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The above table shows that the 1813 birth year is more plausible when compared to the known life events of Haichuan. It is possible that he entered service with the Imperial Family at the age of fifty-eight, but it seems unlikely. Likewise, given the fact that in the late 1860-s he and Yin Fu were sent to Mongolia to serve as tax collectors. This would have been better suited for a man in his fifties, not one in their late sixties. Additionally, in an article printed in 1932 by the Beijing Sports Monthly, stated that Dong Haichuan was about sixty-six years of age at the time of his death in 1882. Examination of the known facts points to the earlier date being correct. Note that the noted Chinese martial scholar, Professor K’ang Ko-Wu, determined the same conclusion.
The Early Years
It is documented that Dong Haichuan was elusive when questioned about where he learned his art, giving vague and unclear answers. Basically, he is reported to have never publicly discussed where, and from whom, he learned his martial skills. There are stories that have been passed down among the various bagua lineages that provide some details on his early life and training experiences. Liu Shichang, a senior student of the late Dr. Xie Peiqi, states that when Dong Haichuan was in his early twenties he studied Luohan Quan in the village of his birth, becoming rather proficient in the system. He also enjoyed gambling and through this pastime, he eventually had a run in with the local bully. That encounter ended with Dong defeating the ruffian, but with a threat that he would eventually return for vengeance. Dong’s father was against him gambling and fighting and forbid him to return to the gambling house. Dong obeyed his father for a period of time, but one day the temptation got the better of him and he stopped to gamble once again. Learning that his son was disobeying his wishes, his father hurried to the gambling house to stop him. Sneaking up behind Dong, with the intent on slapping him on the head, the father was mistaken for the bully that promised to return for vengeance. Dong leaned forward and threw a kick that knocked his father flat on his back. Enraged, the father denounced Dong as his son and dis-owned him on the spot. With the assistance of an uncle, Dong left the village in dishonor.
After a period of time of performing martial art feats on the street to earn money, he heard of two highly skilled martial monks that lived in the mountains in Jiangxi. One was a Daoist and the other was a Buddhist. That was enough to send him on a quest to find them, which took him deep into the mountains. He searched for them until the point that he became lost. He was alone and homesick. Dong noticed that down the mountain there were a temple and two monks. Not knowing the proper etiquette when meeting teachers of this caliber, he ran down the mountain and threw himself to the ground. The two monks ignored him for a while, but eventually approached him and asked what he was doing. He told them why he had come and how he was lost while searching for them. The two monks conferred for a moment and decided that they would both accept him as a disciple.
His initial training consisted of hand milling millet and mung beans. He was ordered to collect firewood and carry it back to the temple, not by shouldering the load, but by carrying it with his arms extended in manner similar to a fighting position. This he did for over a year before the Daoist monk taught him to walk around a tree in a circle. He was instructed to walk around the tree while holding his arms in the penetrating palm posture. The Daoist told him, “When the tree follows you, then your gong fu will be correct.” This meant that he must learn to walk around the tree correctly, but rapidly. The old Daoist and Buddhist would take shifts to secretly watch him to insure that he was turning as directed. After three years of this training, the two monks decided that Dong was of worth. At that point, they started teaching him the eight animal systems. He learned the Lion, Snake, Bear, Dragon, Phoenix, Rooster, Unicorn, and Monkey fighting systems and developed a high level of skill. Haichuan spent fifteen years at the mountain temple as a disciple of the two monks. During that time, not only did he learn the basis of what eventually would be called baguazhang, but also he studied ancient philosophical texts and Neigong practices. He worked to improve himself by gaining insight into both the Daoist and Buddhist paths. After the completion of his training, the two monks sent him from the temple to establish a school of inner and outer cultivation in the methods that he had learned. It is estimated that Dong Haichuan was between thirty-five and forty years of age when he left the two monks and set out for Beijing.
Service with the Imperial Family
Upon arrival to Beijing, Haichuan eventually gained employment as a servant in the palace of Prince Su of the Imperial Family. He worked his way up to the position of guard and eventually earned the position of trainer of the Imperial Guard. The exact manner that he gained those positions is unknown, but there are stories that suggest that while working as a servant, Dong was bringing some teacups to guests at a party at the Prince’s palace. The crowd was large and guests, servants, and guards filled the room. Dong, while carrying the teacups, moved through the crowd in a fluid and graceful manner that caught the attention of Prince Su. The prince inquired if Haichuan had studied martial arts, due to his observed movements. Stating that he had, the Prince suggested a match with one of the guards that happened to be a highly skilled martial artist. Dong’s superiority was quickly apparent and he easily defeated the man. Prince Su, being greatly impressed with his abilities, promoted him to Chief Instructor of the Imperial Guard. This is a story common in the volumes of Dong Haichuan legends, but its authenticity is doubtful. There are exercises in baguazhang that supposedly mimic the manner that Haichuan handled the teacups, as mentioned in the above story, which may add some validity.
Another version of this story states that Prince Su had a great fondness of the martial arts. During a large festival at his palace, he would bring in various martial artists to demonstrate their abilities to the crowd. On one occasion, he ordered the Chief Instructor of his personal guard, Sha Huihui, to demonstrate his skills. The performance drew a long applause from the audience. Basking the warmth of the crowd’s acceptance, Sha issued an open challenge to anyone present. No one dared to accept the challenge except one of the servants, Dong Haichuan. After a few moments, Dong struck Sha Huihui with a powerful sweeping movement and knocked him several feet to the floor. Everyone was taken back by Dong’s display of martial prowess, most of all being Prince Su. He was so impressed with the servant’s abilities that he later promoted Haichuan to Chief Instructor to his bodyguards. It is not known how long that Haichuan worked as a servant in Prince Su’s staff, but it is generally accepted that he gained the position of Chief Instructor in the 1850’s. Which of the stories is correct, if either, is not known.
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