The Meaning Of “Gao Tan Ma”

Here’s an interesting take on an alternative translation of the posture, “High Pat On Horse”;

• “High Pat On Horse“, by Tuscon Taiji

What is a “Jin Gang”?

Some Chen postures have names such as “Jin Gang Dao Dui”, which is sometimes translated as “Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar”. It may help your practice to keep this image of a “Jin Gang” in mind;

• Taiyou-ji Temple, Kanegasaki, Japan

However, I did come across an alternative translation in a post on Facebook, in the Chen Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi) group;

Quoting from the link Dan Docherty says

“Oh yes, this amazing Taoist martial art with techniques such as ‘Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounding Mortar’! basically it’s Shaolin Boxing with a bit of Tai Chi thrown in”

I wonder if he has any ability to understand Chinese. The “Buddha Warrior” in Jin Gang Dao Dui is not a correct translation. a “Jin Gang(金强)” is an adjective meaning “very adamant” not a noun meaning “Buddha Warrior.” Jin Gang Shi(金强石) means Jin Gang(indestructable) Stone or Diamond. Jin Gang Bu Huai(金剛不壞) refers to a state in Shaolin Gong Fu where the practitioners skin cannot be harmed by weapon.

Jin Gang SOMETIMES refer to very adamant guardian in Buddhism but not neccessarily always.

So Jin Gang Dao Dui just means very solid pound on a mortar or a Jin Gang Guardian pounding on a mortar. Not “Buddha Warrior”

Edit: see the comments for further discussion.

Chen Lineage

I came across a rather more complete Chen lineage;

• http://www.chenireland.com/lineage.html

Usually all you read is about Chen Bu, Chen Wanting, then from Chen Fake onwards.