What hall in the Shaolin Temple....

[Djuan]

....is this particular mural????

the exact name of the hall its in

[Djuan]

Its in "Baiyi Hall" (need translation if Im wrong and meaningg if I'm right.) since no reply, I'm gonna make this wall the center of my research, because the paintings and the writings have been poorly explained at least from where I am here in the US. I know in China, within or around the temple, some one knows this story better than I've been told. If its just monks practicing "Dulian", then whats with the order and arrangement of the writing and postures?

just look at it, some of you who speak/read traditional Chinese VERY WELL, please help if you can, this is the first time I've seen the writing up close and I'd like to know what it says, and maybe that will help with why and where it's placed. thanks again!

Amituofo!

[Djuan]

was at my desk watching a boring lecture for school and started reading an old book on my shelf called "Shaolin Kung-Fu" , to give an idea of how old, it was compiled in 1990. Shifu Shi Yang Ming is highlighted throughout the book with a thick black mustache.

inside the book shows nice pictures of Baiyi Hall and translates it as "White Garment Hall" , and has close ups of the "Zhèngtǐzì" that I cant translate.





if anyone has translations, and more info on this hall of Shaolin, if you dont mind, please share!
Amituofo

[Djuan]

Only word I can read is Buddha

[GeneChing]

You should really check out my book, Djuan. I break down all the major halls of Shaolin, their names, their meanings, what they contain and how they figure into Chinese temple Feng Shui.



Shaolin Trips Book And DVD Combo

[Djuan]

You should really check out my book, Djuan. I break down all the major halls of Shaolin, their names, their meanings, what they contain and how they figure into Chinese temple Feng Shui.



Shaolin Trips Book And DVD Combo

Got it! Doing another book run in soon while and I already had this one on my list! & I can only imagine I know its loaded !
Amituofo!

[Djuan]

Love You Gene thankyou!
Amituofo

[David Jamieson]

white robe hall

[GeneChing]

Love You Gene thankyou!
Amituofo

Extra points for taking this pic on your keyboard.

[Djuan]

Extra points for taking this pic on your keyboard.

Its a great transmission though I have just started the journey. Being able to read this book at this point in my life means a lot, more than I can express here, so I'll try not to ramble. Just know I am thankful for your efforts in being a griot and preserver of the truth, spiritually, historically, culturally and artistically. You accomplish this without stepping on peoples minds or hearts or any of their personal pre-arranged (spiritual,cultural,historical,artistic) attachments. So everyone interested in kung fu, yet especially Shaolin GungFu can get into your book, and extract more than a wealth of experience from you, depending on their understanding.

Personally, reading the book, makes me feel like your distant disciple. Thats all I can say for now. I know you have your humility to keep in tact and you dont accept students or disciples in that way, then I would have to say you are my spirit animal lol at least. Your journey is one I've been in tune with and walking, just in another way. As far as going to Shaolin, I realized, most, if not all of the links I made to Shaolin in the past, hunting down schools, monks, books, robes, arms, shoes, socks, patches and pins, to the point, all were through your work. Meaning I learned the names of whos who, whats what, and wheres where, while I was just a kid dreaming of finding the 'real' Shaolin Quanfa. I got the run around, and spent a lot of time searching because I learned what to look for through WLE and KFTCM. The links you made went further than the magazines and catalogs.

The dvd is a another gem, that honestly, was just a gift man. lol you are too generous. Those masters you included (mind you I was aware of other performers, from the sound of the arms in the background, meaning you included the masters only, and didnt film the whole floor. Thanks for that as well as the volume increase for the foot slaps from the masters, pushing 80 ready to kick the noggin of a kungfu hater anyday!) .....back to the sentence lol, the Masters, specifically Baji Quan & BaguaZhang, were such a great blessing to watch. I'll just say that, to have that on dvd is such a jewel. the speed of "taking a step" I think its called (扣步 摆步) was so dope to see performed in that way, made me want to learn some Bagua right now. lol or at least that technique, to add to my SanShou arsenal.
I could keep rambling I have to stop myself, thats what I mean though, you offer so much, to a kung fu head, we can pick parts for eternity studying a page of yours, or a small segment of a film of yours. I have to give you your credit.
People try so hard to tear down Shaolin, or anything true for that matter, and try to replace it with microwave crap, I'm glad you preserve the essence and give a clear perspective of all sides. I have to say I agree with Shi De Cheng, that Shaolin is a Temple first, and a Ch'an Temple, THE Ch'an Temple in my eyes, so the goal will always be to spread Ch'an and the teaching of Buddha.
Though I have just gotten into the book, in general I always get Chanwuyi from you, even in esoteric and metaphysical forms, wether you do it on purpose or you do it naturally on purpose either way, I feel the medicine.

Amituofo

[GeneChing]

I'm taking the liberty of copying your comment above from your What hall in the Shaolin Temple.... thread to my Shaolin Trips by Gene Ching thread, just to ttt that.

Its a great transmission though I have just started the journey. Being able to read this book at this point in my life means a lot, more than I can express here, so I'll try not to ramble. Just know I am thankful for your efforts in being a griot and preserver of the truth, spiritually, historically, culturally and artistically. You accomplish this without stepping on peoples minds or hearts or any of their personal pre-arranged (spiritual,cultural,historical,artistic) attachments. So everyone interested in kung fu, yet especially Shaolin GungFu can get into your book, and extract more than a wealth of experience from you, depending on their understanding.

Personally, reading the book, makes me feel like your distant disciple. Thats all I can say for now. I know you have your humility to keep in tact and you dont accept students or disciples in that way, then I would have to say you are my spirit animal lol at least. Your journey is one I've been in tune with and walking, just in another way. As far as going to Shaolin, I realized, most, if not all of the links I made to Shaolin in the past, hunting down schools, monks, books, robes, arms, shoes, socks, patches and pins, to the point, all were through your work. Meaning I learned the names of whos who, whats what, and wheres where, while I was just a kid dreaming of finding the 'real' Shaolin Quanfa. I got the run around, and spent a lot of time searching because I learned what to look for through WLE and KFTCM. The links you made went further than the magazines and catalogs.

The dvd is a another gem, that honestly, was just a gift man. lol you are too generous. Those masters you included (mind you I was aware of other performers, from the sound of the arms in the background, meaning you included the masters only, and didnt film the whole floor. Thanks for that as well as the volume increase for the foot slaps from the masters, pushing 80 ready to kick the noggin of a kungfu hater anyday!) .....back to the sentence lol, the Masters, specifically Baji Quan & BaguaZhang, were such a great blessing to watch. I'll just say that, to have that on dvd is such a jewel. the speed of "taking a step" I think its called (扣步 摆步) was so dope to see performed in that way, made me want to learn some Bagua right now. lol or at least that technique, to add to my SanShou arsenal.
I could keep rambling I have to stop myself, thats what I mean though, you offer so much, to a kung fu head, we can pick parts for eternity studying a page of yours, or a small segment of a film of yours. I have to give you your credit.
People try so hard to tear down Shaolin, or anything true for that matter, and try to replace it with microwave crap, I'm glad you preserve the essence and give a clear perspective of all sides. I have to say I agree with Shi De Cheng, that Shaolin is a Temple first, and a Ch'an Temple, THE Ch'an Temple in my eyes, so the goal will always be to spread Ch'an and the teaching of Buddha.
Though I have just gotten into the book, in general I always get Chanwuyi from you, even in esoteric and metaphysical forms, wether you do it on purpose or you do it naturally on purpose either way, I feel the medicine.

Amituofo

It's very gratifying to hear my book and dvd resonnated with you. I have yet to take on any disciples. I've been asked a few times, but it just doesn't feel right for me at this point in my life, but I'm very flattered by it.

I look forward to meeting you in the flesh someday, Djuan.

amitoufo.

[Djuan]

AMITUOFO

So happy with the work you do Gene, its been a guide since my youngest steps toward Shaolin. My compass has to be tuned to it, some how, because looking back to 1999 thru 2002 when I started reading Kung Fu Taichi magazine (which at the time might have been KungFu Qigong magazine) there were other martial art publications on the shelf, I grabbed your magazines only.
Also would look for Shaolin books, I subscribed to Wing Lam's catalog though, I bought YangJwing Mings Shaolin Long Fist book, and Sifu Wing Lam Moi Fah (plumb flower boxing) books, although I was looking for Songshan Shaolin literature, the covers to these two books really stood out.

When I returned to this site and looking into the magazines, I was ordering back issues. I still had many unanswered questions, one of them being in this thread. Looking back, its a pretty basic question, yet its also a major question in terms of links in the Shaolin chain of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Also martial art culture preservation in Shaolin, and the alignment of Chan.

Gene, you recommended your book, and it is a worthy read to say the least, a wealth of insight, and Im thankful for it.
You point out in chapter 5 ("An Ancient Tree With Twisted Roots"), on page 109, the aforementioned hall of Shaolin temple in question in this thread "White Garment Hall", home to "Shaolin's most famous frescoes", as you put it.

To bring it together with this thread, there are reasons this hall, and its frescoes would stand out to a practitioner of any aspect of Shaolin kungfu , boxing ,wushu, quanfa, wugong etc....whatever the preferred expression, as this hall illustrates out right, some of the most profound art depicting Shaolin quanfa on the planet. The detail, hand postures, facial expressions, robes, and geometric layout, weave together a moment in time, a time capsule if you will, with more than an academy's worth of learning in it.

When I asked about it in this thread, I had no idea to the extent of the answer. Today, 5 years after posting this thread, Im still learning the teachings of White Garment hall. Also called Chuiputang (Hammer Manual Hall) , as you point out in a 2005 issue of KungFu Tai Chi Magazine.


Shaolin is most beautiful without adding complexity. Its complex enough without adding mystery. Its mysterious enough without adding confusion. It will only confuse the impatient, the greedy, the arrogant, and the ignorant (those who ignore knowledge).
The suggestions in Shaolin are so subtle yet obvious. A lifetime, a forever time of study and practice.

What is the meaning of Chui Pu Tang, What is the meaning of Bai Yi Dian....

Albeit, not using a quan or shou (fist or hand) , using a hammer . There it is, movement, power, and purpose.
The movement is preserved in stillness, a timeless still image.
yet the hammer is clothed in compassion. To find it, you will have to face GuanYin. Balance and Equanimity.
..................................

Much love and thanks Gene!
Amituofo