Shaolin Special 2007 B

[richard sloan]

speaking of 'firsts' in the us I am surprised you guys never did anything on Shi Yan Chang, Gene.

[r.(shaolin)]

With all the glowing reports I ran out this morning a picked up Kungfu Magazine 2007 November/December.

Re: Featured Weapon, "Three-Pronged Double-Edged Blade"
In the novel "Journey to the West " this weapon is called San Jian Liang Ren Dao (Chin.:三尖两刃刀) Three-Point Double-Blade Knife.
According to the legends of our tradition at Shaolin this weapon was called: Fang Tian Ji (Chin.: 方天戟) or "Four Directions Heaven lance" In ancient times the Fang Tian Lance was considered a sacred weapon. In the book Feng Shen Bang (Canonization by the Gods) a divine general named Yang Jian (Chin.: 杨戬), also called Er Lang Shen (Chin.: 二郎神), used this weapon. This mythical weapon could be extended or shortened at will. Extended, one could use it as a ruler to measure the universe and heavens. It is said that General Er Lang Shen, the Heavenly Being, had three eyes that enabled him to see all things. Chinese myths portray Erlang Shen, as a powerful god who has a magical third eye in the middle of his forehead that sees truth. Er Lang Shen was also able to use his eyes as a weapon. In Buddhism he is considered a protective deity and the second son of the Northern Heavenly King Vaishravana.
The legend continues and says that a military officer named Xiguan asked the monks of Shaolin Monastery to study the weapon and make improvements so that these skills could be passed on to future generations. Since that time beginners practice Fang Tian Lance with their eyes closed.

I found the version of the weapon in the article interesting in that it has a coin shape on the blade as well as the 4 petaled hand guard. You will note that ancient Chinese coins are round with a square hole in the center. The circle represents heaven while the square represents earth or the 4 directions. In Shaolin the character "Fang (Chin.: 方) is used in names of other weapons, such as the Fang Bian Chan 方便鏟 (Four Direction Spade), to convey the 4 directions.

r.

[GeneChing]

r.(shaolin) - Great post! I wish I had you write up that weapon. I was disappointed that I couldn't connect it to Shaolin to fit the special.

richard sloan - Believe it or not, I've never met Yanchang.

doug maverick - Think of your $4 as supporting the forum too.

Shaolindynasty - The technology of photography is getting much better. Freelance contributors have better access to better cameras - with digital, they don't have to wait for film. Of course, having several top level professional photographers focus their lenses upon Shaolin really helped. I doubt they will be doing the same for the other styles.

[Pk_StyLeZ]

woohoo i picked up an issue too
my 4 dollar went to the forums as well
didnt finish reading it, but read most of the article that caught my attention
and ya it was good
wow so many new monks....all with the same *english* names but the chinese characters are different..that will be confusinggggggg
lol

[doug maverick]

doug maverick - Think of your $4 as supporting the forum too.

you got it

[richard sloan]

This mythical weapon could be extended or shortened at will. Extended, one could use it as a ruler to measure the universe and heavens. It is said that General Er Lang Shen, the Heavenly Being, had three eyes that enabled him to see all things.

well that's certainly handy.