Dao Chuan (Daoist Tai Chi)
The Tai Chi of the Universal Source
Yuanshi - Taiji
Foreword
The Tai Chi of the Universal Source is a Taoist martial art, historically regarded by Taoists as a secret treasure not to be transmitted outside the tradition. Taoist master An Shengyuan of the White Cloud Temple in Beijing, a 15th generation bearer of the "Zhi" tradition of the San Qing Wei Sect, is already in his nineties. He studied with the abbot of the White Cloud Temple, then later studied with Master GaoHuchen.
Under the instruction of these two masters, 10 years of hard study and tough practice passed as a single day, until he became a true disciple of Taoist Tai Chi. Now, Master An has decided to make the Tai Chi of the Universal Source public, in order that it should not be lost to future generations.
The Tai Chi of the Universal Source (also called Primordial Beginnings), is a rich tradition comprising many forms, and a rigorous structure. It is practical, relaxing the whole body frame, with indirect properties, with the external body movements giving rise to internal energy movements. Practised up to a certain level, it can build a real basis for a unique style, enabling the practitioner to [according to second pulse Zhou heaven moving into].
The Taoist Tai Chi of the Universal Source
This form of Tai Chi is a tradition handed down by the Emperor Xuanyuan, who based it on his witnessing of a battle between a snake and a magpie. According to the records, the Emperor was walking in front of a slope one day when he saw a magpie and a snake struggling with each other, closely entangled. When the magpie attached the snake's tail, the snake's head came to the rescue; when the magpie attacked the head, the head and tail linked together.
The Emperor was most surprised when he saw this, and created a Tai Chi form as a result. It was later taken up by
the Taoist Adept Zhang Sanfeng ("Three Harvests Zhang") and other Taoist masters who augmented it in practice according to the movements of flying birds and walking beasts, cooking fighting techniques and the preservation of life and health together on the same stove. This produce a boxing form that was peculiarly Taoist, comprising dynamic, still, fast and slow sections.
Section 1 — Dynamism
This section is the dynamic section, consisting of 13 forms. It should be practised with a moving energy of intent flowing through all points of the body.
Section 2— Stillness
This section is important as regards technique.
Section 3—Speed
The fast section also has 13 forms, or a total of 12 movement sets. It requires fierceness, violence, speed and hardness.
Section 4—Slowness
This section is also called the ritual of the four directions, requiring the generation of intent via the eight trigrams of the Ba Gua. Intent becomes energy, energy becomes power, until there is a corresponding tension between intent and energy (qi). An internal harmony between intent, energy and power results occurs, and the deployment of gong (qi in the body) and of power.
1. Power - Hard and soft should be in balance. Only then is there completion. Only hardness with no soft is incomplete; only softness with no hardness is unsteady.
2. Speed - Fast and slow should be in balance. Too fast lacks freedom; too slow lacks energy. The two should combine to make flexibility. In this way one can have strength without rigidity, softness without weakness, speed without losing control, and slowness without wavering.
3. Technique - There is an emphasis on a return to emptiness, movement arising from stillness. But even more attention should be paid to the spirit behind the movements, to the positions of hands and feet, entering the forms riding on emptiness, movements coming out of the abyss.
Tai Chi of the Universal Source
Yuanshi-Taiji
1. Opening form
2. Two hands embrace the sun and moon
3. Kick left heel
4. Getting the snake to come out of the hole (squeeze)
5.Grabbing the magpie's tail
6.Single whip
7. Kick right heel
8. White crane spreads its wings
9. Hold the head and protect the summit
10. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
11. Withdraw step, lift up robe
12. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
13. Hold the head and protect the summit
14. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
15. Withdraw step, lift up robe
16. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
17. Hold the head and protect the summit
18. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
19. Brush off the dust
20. Step up and Block, Hammer
21. Closed like a seal
22. Follow palms cross the hands
23. Squeeze hands (ji)
24. Single whip
25. Stubborn hands carry the tiger back to the mountain
26. Single whip
27. Stubborn fists carry the tiger back to the mountain
28. Grope the fish
29. Bottom of elbow, see hammer
30. Repulse the monkey 4 times
31. Slant flying form
32. Squeeze hands (ji)
33. White crane spreads its wings
34. Hold the head and protect the summit.
35. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
36. Tread palms
37. Lift the curtains
38. Point with palm
39. Fan through the back
40. Withdraw body and plant hammer
41. Advance step, grab the magpie's tail
42. Single whip
43. Clouds hand 3 times
44. Single whip
45. High pat on horse
46. Clasp hands
47. Lift right foot
48. High pat on horse
49. Clasp hands
50. Lift left foot
51. Front lift, behind kick
52. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
53. Hold the head and protect the summit
54. Embrace the knee, and stretch out the palm
55. Advance and plant hammer
56. Turn and plant hammer
57. Slow move, through to hammer
58. Retreat body, hammer
59. Flat elbow
60. To both sides, tread leg
61. Advance step through to hammer
62. Advance step through to hammer
63. Clasp hands
64. Fishing the moon from the bottom of the sea
65. Golden dragon coiled and twisted
66. Hit the tiger form right side
67. Shake the hammer
68. Hit the tiger form left side
69. Twin elbows summit behind
70. Right extend leg
71. Golden child makes a gift of wine
72. Step back yin palm
73. Twin peaks through to ears
74. Revolving wind legs
75. Step yin palms
76. Step up and Block, Hammer
77. Closed like a seal
78. Cross hands
79. Left hand firm cut right palm
80. Right slant flying
81. Left slant flying
82. Right Jade Lady Threads the Shuttle
83. Left Jade Lady Threads the Shuttle
84. Right slanting flying form
85. Right Jade Lady Threads the Shuttle
86. Left Jade Lady Threads the Shuttle
87. Advance step, grab the magpie's tail
88. Single whip
89. High cloud hands 3 times
90. Single whip
91. Fishing The dragon from the bottom of the sea
92. Lift step, seven stars
93. Fishing the dragon from the bottom of the sea
94. Golden rooster stands by itself
95. Repulse the monkey 4 times
96. Slant flying form
97. Squeeze hands (ji)
98. White crane spreads its wings
99. Thousand pounds falling elbow
100. The needle at the bottom of the sea
101. Follow on struggle hands
102. Summit fist
103. Rolling palms
104. Backwards hit the whip
105. Two hands cudgel sun and moon
106. Crab style cloud hands 3 times
107. Single whip
108. Left press elbow
109. Right press elbow
110. Push the window to look at the moon
111. Phoenix shows off its feathers left and right
112. Two place lotus legs
113. Bend the bow to shoot the tiger
114. Two elbows pushing aside
115. Right form, bend the bow to shoot the tiger
116. Assault flat hands
117. Retreat body, hammer
118. Advance step, grab the magpie's tail
119. Single whip
120. Snake creeps down
121. Two hands, advance seven stars
122. Turn body, thread palms
123. Advance, thread palms
124. Advance, rush fist
125. Single whip
126. Turn body, part the wild horses mane
127. Turn body, part the wild horses mane
128. Embrace the Taiji
White Cloud Temple
The source
Yuanshi - Taiji
Bai Yun Guan, Beijing
In the 8th century, the Tian Chang Temple was built in Beijing to house a statue of Lao Tzu. Although it burned down in 1202, the statue was saved. In 1224, Genghis Khan ordered the reconstruction of the temple. It came to be known as the White Cloud Temple. Today it is one of China's oldest and largest Taoist temples, housing the office of Taoist Association of China.
In Chinese, Taoist temples are not actually called temples, but Guan. Guan means something like to look at or observe. This is a reflection of the Taoist belief that understanding the Tao comes from a direct observation of nature, rather than scholastic theological studies.
Here are some images of the Temple taken on a full moon Sunday, which is a popular time for Taoists to visit. It is especially popular with Cantonese, whose dialect and fashion stand out from local Beijing residents. The temple is one of the most entertaining I've visited with lots of activities for visitors.
The White Cloud Temple Of Beijing, China is located outside Xibianmen in Beijing. It is one of "The Three Great Ancestral Courts" of the Complete Perfection Sect of Taoism, and is titled "The First Temple under Heaven".
In the 8th century, the Tian Chang Temple was built in Beijing to house a statue of Lao Tzu. Although it burned down in 1202, the statue was saved . In 1224, Genghis Khan ordered the reconstruction of the temple. It came to be known as the White Cloud Temple. Today it is one of China's oldest and largest Taoist temples, housing the office of Taoist Association of China. In Chinese, Taoist temples are not actually called temples, but Guan. Guan means something like to look at or observe.
This is a reflection of the Taoist belief that understanding the Tao comes from a direct observation of nature, rather than scholastic theological studies. The arches at the front have detailed traditional images including two hidden monkeys. Visitors believe it is lucky to find and touch them. Just inside the entrance is a bridge crossing over nothing in particular. Under the bridge are oversized Chinese coins with bells in the middle. For a couple of dollars you can buy a bunch of fake coins to throw at the bells. It is said to be lucky if you can hit the bell with a coin throwing from either side. nside the Temple for the Immortal Qui is a detailed model of scenes from the life of this very impressive Taoist Ancient.
Born to a good family in Shan Dong in 1148, Master Qui Chang Chun, had an excellent memory and quick wit from an early age. He studied Taoism for many years and came to live in a cave in Shan Xi. He was nicknamed, Sir Palm Bark Raincoat, because of his habit of bringing a simple raincoat and bamboo hat wherever he went. ater, his wisdom attracted invitations from powerful emperors. He turned down several invitations to accept the most inconvenient and dangerous of all: an audience with Genghis Khan. After journeying for two years with 18 disciples to meet the Khan, his reasons became apparent.The two got on very well. After a while Genghis Khan asked Qui's advice on ruling well. Qui counselled him to show restraint in killing. On the issue of longevity, he recommended easing the mind and avoiding excessive desires. It is said this meeting encouraged Khan to soften his brutal ways to the benefit of his subjects. Qui's journey had been worthwhile.