Baji’s Jin Gang Ba Shi: Origins and Skills

All traditional Chinese martial arts systems contain foundational skills that form the core of the art. In Baji Quan, these basic skills are honed through the practice of Jin Gang Ba Shi. Jin Gang is often translated as Buddha Warrior Attendant (see the post on Jin Gang in Chinese Martial Arts).

Origins of Jin Gang Ba Shi in Baji Quan

It is well known that Baji Quan originated with Wu Zhong (吴钟 1732-1822) who was born in Houzhuangke Village, Qingyun County, Shandong Province, and was a Hui Zu (belonged to the Chinese Muslim ethnic group), as were many Baji Quan descendants.

Originally, Jin Gang Ba Shi was not part of the Baji curriculum. It was not until the 4^th Generation Baji Quan master, Zhang Jingxing (张景星 1843-1924), obtained the Shaolin Jin Gang Ba Shi from the renowned Li Ruidong (李瑞東 1851-1917), after they became sworn brothers and exchanged skills. Later, Zhang Jingxing adapted and modified the skills he learned from Li Ruidong according to the characteristics of Baji Quan.

Jin Gang Ba Shi in Shaolin Martial Arts

Shaolin martial arts contain Jin Gang Ba Shi. These Eight Skills are practiced individually on the left and right side, just as they are practiced in Baji Quan. The skills include foot stomping and the energetic execution of techniques that are similar to those in Baji. However, the Shaolin Jin Gang Ba Shi has become rare and should not be confused with Shaolin Jin Gang of which there are many different routines.

It is worth noting that incorporating a skill derived from Shaolin teachers who were adherents of Chan (Buddhism), into a system widely practiced by Hui people would be considered highly inappropriate if not sinful. In researching the background of Zhang Jingxing and his father, Zhang Keming (张克明1812-1882), were Chinese Muslims. Luotuan Village, where they were born and practiced their martial arts, was at that time part of Zhili Province. This is now Hebei Province, and the area of Luotuan has been designated as Mengcun Hui Autonomous Region due to the many Chinese Muslims who reside there.

Jin Gang Ba Shi in the 20^th Century and Beyond

One of the most famous figures in the modern Baji era was Li Shuwen (李書文1864-1934). He first learned Baji Quan from Huang Sihai (黄四海1829-1914). Huang later introduced him to Zhang Jingxing, from whom Li Shuwen learned Jin Gang Ba Shi, which he later modified so that it could be taught to the army.

Among Li Shuwen’s famous disciples was Liu Yunqiao (劉雲樵 1909-1992), who brought Baji Quan to Taiwan after the fall of the Kuomintang (Guomintang) in 1948. Liu Yunqiao made further modifications to Jin Gang Ba Shi. Through his teachings, and those of his disciples, Baji Quan spread to the West and thus countless people have been able to learn the skills of Jin Gang Ba Shi.

A word on Ba Da Zhao (八大招)

Some exponents of Baji Quan, especially the Mengcun Baji Quan practitioners, refer to Jin Gang Ba Shi as Ba Da Zhao (八大招), or Eight Big Movements (I prefer Eight Major Movements). This might be due to the fact that they are Chinese Muslims and practicing a skill that references the “Buddha Warrior Attendant” it would not be considered appropriate to use the term.

When, and for what precise reason, did many exponents of Baji Quan start using Ba Da Zhao to refer to the Jin Gang Ba Shi skills, it is difficult to say with certainty. There is no right or wrong here, so it is best to keep an open mind.

The Skills of Jin Gang Ba Shi

Jin Gang Ba Shi contains eight techniques that are trained on both the left and right side. They are foundational skills in Baji Quan that must be practiced diligently if one is to make strides in the art.

Following is the list of movements for the Jin Gang Ba Shi skills as taught to me by Tony Yang (楊曉東 1950- Yang Xiaodong) who first learned Baji Quan from Su Yuzhang (蘇昱彰, 1940-2019) and later became a disciple of Liu Yunqiao.

The order of the movements, and some of the names for each section, may differ among the various schools.

1 – Chong Chui (衝捶) – Colliding Punch
2 – Yíng Mian Zhang (迎面掌) – Face Crossing Palm
3 – Xiang Long (降龍) – Subduing the Dragon   
4 – Fu Hu (伏虎) – Taming the Tiger
5 – Pi Zhang (劈掌) – Chopping Palm
6 – Tan Ma (探馬) – Probing the Horse
7 – Quan Chui (圈捶) – Circle Hammer  
8 – Hu Bao (虎抱) – Tiger Embrace

Following is the list of movements for Ba Da Zhao as provided by Jason Tsou who was also a disciple of Liu Yunqiao.

1 – Chong Chui (衝捶) – Colliding Punch  
2 – Ying Mian Zhang (迎面掌) – Face Crossing Palm
3 – Xiang Long (降龍) – Subduing the Dragon 
4 – Fu Hu (伏虎) – Taming the Tiger
5 – Hu Bao (虎抱) – Tiger Embrace
6 – Tan Ma (探馬) – Probing the Horse
7 – Quan Zhang (圈掌) – Circle Palm
8 – Pi Zhang (劈掌) – Chopping Palm

Note that while the order of the movements in the second list is slightly different, only the Qi Lu, or 7th row, varies from Circle Hammer to Circle Palm.