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This stele was added to the grave of Dong Haichuan, the founder of baguazhang. Yin Fu, his first disciple, was responsible for funding the stele. It was erected in 1904 at Dong’s tomb near the Red Bridge at the East Gate in Beijing.
Transcription of the Second Stele erected at Dong Haichuan’s tomb in 1904
Immortal memories
Tomb of Ancestor Dong originated from Wen An
Fame and great achievement, many people seek them; unfortunately most of them will not achieve their goals. Our master {Dong Haichuan] followed the path of the greatest. From self-teaching and hard work he succeeded in transforming himself, it takes time to build a reputation and his life was exemplary. Dong Haichuan from Wen An was naturally gifted with a lot of strength. During his childhood he learned and practiced intensively martial arts and this was well known in his village. Becoming an adult, he wanted to refine his martial skills, so that he decided to visit friends in Hunan Province, during his trip he became lost in the mountains. At a bad point, he realized that he was totally lost and nothing to eat, he then noticed that someone on top of the mountain motioned their hand towards him. Upon reaching the top of the mountain, this man said, “I was waiting for you for a long time.” They then followed a rocky road up the mountain to a strange monastery, which appeared to be deserted. Once inside, he passed through many halls before finally reaching one in which there was a man dressed in Daoist robes. The man had the face of a child and white hair. He asked Dong, “Why are you long in coming?” From his martial practices, Dong was familiar with mental control, but all he was to learn at the monastery would be completely different. Dong stayed there for a long-time until the day that he was told, “It is time for you to leave us, you have finished your studies.” As he was leaving, Dong looked back at the monastery, but it had disappeared in the fog and clouds. Dong’s love of Martial Arts moved the heart of divinities. During the time at the monastery, everyone from Dong’s village thought that he was dead. Afterwards, he was considered to be gifted with extraordinary strength and to have inherited his martial skills from the immortals. No one could defeat him. Later he worked for the government as a second rank officer. He lived in the capital. With a calm temperament, reserved for his own opinions, he was highly appreciated for his exceptional skills. Hundreds of high rank officials and important businessmen visited him. Now his reputation is still growing even so many years after his death. His martial arts school is prosperous and anyone can remember his achievements. May this be engraved on this stone.
Salutations from his disciples..
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