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 Zhiming (1981)
Front side of first
stele (Fig.1)
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)
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.
(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.
READ THE REST HERE:
Bagua Zhang - "The life of Dong Haichuan" by Yin Fu
