I The
first stele (1883): "The life of Dong Haichuan" by
Yin Fu and by Li Zhimin(1981)
II
The second stele (1904): "Tomb of Ancestor Dong originated from Wen An"
by Yin Fu
III The third stele (1930): "Great Master" Dong by Ma Gui
IV The fourth stele (1930): “Founder of a national art” by Lu Shukui
This second stele was
added by Yin Fu and his closed disciples.
It is written on the top: “Immortal memories”
The major text follows:
“Tomb of Ancestor Dong originated from Wen An.
Fame
and great achievement, so many people are seeking them; unfortunately
most of them will not achieve their goals. But our master (Dong) has
followed the path of the greatest. From self teaching and hard working
he succeeded in transforming himself, it takes time to build a
reputation. His life is exemplary. Dong Haichuan from Wen An was
naturally gifted with a lot strength. During his childhood he learned
and practiced intensively martial arts and this was known in his area.
Once adult, he wished to refine his martial skills, constantly
improving them, so that he decided to visit friends in Hunan Province,
during his trip he lost his way and found around but mountains. At the
very crucial point where he had nowhere to go and nothing to eat,
someone on the top of a mountain who was moving his hand in his
direction. Once Dong reached the top of this mountain, this person
said: “ I was waiting for you since a long time”. From there they
followed a rocky road up to a strange monastery which was apparently
desert. Once he was inside, he passed through many halls before
reaching finally the one where was a man dressed with Taoist clothes,
he had almost a child face and white hair, and he said: “Why are you so
long time to come?” From his martial arts practice Dong was
familiar with the mental control of energies but all he learnt there
was completely different. Dong stayed there for a long time until the
day where he was told: “It is time for you to leave us, you finished
your studies”. Dong was then invited to leave the monastery and as he
was starting his road, Dong looked back to the monastery but he found
just fog and clouds: it has simply disappeared.
Dong’s love of
Martial Arts moved the heart of divinities. During all this time,
everyone thought that he was already dead. But after this episode of
his life, Dong was considered to be gifted with an extraordinary
strength from Heaven and to have inherited martial skills from
immortals. No one could defeat him. Later he worked for the government
as a second rank officer. He lived then in the capital. With a calm
temperament, reserved for his own opinions, he was highly appreciated
for his exceptional skills. Hundreds of high rank officials and
important businessmen visited him. And now his reputation is still
growing even so many years after his death. His martial arts school is
prosperous and anyone can remember his achievements. May this be graved
on this stone.
Salutations for his disciples. (List of his students from Hubei).
Four steles of Dong Haichuan's
graveyard: Second Stele
