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Chen Bo 871-989a.d., also known under his pen-name of Chen Tu Nan, was a renowned Taoist from Bo-zhou City in Anhui Province, China. In his youth Chen displayed a great ability at mathematics and interpreting the Yi Jing (Book of Changes). During the Tang Dynasty, Chen Bo began scholarly studies to become an official in service of the Emperors. Chen was said to have failed the examinations, and left to travel in search of truth and meaning. From that time on he traveled and spent time with many great masters such as Lu Dong Bin (one of the eight immortals) and Ma Yi, and was in succession of a group called Yin Xian Pai, the Sect of Hidden Immortals. One day he was advised by another Taoist to go to Wudang where he entered the Rock of Nine Rooms to practice breathing and cultivating the Tao. After 20 years at Wudang, Chen traveled to "Hua Yue" (Hua Mountains) to live in solitude.

Chen spent a lot of time with the Emperors during China’s “5 Dynasties 10 Kingdoms Era” 907-960a.d., often advising them in various matters. In 956a.d. he was called to court by Emperor Zhou Shi Zong 954-959a.d. who thought Chen desired the kingdom, and so had Chen imprisoned for 100 days. When the Emperor asked the guard about Chen’s condition the guard reported that Chen was fast asleep. He then realized that Chen had no desire for power and released him requesting that Chen stay as his advisor. Chen answered his questions on alchemy and gave him spiritual advice, but soon departed to live in solitude. The Emperor gave him the name Bai Yun Xian Sheng, meaning "gentleman of the white clouds".

In 960a.d. Chen met with to be Emperor Song Tai Zu 997-1022a.d. becoming his martial advisor, and additionally taught him the Taiji Ruler. Tai Zu went on to create the famous martial style Tai Zu Chang Chuan, meaning "Emperors Long Fist". Though Chen was not interested he decided to play a game of chess with the Emperor and leave it to fate. Upon winning the match Chen announced his decision to depart and return to the Hua Mountains.

In 984a.d. the Emperor Song Tai Zong 976-997a.d. (Tai Zu's younger brother) called upon Chen and treated him with great admiration. He requested Chen to help nominate his heir, and Chen without hesitation chose (Song) Zhen Zong, who did come to succeed the throne from 997-1022a.d. Thoroughly impressed by Chen's knowledge and expertise the Emperor gave Chen the name "Xi Yi" (Xi is what cannot be heard; Yi is what cannot be seen).

He died in 989a.d. at the advanced age of 118 years in Zhao Chao Valley under the Lotus Peak.

Chen Xi Yi is a very famous figure in Chinese history. His advanced theories on philosophical Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism were all incorporated into his inner alchemic formulas as can be found in his works and teachings. Chen Xi Yi is credited with the creation of Liuhebafa, 24 Section Daoyin Qigong Method, Sleep Qigong Method, and the Taiji Ruler. He also authored many poems and books, one of which was called Fengjian (Mirror of Auras) which was a manual on Physiognomy, a type of fortune telling based on Yin Yang, 5 Phases, and the 8 Trigrams of the Yi Jing.

One student of Chen Xi Yi's teachings was the Taoist Huo Lung, who was the teacher of Zhang San Feng, the legendary founder of Taiji. And yet another relation to Zhang is the Emperor Tai Zu, who was martially advised by Chen and developed "Tai Zu Chang Chuan", the "Emperors Long Fist Style". Zhang San Feng purportedly learned this and based his creation of Taiji Chuan from it.

Additionally, Chen Xi Yi is said by some to have been the creator of the "Tong Bei" principle, meaning "through the back", which the style Tong Bei Chuan was developed from. Many lineages of Tong Bei Chuan still hold Chen Xi Yi as their founder.


Chen Xi Yi’s successor by chance was the Taoist Li Dong Feng. As the story goes Li was climbing Mount Hua when he came across the cave of Chen Xi Yi. Inside he found the remains of the late Taoist and his manuscripts. The manuscripts that Li had found were a detailed analysis of body mechanics and principles of internal motion, among which was the 6 Harmonies and 8 Methods, and the 5 Hearts internal principle. They were in essence detailed blueprints on an ancient internal way. Li spent his lifetime understanding Chens works and eventually consolidated them into a physical form that he named Zhu Ji, meaning “Discover the Foundations”, with its accompanying practice called Wei Tuo Gong. Wei Tuo Gong, named after one of eight deities that protect Buddhism, is the method of developing Wu Zong Jiu Jie Li and properly referred to as "Internal Mechanism Meditation"!

Li further contributed to the art authoring several pieces of literature. The most well known of his writings is Chuan Xue Wu Zi Jue, meaning "5 Character Secret of Martial Study", which contains profound knowledge pertaining to Liuhebafa and the internal martial arts in general.

  • Verse 89 : Hua Yue Xi Yi Men - Chen Xi Yi's art from Hua Mountain
    L    i named the style "Hua Yue Xi Yi Men" (Chen Xi Yi's art from Hua Mountain) so that later generations would always remember the styles founder and where it originated.
  • Verse 81 : Yuan Gen Zhu Ji Fa - The origin is the way of Zhu Ji
    The practice of Zhu Ji (Discovering the Foundations) is the embodiment of the 6 Harmonies and 8 Methods. Li reminds practitioners of this when he wrote "Yuan Gen Zhu Ji Fa" (The origin is the way of Zhu Ji).
  • Verse 68 : Wu Zong Jiu Jie Li - Force of the 5 Hearts and 9 Joints
    Significantly placed at the very middle of Li's poem "Wu Zong Jiu Jie Li" (5 Hearts 9 Joints Power) is the defining source of Liuhebafa's internal force, and brings to life the 6 Harmonies and 8 Methods.

Unfortunately, perhaps, his writings cannot be accurately translated in full as the meanings depend entirely on ones comprehension and interpretation of the art and its methods. As ones progression in the internal arts is infinite their understanding of the art constantly changes and deepens.
liuhebafa starts with the heart
intent is the source of the supreme within
comfort with nothingness will move the stillness
stillness cultivates the breath and mixes it with the essence
essence intersects with life
circulation must reach to the crown
hard and soft advances and recedes with will
impatience arouses disharmony of physical motion
come and go in the same direction to refine yin and yang
continual deepening brings new levels of understanding
Zhu Ji cultivates the spirit without desire
study to achieve this method within your lifetime
obtain what is natural regardless of the obstacles
self-interest serves the universe becoming outer shape and inner spirit
realization of desire shows the origin of shape is formless
to separate from nothing you must first become one with it
"Song of 6 Harmonies and 8 Methods" written by Li Dong Feng. As stated above accurate translations of Li Dong Feng's works is difficult and depends on ones understandings of the art.

It was said that Li Dong Feng taught Liuhebafa to a small group of taoists who trained together and maintained the teachings, though all but the name of Li's successor Song Yuan Tong have been lost from history. Not much is known about the generations that preceded Li Dong Feng, however there are several individuals worth mentioning:

Wang De Wei
            Wang was a villager of Xian Yang in Shaanxi Province. He took Liuhebafa as a highly combative style making the style known to martial scholars through his matches. Wang changed the name of the style from Liuhebafa to Shui Chuan, meaning “Water Boxing”. People today say that Liuhebafa was originally called Water Boxing, unknowing that it was this lesser known practitioner who made the contribution.

Yang Jing Qun
            Yang was from Fang Shan. He originally practiced Liuhebafa as a form of health practice under the name of Xin Yi Liu He Yi Bing, meaning “Cure of the Intent and Six Harmonies”. Later, he changed the name calling it Xian Tian Shi Er Shi, meaning "Pre-heaven 12 Spirits". This is the first reference in the styles history to the 12 Spirits, perhaps suggesting that he was the originator.

Chen Guang Di
            Chen was from Guang Ping in Hebei Province.

The contributions of these individuals are still remembered earning them a place in Liuhebafa's history. But with out a doubt the most important person in Liuhebafa’s history is none other than Wu Yi Hui, who was the first successor to open Liuhebafa to the public.

ON TO HISTORY PART TWO (coming soon)

 

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