates are: