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Shaolin Collection - 6
18 Wonderful Methods of the Shaolin

By: Uwe Schwenk (Ying Zi Long)

Shaolin Collection - 6: 18 Wonderful Methods of the Shaolin

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Introduction
This is the sixth in a series of documents, which are in my opinion
considered essential for studying Shaolin Gong Fu.

About this Library

Most of these documents are translations of historical texts which are just
now (2003) beginning to emerge. For this library, only the texts considered
as core by the author to the study of Shaolin were selected. While some of
the readers might question some of the texts in this collection, please bear
in mind, that Shaolin has a different meaning for every person studying the
art.

Shaolin Collection - 6
With this 6th paper, I will now start going more into detailed aspects
concerning Shaolin per se. In this particular document we will describe the
18 wonderful methods of the Shaolin. The following text is one of the texts
translated from the canonical books of Master Master Lam Sai Wing (1860-
1943).

Introduction: About this Library

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Introduction: Shaolin Collection - 6

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The 18 wonderful Methods of the

Shaolin
Introduction
This little paper describes in a prosaic way the concepts of the fighting
methods. Please be forewarned, that although it may sound simple, it is not.
Mastery of these methods will take years. I am extensively involved in this
for close to 40 years now, and I do not proclaim to have them mastered.

Striking around in the whirling horse stance

When anybody uses the “whirling horse stance”, he whirls his body around
its axis and hails blows around aiming at the enemy's heart, gives violent
backhand strokes at the face, executes captures. One hand is moving after
another, both hands are striking to the left and to the right. You can see the
results of those blows. The fighter strikes with his foot forward and
backward, turns somersault, moves during the fight. The hands move in the
front, as if a ferocious tiger jumps after his pray.

The iron buffalo ploughs the field

The iron buffalo ploughs the field and fists fly around freely. Long rapid
steps, the hand catches the tiger ’s eye, and body turns like “whirling horse”,
and circular foot movement “a blue dragon wags its tail” are immediately
executed, and then a new turn around the axis... You are jumping, squatting,
laying on the ground, delivering blows, as if with a flail, rushing down to the
enemy like an avalanche, delivering heavy punches and striking the tiger ’s
eye.

Moving at night, hit the enemy

You turn and punch, your hand strikes the enemy's palm. You make a step,
catch the enemy, throw and mutilate him. If, when catching the enemy, your
hands interlace with his hands, you have to punch the elbow from below
(“the lightning of the iron door flashes”), in order to punch the head, use
your knees and shoulders. Just as a huge bird Peng spreads its wings, you
turn around and “catch the moon with both hands”. You strike at the heart,
then ring the enemy round with both hands and after it you use method “the
blue dragon wags its tail” and “the carp fish makes somersaults”.

The 18 wonderful Methods of the Shaolin: Introduction

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The golden pheasant stands in solitude

“The golden pheasant stands in solitude” and works with a hand in the
center. “He presses the moon to his breast”, lowers the face and makes a
kick, then turns the whole body around and makes a step; the fighter steps
down the hall, squats and punches the enemy's face. With high jumps to the
right and to the left the legs work, vehemently kicking crushing strokes. If
the enemy tries to strike back, you catch his feet with both hands. You have
to take all-round defense by striking back. If you can, you punch like your
great ancestors did. Strike forward, rush backward, create insurmountable
slashing and obstructions to the enemy.

Make a turn to tie a tiger

You make steps, rock yourself to the left and to the right and sink for some
time lower. This method is executed at a low stance, you squat on the left or
the right foot like a tiger climbing a mountain. You strike around, make a
step and turn to the right. The enemy looses his heart and tries to escape.
You feel absolutely safe.

Wonderful metamorphosis of the rider

You make steps with your legs wide apart, as if you sit on a horseback and
resort to metamorphosis. Deliver a heavy blow at the ribs and hasten to
defend yourself, with completely natural movements you “come to the
common spring”. You punch at the enemy's arm catch from the front, make
wave backward and “burst into Yuzhou.” Move your foot, your hand comes
back to its initial position. You whirl your body to evade a blow. You take all-
round defense and your ear-rings look like a coiled pythons ready to jump. A
punch, as quick as a lightning, is called “tie up a packet”.

To sit on a horseback and to raise a cauldron

You attack your enemy, punch him with both hands and make him bend
under your charge. Move your body, work with hands, thrust at an enemy's
knee. You firmly step, your defense is insurmountable; you bump the enemy
against your whole body. You face all the sides and “enter the central gate”;
thrust with your knees, strike at the face with your palm and deal with your
elbow and hands, mislead the enemy with deceptive movements and “reach
the sea bottom”. You squat, work with your legs and chase the running
enemy. You make somersaults, go on advancing, step to the left and to the
right in a lower stance. You “cast a glance in the sky” and you are able to lift

The 18 wonderful Methods of the Shaolin: The golden pheasant stands in solitude
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a thousand jins (a measure of weight equal to 600 g appr.) with a jerk. You
dodge blows, take false steps, kick: “the two hammers punch, the feet follow
them”.

You hang your bow high on your back

You press hard the enemy, punch him and then give a strong kick into the
enemy's pudenda; on the left and on the right you use the method “the
swallow picks its food”. Turn to the other side, make a step and put on a
helmet. If you see that the enemy tries to strike at your body, hasten to
forestall him and strike first. Make your shattering blows inside and outside,
turn your whole body and kick around. Move and strike using the method
“the palm of the whirling horse”. Clasp your hands and kick around. “Raise
your foot on a hill”, deliver a blow, take a low stance and chase the enemy.
Let your hands fly ahead to pave the way.

To kick just as with a sharp saw

You are kicking and circulating, both hands move above your head in a
circles. You circulate, turn to the left and to the right. You are moving
steadily and without interruption You step with your arms moving all the
time, your blows “punch holes in the iron door”. You are making somersaults
and are “picking up eggs under cart wheels”; bravely meet any blows aimed
at your face or probably at your back, then make a new turn and work with
your shoulders. Both hands are thumping, you are “chasing the moon on a
cart”. You make a step and come back to the initial position.

You sit on a horseback with a big sword

Strike with your hand, then protect yourself with your palm, make a step,
raise your hand and strike at the stomach. After it you intercept an enemy's
blow, make a turn and swiftly dash forward. With both hands coordinated
you strike at an enemy's cheek. You are on your guard and ready to deliver
a blow in order to make the enemy drop his weapon. You are making a false
hand movement and a step at the same time: your hands are in coordination
with your elbow, you kick at the enemy's waist. Your kick is a cutting knife,
your art must be perfect. Then you execute the method called “the hawk
tumbles in the air” and fly forward. The movements of your arms and legs
are coordinated and lead you to kick into the enemy's pudenda.

The 18 wonderful Methods of the Shaolin: You hang your bow high on your back
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Give a horse the rein and work with a big sword

Punch with both hands simultaneously, crush and pierce through the
enemy's defense with various strikes with method “tie up a packet”. Turn
around your axis and strike with your hand into the enemy's pudenda. Use
the method “the golden pheasant stands in solitude” and hit directly at the
center. Made a side hook and take the stance “horse sprint”. Quickly draw
yourself up, make a deceptive step and use the method “a magpie takes
wings”. Parry a blow with your foot and strike back with your foot at the
enemy's bone. Squat, then strike in a jump with your two feet. After it you
should take a steadfast posture and punch.

Strike with a chisel and a hammer and repeal attacks

Strike with your hand at the brow, your palm goes down, make left and
right clenches and bound forward. One hand strikes after the other. Your
arm makes a deceitful movement, then you hit with your two elbows: “the
yellow dragon somersaults in the air” and make a clench. “The chief draws
the bow” and hits with one hand. Then you remove your shoulder, catch the
enemy's hand and hit with your knee, jump forward, then swing about and
move backward, knocking the enemy to the ground with a hand blow.
Quickly jump, raise your arm and deliver a blow called “the lock”.

At night you are ready to meet surprises and catch the moon
in her flight with both hands
When you execute this method, you rush to the enemy and catch his hand,
at the same time you deliver blows at his knee and ribs with your foot and
palm. Then you make a step, slightly squat and strike the enemy between
his legs. You surround the enemy with hand blows so that he becomes
panic-stricken and runs away. All hundred blows have run home. Your arms
fulfil all the space - the mystery of all-crushing arms.

When kicking, you defend your heart

You make six successive turns and then eight steps - forward, backward,
to the left and to the right. All your movements are natural and light. You
make eight steps at squat, make a somersault on the ground and rise on
your feet. You are ready to defend yourself at any time, the sward shines on
your back. The horse kicks to the left and to the right, and so your feet do;
you are ready to rush. Bludgeons flash, you have swept off all obstructions
and burst through them. You use all methods and chances to get the aim.

The 18 wonderful Methods of the Shaolin: Give a horse the rein and work with a big sword
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Punching with long fists

Indeed, the long fist punching is worth of praise. You perceive the great
mystery and are able to see the wonders: you turn and somersault, hit the
enemy's pudenda with your feet, break his defense, always ready to attack
and do your best not to commit a mistake. “The iron buffalo sinks to the sea
bottom, you squeeze the top of Taishan mountain with your golden talons”.
You squat and thumps with the dragon head into the solar plexus and the
enemy is defeated.

The knocking down foot and the whipping palm

You use this method when you are in a low stance, punch with a fist and
thump with a foot with all the force of your body. You turn your body, break
through the defense with your fists, bravely rush to the enemy, but at the
same time you are ready to defend yourself at any moment. You make a turn
and a deceptive step to avoid a blow, sharply hit the stomach and break
through the enemy's defense. You always have to protect the lower part of
your stomach and try to strike with your hands: “you pick up flowers on the
left and on the right, swallows peck food, birds and dragons let out their
talons”. You make three turns around the axis of your body, you stay firmly
in “the central hall” and strike with your hands.

Twist with hands and strike with palms

This position is used for defense. You strike at the arm-pits and simulta-
neously swart the enemy's attack, then came back to the method “Squeeze
the top of Taishan mountain”. Your whole body turns about and you make
one more turn “to pick up hen eggs from the ground”. Those are the
mysteries of “six turns and eight stops”. You advance and retreat to the left
and to the right and combine somersaults with strikes. You strike with your
hands all around and dexterously manipulate with a sward behind your
back. “Military spies roam on the left and on the right” - those are your feet.
That is a defense of “the advancing dragon”, and when the enemy turns
about and is running away, chase him, like a tiger after his pray. Strike with
an elbow at the enemy's heart - “the arrow pierces the back”. A strike with
the first hand must be immediately followed by another strike with the
second hand. You can push with your elbows from the left and from the
right.

The 18 wonderful Methods of the Shaolin: Punching with long fists

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Catch with hands and strike

This method is used at a low stance. Both fists are crossed and a side kick
is made. Many times you dodge blows and then you start a crushing attack
called “the white tiger washes his face”, “there are four doors below and
above”. You make deceptive movements with your hands and avoid “to
knock at the central door”. You should defend yourself from below and
above. You must remember that when striking from above, you must protect
your lower part and when striking from below, do not forget about the upper
part.

The 18 wonderful Methods of the Shaolin: Catch with hands and strike