Shaolin Hand Forms

[beiquan]

I thought that this might be interesting to people on this forum. Below is a list of all hand forms contained in the Shaolinsi wushu baike quanshu (Complete Encyclopedia of Shaolin Temple Martial Arts), volume 2. I was surprised by the number of forms, and I'm curious which of these forms are practiced by those of you whose lineage is directly related to Shaolin Temple.

If anyone wants more info on any of these forms, just reply to this post and I'd be happy to provide what I can.

Beginner Level Boxing Forms:
Arhat’s 18 Hands (Luohan shiba shou) (9 routines)
Arhat’s 18 Hands (from the Hushanzi sect) (Hushanzi men luohan shiba shou)
Ten Road Spring Legs (Shi tang tantui)
Eight Step Continuous Boxing (Babu lianhuan quan)
Mind-Will Forms (Xinyi ba)
Lesser Hong Fist (Xiao hong quan) (2 routines)
Greater Hong Fist (Da hong quan) (2 routines)
Mind-Will Boxing (Xinyi quan) (2 routines)
Lesser Penetrating Arms Boxing (Xiao tongbi quan)
Greater Penetrating Arms Boxing (Da tongbi quan)
Rising Sun Boxing (Zhaoyang quan)

Outstanding Boxing Forms:
Arhat Boxing (Luohan quan) (2 routines)
Two Gates Eight Extremes Boxing (Ermen baji quan)
Lesser Cannon Boxing (Xiao pao quan) (2 routines)
Greater Cannon Strikes (Da pao chui)
Lesser Plum Flower Boxing (Xiao meihua quan)
Greater Plum Flower Boxing (Da meihua quan)
Continuous Boxing (Lianhuan quan)
Eight Steps Continuous Boxing (Babu lianhuan quan)
Plum Flower Praying Mantis Boxing (Meihua tanglang quan)
Swallow Shape Boxing (Yanxing quan)
Five Tigers Boxing (Wuhu quan)
Black Tiger Boxing (Heihu quan)
Fierce Tiger Boxing (Menghu quan)
Eight Methods Boxing (Bafa quan)
Five Shapes Eight Methods Boxing (Wuxing bafa quan)
Lotus Flower Boxing (Lianhua quan)
Mind-Will Long Boxing (Xinyi chang quan)
Zhaoyang Boxing (Zhaoyang quan)
Monkey Boxing (Hou quan)
Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (Qixing tanglang quan)
White Ape Praying Mantis Boxing (Baiyuan tanglang quan)
Piercing Foot Boxing (Chuojiao quan)
Splitting-Hanging Boxing (Pigua quan)
Big Dipper Boxing (Tiangang quan)
Breaking Lotus Boxing (Polian quan) (=Taizu chang quan?)
Fleeing the Palace Boxing (Cuangong quan)
Earth Demon Boxing (Disha quan)
Subduing Demons Boxing (Xiangyao quan)
Rolling Dragon Palms (Gunlong zhang)
Wind and Fire Boxing (Fenghuo quan)
Drunken Boxing (Zui quan)
Changhu Mind-Will Style Boxing (Changhu xinyi men quan)
Stone Head Boxing (Shi tou quan)
Footwork Boxing (Bu quan)
Soft Boxing (Rou quan)
Synthesized Taiji Boxing (Zonghe taiji quan)
Short Strike Boxing (Duanda quan)
Chasing the Wind Boxing (Zhuifeng quan)
King Luo’s (Kinnara-raja) 18 Palms (Luowang shiba zhang)
Yaksa’s 18 Iron Sand Palms (Yecha tiesha zhang)
Leopard’s Strikes (Baozi chui)
Searching the Wind Palms (Soufeng zhang)
Subduing the Mountain Palms (Zhenshan zhang)
Leaving the Mountain Boxing (Chushan zhang)
Tiger Strikes Boxing (Hupu quan)
Leopard Escapes Boxing (Baocuan quan) (4 routines)
“Linglong” Boxing (Linglong quan)
Chicken Claw, Dragon Waist, Tiger/Leopard Head Changing Postures (Jizhua longyao hubao tou bianshi)

Vajra (Diamond) Boxing (Jingang quan) (10 routines)

Five Harmonies Boxing (Wuhe quan) (5 routines)

Kan Family Boxing (Kanjia quan):
1.) Opening the Mountain Boxing (Kaishan quan)
2.) Greeting at the Door Boxing (Yingmen quan)
3.) 3 Visits to Zhuge [Liang] Boxing (Sanjian Zhuge quan)
4.) Heart Piercing Strikes (Chuanxin chui)
5.) Five Men Palms (Wufu zhang)
6.) Earth Basin Legs (Dipan tui)
7.) Plum Flower Strikes (Meihua chui)
8.) Continuous Strikes (Lianhuan chui)
9.) Continuous Legs (Lianhuan tui)
10.) Ambush Palms (Maifu zhang)
11.) Pudi sha
12.) Capturing the Enemy, Returning to the Mountain Gate (Qindi gui shanmen)
13.) Guarding the Hall Strikes (Shouyuan chui)

Two-Man Forms:
Arhat’s 18 Hands 2-man Practice (Luohan shiba shou duilian)
Arhat’s Entangling Strikes 2-man Practice (Luohan chanda duilian)
Arhat’s Pulling Hands 2-man Practice (Luohan lashou duilian)
Six Harmonies Boxing (Liuhe quan) (4 routines)
Crushing Step Boxing 2-man Practice(Bengbu quan duilian)
Black Tiger Boxing 2-man Practice (Heihu quan duilian)

Southern Shaolin Boxing:
“Gong” Character Crouching Tiger Boxing (Gongzi fuhe quan)
One Branch Plum Flower Boxing (Yizhi meihua quan)
Arhat’s Joyous/Angry Boxing (Luohan xinu quan)
Tiger and Crane Boxing (Huhe quan)

[freedom76]

Interesting, but no scorpion or toad? Eagle? What school put this list together...or what is the source for this list (other than the book title)? Did you translate this, or was it already in English? Was there a list of weapons forms, specifically staff? (I was looking for more information on windstaff and/or 12 winds--fenggun or shi er gun) Also, from the same "school", Tornado Tiger Broadsword, if they are listed. Thank you for the information.

[beiquan]

This list wasn't put together by a specific school; rather, it is a list of forms that are contained in the Shaolin Encyclopedia compiled by the monk Deqian. The list i translated is of hand forms which are contained in the encyclopedia, and represents forms that were at one time practiced at the Temple. I haven't looked at the volume on weapons yet but i'll check for those forms.

[Shaolin Master]

Southern Shaolin

Yi Zhi Mei & Xi Nu Luohan (which I think only like 12 of the 108 postures were documented) were recorded when De Qian visited my ShiSu (uncle) in Singapore (of Shi Gao Can).

Kan Jia Quan
The actual traditional sets of Kan Jia are not the same (also not 13 but 10 without so many repeated motions)

Qi Xing Quan & Chang Hu Xin Yi Men are related and form part of another traditional style.

The routines/forms in the encyclopedia are half mumble jumble........

oh well anyways...

[FIRE HAWK]

Some of those forms that are in the Kan Jia Quuan section are the same forms that are found in Chuka Shaolin Phoenix Eye Fist the style from Malaysia like Kai San ( Opening The Mountain ) .

[Royal Dragon]

Hmmm, Does this encyclopedia show the forms themselves, or does it just discuss them?

Also, is this avaliable in English yet?

[beiquan]

It has diagrams for most of the forms. Not being familiar with any of these forms though, i can't really say whether or not they're accurate; nor do i know the circumstances of the encyclopedia's compilation, at times the content seems rather haphazard...

[saolim]

One Branch Plum Flower Boxing (Yizhi meihua quan)
Arhat’s Joyous/Angry Boxing (Luohan xinu quan)


It would be nice to know what it says about there forms, especially the second one.

[Shaolin Master]

Where in China are you ?

The encyclopedia only mentions common knowledge things (also found in the association yearbooks). It contains only written descriptions of some of the Xin Nu Luohan. It did not mention much about the sounds or the internal work.

Firehawk,

names are but names do not be confused (I have told you this years ago Hoi Mun (Kai Men) is a common name for the first set of a style because it means open the door (in terms of learning).

Royal Dragon,
It shows every set. It is a huge book in four volumes, but the content is as Beiquan said a little haphazard. In English, not yet it would be a huge undetaking though. Essentially it compiled all the small texts De Qian wrote (and others) over the last two decades or so and then some.

[Royal Dragon]

It would still be a valuable addition to any collector's library.

[Guile]

Originally posted by beiquan
It has diagrams for most of the forms. Not being familiar with any of these forms though, i can't really say whether or not they're accurate; nor do i know the circumstances of the encyclopedia's compilation, at times the content seems rather haphazard...

So it is more for someone who is an already accomplished practitioner? Almost as a review?

[saolim]

Shaolin Master,

I lived in Anshan City, Liaoning Province for almost two years, but I'm back in Holland now. I guess I should update my profile ...

Those yearbooks you mentioned, are those easy to obtain?

[Shaolin Master]

Saolim,

no they are only obtainable during the various association meeting held in singapore in the 70 's and 80's....but I thought your teachers would have some. I have most because as you know my teacher was president of two of the groups as well as the successor in ShuangLin Temple teaching in DaMo Dian.

too bad you aren't in china anymore.....
Liaoning is ok......I will be visiting ShenYang in July for a little while to meet with Chuo Jiao practitioners....

Oh well ...que sera sera...

[Royal Dragon]

It would be a huge undertaking I'm sure, but I bet if it was done one chapter at a time, and then sold through Martialartsmart.com or Wing Lam an individual could live off the proceeds for decades. Especially if they released it one chapter every 6-9 months or so (Hint Hint Hint :D ).

I know I'd buy them.

I'd stilll like copies of those Tai Tzu manuals even more though, but that's just me :p

[saolim]

beiquan,

It would be intresting for me to know what the Shaolinsi wushu baike quanshu (Complete Encyclopedia of Shaolin Temple Martial Arts) says about:

One Branch Plum Flower Boxing (Yizhi meihua quan)
Arhat’s Joyous/Angry Boxing (Luohan xinu quan)

Thanks

[beiquan]

here's something on Yizhimei, although it's not much. there's more about the style but i don't have time to translate it all right now, will post more later:

1. The origin of Yizhimei quan:
Shaolin Yizhimei boxing is a style of boxing currently practiced at the Shaolin Guoshu Association in Singapore. This style, according to the Singapore tradition, was passes down by the creator of Southern Shaolin Yizhimei boxing, Chan Master Gaocan, in order to deliver all sentient beings and spread Shaolin gongfu.
According to the “Boxing Manual” of Shaolin Temple, Yizhimei boxing originated at Shaolin Temple sometime in the Jiajing reign of Ming dynasty (1522-1567). Japanese pirates would often conduct raids along the Southeastern coast, and the court ordered the Shaolin monks several times to assist in pacifying the bandits. At this time, there were monks who, having been killed or crippled in battle, were unable to return to the mountain. Therefore, they set up a temple there and practiced Chan. At the same time, they started to teach Shaolin gongfu to the people of that region. Because the monks had been crippled in their lower bodies, the best they could do was teach upper body techniques, with very few leg methods. Later, when people said “Southern fist, Northern leg,” it was because of this.
During the Qing dynasty, a group of 5 monks and lay disciples including Jingren and Jinglin set out from Shaolin to travel south, establishing temples in Fujian, Guangzhou, Hainan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and other areas, passing on the Shaolin martial arts as they did. After a period of time and assimilation, the skills which originated at Shaolin temple took on their own essence after being practiced for a long time in the south, and became Southern Shaolin… Yizhimei is also a part of Southern Shaolin.
Yizhimei boxing was developed from Shaolin Arhat boxing. Its creator, the monk Gaocan, studied Shaolin boxing at an early age with the teacher Cao Biao. Later, he arrived at the Qingyu Temple in Fujian to become a monk, and became the disciple of the monk Lianghe. He received the precepts under the monk Weijia of the Guangxiao Temple in Putian, then traveled to Puji Temple in Nanhai, Zhejiang, seeking to become a disciple of the monk Huijing in order to study the orthodox school of Shaolin gognfu. In 1901 he set off to travel to Singapore, Malaysia, and other areas where he taught his art. Chan Master Gaocan, through long and arduous practice and fighting experience, made several improvements to and further developed Yizhimei boxing.
In 1948, Gaocan became the abbot of the Shuanglin Temple in Singapore, and in 1958 personally began and presided over the founding of the South Asia Shaolin Guoshu Association. Through the association, he widely spread Yizhimei, and there are more than 3000 who practice it. Because of his efforts, he caught ill and passed away in 1960. After this, his top students continued the work of propagating and developing Yizhimei, in order to broadly spread this style across Asia.

[Guile]

WOw thanks for posting that.

[chief108]

I am looking for this kind of articles...
would you mind posting it on www.selini108.com/martial_arts_portal/ ? (it will be used for users to post their own articles, chat, use webmail and much much more)

It's still under construction, but I want to fill it with good articles like these.......

So.....
Thnx!!!!

Chief108

[saolim]

It's great and intresting. Thanks a lot.

[freedom76]

This info is interesting, thank you. In the weapons section, was windstaff or twelve winds staff listed? I've been told their from shaolin but I've only seen 12 winds staff done in the Jet Li movie Shaolin Temple and nowhere else, nor can I find anybody who has heard of it or seen it. Any help would be appreciated. There also is a broadsword form callled tornado tiger broadsword that is similar to these two staff forms.

[beiquan]

freedom76,

there is a shaolin whirlwind staff (shaolin zuanfeng gun) and a shaolin fire/wind staff (shaolin fenghuo gun)... no 12 winds staff or tornado tiger broadsword that i could find.

[freedom76]

Beiquan

Thank you for looking. The search goes on....

[buddhapalm]

Great information BeiQuan,
Is it possible to get more information on Fierce Tiger Boxing (Menghu quan) primarily. Also information on the following would be very interesting too:

Lotus Flower Boxing (Lianhua quan)
Splitting-Hanging Boxing (Pigua quan)
Earth Demon Boxing (Disha quan)
Soft Boxing (Rou quan)
Yaksa’s 18 Iron Sand Palms (Yecha tiesha zhang)

Only if it is not too much trouble.

Thats very interesting the theory about injured monks in the South. How authentic or reliable do you think this book is ?

Cheers

Buddhapalm

[GeneChing]

I interview Deqian a few weeks ago at his school in Dengfeng. It was a real treat for me, since I hold his work in high regard. He has been trying to get his work translated, but so far, it had been cost prohibitive. Unfortunately, book publishing is not that great a field to be in right now, especially for specialty books like martial arts books. We discussed some of the possibilities together, but I doubt we'd touch it. It's too much of a long term project, with little pay back. What it really needs is some one to do it out of a labor of love (hint, hint) then to present it for publication. I'm sure I could get the necessary permisssions fro Deqian if need be.

Apparently there is an illegal translation of one of his medicine books. I'm supposed to look for it for him. He just wants to see it, to know how it came out.

[beiquan]

Buddhapalm -- will post on the other styles as time permits:

Shaolin Fierce Tiger Boxing

After the Song dynasty monk Fuju invited martial experts in the eighteen styles from all around China to come to Shaolin and exchange techniques, and based on the style of Wu quan (Five fists) developed by the monk Qiuyue (Autumn Moon), Shaolin Fierce Tiger boxing was created by adding techniques from each of the different styles of martial arts. It is separated into three routines, for a total of 69 postures. Characteristics of Menghu quan include rushing in, jumping, continuous striking, and fierce pursuit. Not only does it utilize the hands and feet, it also makes use of the hips, elbows, head, and buttocks; it can be said the "Shaolin gongfu uses the whole body to enter and strike".

The song of Menghu quan (my best shot at a translation):
The fierce tiger descends the mountain and first stretches his claws,
Roaring loudly, he returns up the mountain.
Springing, he leaps from a precipice and lands among the grasses,
All around, packs of wild animals flee at his approach.
Rushing, clawing, raking, tearing, he gobbles up the wolf and the leopard,
Even the fierce lion runs far away when he is around.
Leaping and turning in one split second,
He crushes stones and smashes boulders, all the while roaring.
Hurdling, grasping his prey, kicking, standing on tiptoes and leaping,
Wildcats also fling away their small chickens (??).
His claws are like sharp spears, his rear legs are like shackles,
His body is like a "weici" (some kind of weapon?), his feet are like knives.
The 69 postures are like a poison arrow, their moves are like dense rain, like a cannon.
This is Shaolin Fierce Tiger Boxing, when you perfect this skill you can catch the immortals themselves.

[buddhapalm]

Very nice Beiquan, very nice.

Thanks

Buddhapalm

[r.(shaolin)]

--------
Fierce Tiger Boxing was created in the Song dynasty by the monk Fuju (Dwells in Blessings). After inviting martial experts in the eighteen styles [not sure which this is referring to] from all around China to come to Shaolin and exchange techniques, he based this routine on the style of Wu quan (Five fists) developed by the monk Qiuyue (Autumn Moon), and added techniques from each of the different styles of martial arts. . . .
----------
Hi Beiquan
First of all I am assuming the Wu quan and Wu Xing Quan are one and the same.
Do you know the source Deqian used for the above?
The name "Fuju" and the Song Dynasty date are questionable. Fuyu is and Faju, both famous Shaolin monks, are sometimes confused with each other. One lived during the founding and early years of the Yuan Dynasty the other lived about 600 years earlier during the Tang dynasty.
Although I've also seen the name Fuju listed as a Shaolin Abbot that lived time during 900. That would place Bai Yufeng in the Tang Dyansty or early Northern Song if he was around before this. :-))))

In the tradition of Shaolin I practice Bai Yufeng’s ordination name is said to be Yiching not
Qiu yue, this is why I’m interested in Deqian’s source. I’m also interested in the timing between alleged compilaton of the 18 style and Bai Yufeng. I find that placing Bai Yufeng before Fuyu interesting. Possibly you can help me.

ps. we place Bai Yufeng in sometime in the late Yuan or early Ming.

kind regards,
r

[South Paw]

I see that two of the four Hung Gar pillars are mentioned:
“Gong” Character Crouching Tiger Boxing (Gongzi fuhe quan), better known as Gung Gee Fok Fu Kuen.
Tiger and Crane Boxing (Huhe quan), known as Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen.

Can you tell me some more about these forms as listed in the book?

[beiquan]

r -
you're right, i misread the text; see my post below:
I don't know what Deqian's sources are; considering that this information does not appear in more mainstream Buddhist records, I would guess that he has access to records kept at Shaolin itself.
Fuju's bio appears in the encyclopedia, see below. He is the abbot that lived during the 10th century that you mentioned.

Fuju:
The Dharma Teacher Fuju was a man of high virtue and principle; he was equally versed in the studies of Buddhism, martial arts, medicine, and literature, and his name was well-known all around (i love the imagery in this statement, which literally states that "his fame shook the four directions"). As abbot of Shaolin during the rule of Taizu in the N. Song dynasty (around 961 AD), he invited specialists in all of the eighteen styles of martial arts from around China to come to Shaolin and exchange techniques. Finally, he incorporated all of these techniques and wrote a book, editing and correcting the set of Shaolin boxing songs, which survive to the present. The wondrous properties of the various 18 styles have been summarized as follows: "As for palm-work, one must begin with the hands of Taizu's Changquan; the Tongbi style of Han Tong is marvelous; Zheng En's entangling and sealing is especially wondrous; Wen Tian's short boxing is quite special; Ma Ji's short strikes are the finest; Kong Heng's Monkey boxing is also grand (i'm running out of laudatory words to use here...); Huang Hu's leaning body is difficult to advance on; Jin Sheng's face palm flies quickly; Jin Ji's knocks and penetrating fists; Liu Xing's hooks entrap and seize the hands; Tan Fang's rolls thunderously penetrate the ears; Yan Qing's sticky palms and leaping steps; Lin Chong's mandarin duck kicks; Fierce Tiger's seven postures and connected palms; Cui Lian's Pao Chui; Yang Gun's tying hands capture and enter directly; Wang Lang's praying mantis counters the enemy; Gao Huaide's throws firmly crush... As for short strikes and long boxing, they were originally compiled by Chan Master Fuju." (sorry not my best translation here...)

Qiuyue (no dates given, but he is listed under the Song monks):
Qiuyue's original name was Bai Yufeng; he was a man of Taiyuan in Shanxi. He came from a wealthy family, and loved to practice martial arts. He was not particularly tall, yet his refined, sharp qi was overwhelming. When he was fifty, he was still unusually fit and strong. He was well-versed in qigong, and skilled in striking and swordplay. He traveled all around and taught martial arts to his students. Later, he traveled to Shaolin with Li Sao and Jueyuan (active during the late Song); every day he would practice Shaolin martial arts with Jueyuan. He wrote "Wuquan jingyao" (Essentials of the Five Fists), which combined and perfected the skills of the five fists of tiger, leopard, snake, crane and dragon, and their specialties of hand, feet, body, eye, and footwork. Living at Shaolin, Bai not only refined and transmitted his ten years of martial experience; he also corrected all of the forms that were practiced by the monks. At the same time, he supplemented some forms with certain techniques, improving them greatly; such as Luohan 18 hands, Walking Dragon Sword, Black Tiger Fist, Five Harmony Fists, etc.... sorry I don't have time to translate the rest but it's along the same lines.

bq

[beiquan]

my bad! i seem to have misread these entries. The encyclopedia doesn't state that Fuju created Menghu quan or Wuxing bafa quan, rather that Fuju's bringing together of the 18 styles, and then Bai Yufeng's creation of Wuxing quan were the two events that laid the foundation for these styles; in fact it doesn't attribute their creation to anyone (if i'm reading this correctly, which i hope i am). although, strangely, in the list of the 18 styles under Fuju's bio that I posted above, Menghu quan is already listed. i'm confused...

[GeneChing]

Funny you should ask this because I asked Deqian point blank about this a few weeks ago. According to him, one of the monks made extensive hand written copies of many of the important books in the Shaolin library prior to the big fire in 1928. He was fairly old when he passed them to Deqian, and instructed him to organize and publish it all. 67 books later, Deqian has done just that. Now Deqian is working on a Shaolin Wuxia novel, loosely based on legend. But he is done with the research - he has published it all now.