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Four steles of Dong Haichuan's graveyard
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Li Zhiming and his group of
practitioners moved the tomb of Dong Haichuan (1981)
When Dong Haichuan, the founder
of Baguazhang, died in winter 1882, Yinfu with other disciples buried
him in a cemetery based at the south of Xiao Niu Fang village, beside
the Red Bridge ouside Dong Zhi Men in Beijing. On his burial site were
written all the major facts of his life. However as time passed, the
burial site suffered progressively from wind and rain erosion first and
more recently heavily damaged during the Cultural Revolution, the
epitaph becoming barely readable.
In 1981 under the authority of the Third Generation Baguazhang Great
master Li Ziming, a group of practitioners decided to move Dong
Haichuan tomb and its four steles to the west of Beijing in Wan’an
Public Cemetery, in order to preserve for the posterity the invaluable
information written on these steles.
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

Front
side of first stele (Fig.1)
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On the front side of this
stele is written “For the following generations”. The epitaph was
written with cursive characters.
Here
is the translation of the epitaph:
“His
family name Dong and his given name was Haichuan, originated from the
village of South Niujiawu in Wen An county. When he was young he was
not inclined to do countryside works, but rather to help the poor and
defend the weak against robbers and injustice. He was very fond of
hunting and used to pass all the day long in the forest. He was very
fond of travelling which brought him to visit many places around China
but especially Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces, crossing
mountains and rivers to enlarge his vision of the world and meet more
adventures. Later he met a Taoist who taught him a very special style
of martial art which he will confer him invincibility in combat.
Unexpectedly reaching middle age, he will be forced to follow the
unorthodox way of Si Maqian (famous Chinese historian and poet who was
submitted to castration), to serve as an eunuch servant inside a
palace. Facing injustice as his main enemy, he had no choice but hide
his skills and patriotic beliefs while serving obediently in the Prince
Su palace. Reaching an advanced age and requesting further care,
decided to move in one of his disciples house. This time he can spend
all his time to teach his large number of disciples, around several
thousands… among them were some illustrious and influential officials
but also scholars and merchants, personalizing his teaching to each of
them. |
He demonstrated once his
talents on the Great Wall surrounded by
numerous opponents all armed with weapons and trying to pierce or hit
him. Stirring in all directions, Dong was counterattacking in all
angles, rotating rapidly like a hurricane, to the stupefaction of all
spectators, all recognizing the phenomenal level which Dong Haichuan
has reached in martial arts.
Before
dying, many followers came to touch his hands and feet, he stayed three
days sitting before joining the immortals. The day of his funerals all
his disciples with several hundreds of people all dressed in white,
followed the funeral cortege bringing Dong to his grave site several
miles away from Beijing’s Dong Zhimen Gate. He will leave to everyone a
deep sorrow. In order to commemorate him this stele was erected to
preserve his memory for the coming generations.
Stele
was erected in February 1883.” (Fig. 1).
On
the rear of the first stele was written the following epitaph.
On
its top: “To be preserved for the coming generations”.
The
main text: “He was a very loyal man and who can bear comparison to his
life’s dedication?
Coming
from poverty then joining the army with his sword skills, how can we
really know what was his real task? Suffering from his most intimate
part of the body, loosing his male organs, how can he continue to serve
with the wall of the city? He is the symbol of all those who endure
private mutilation and continue to serve a secret cause.”
Names
of Dong Haiquan’s disciples written of his tomb.

Rear
side of first stele (Fig.2)
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Names
of Dong Haiquan’s disciples written of his tomb.
Senior disciples (56):
Yin
Fu, Ma Weiqi, Shi Jidong, Cheng Tinghua, Song Changrong,
Sun
Tianzhang, Liu Dengke, Jiao Yulong, Gu Yushan, Ma Chunzhi,
Zhangyun,
Qin Yukuan, Liu Dianjia, Lu Chengde, An Fen,
Xia
Mingde, Geng Yongshan, Wei Jixiang, Yangkun, Wang Xinsheng
Wang
Huaiqing, Shen Changshou, Wang Deyi, Zhu Ziyun, Song Yongxiang,
Li
Wanyou, Pan Zhiyong, Song Longhai, Wang Yongtai, Peng Liangui,
Fu
Zhenhai, Wang Hongbin, Gu Buyun, Chen Chunlin, Wang Tingju,
Shuang
Fu, Li Changsheng, Xu Zhaoxiang, Liu Baozhen, Liang Zhenpu,
Zhang
Yingshan, Guo Yuting, Zhao Yunxiang, Zhang quankui, Jiao Chunfang
Liu
Fengchun, Si Yuangong, Zhang Ze, Qing Shan, He Wu,
He
Liu, Guo Tonghai, Xu Henian, Feng Guanglian, Li Chunnian, Chen Pan.
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(12)
Junior disciples:
Qian
Benshan, Zhang Yimin, Ma Gui, Yang Junfeng, Liu Jinyin
Wen
Zhi, Kui Yu, Wang Zhi, Shi Ting, Ju Qingyuan
Liu
Yinzhang, Geng Yulin
Composed
in Qing Dynasty 10th generation (1883) by Cen Guirong and graved by
Qing
Shan
from Shenyang (fig. 2).
These
following disciples did not figure originally on Dong’s stele but was
included by Li Zhiming after relocation of the site (1981).
(9)
additional disciples:
Quan
Kaiting, Ruan Zhengu, Liang Shizhen, Zhang Huaishan, Zhong Xianglin,
Wu
Maoting, Li Yungui, Liu Deguan, Liang Le.
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