Southern Boxing Yongfu Luohan Quan (, Arhat Boxing from Yongfu, Fujian Province)

Chen Dongguan

This style of Luohan Quan originates in Yong Tai County at the Fang Guang Cliff where it was passed by Monk Bao Kong (). It was Xie Baokuang ( who studied at Fangguang Cliff with Bao Kong the skills of Luohan Quan which he passed onto his disciple.Chen Dongguan () studied under Master Xie and was one of Luohan Quan's most recognized inheritors (after achieving first place in the inaugaral Fujian Leitai competition in 1932) and taught the boxing in Fuzhou. Liang Shou Zhong was a disciple of Chen Dongguan and selected as representative of Luohan boxing when government researchers came to Fuzhou in the 1980's as part of the martial arts collection activities.The sets of Yongfu Luohan Quan include Sanzheng (, 3 straights), Babu (, 8 steps), Simen (, 4 gates), Ershiba Su (, 28 ancestors), Sanshiliushou (, 36 hands) and so on. The style is likely to have been derived or heavily influenced by the old boxing styles in Yongfu which are known as Jishan Quan (, Integrated Mountain Boxing).Zhangzhou Luohan Quan ( , Arhat Boxing from Zhangzhou, Fujian Province)Zhangzhou is treasure house of traditional Fujian martial arts. Luohan Quan is also one of the styles prominently found there. In Zhangzhou there is the Kaiyuan Temple (also one found in Quanzhou of the same name) which is said to have had practitioners of martial arts for many generations, one of the major schools is Shaohua Tang (). Zhangzhou Luohan Quan is also known as Shiba Luohan Quan (, 18 Luohan Boxing), Fojia Quan (, Buddha Family Boxing) and Hexiang Quan (, Monk Boxing).It is a very elaborate system which includes over 108 routines/forms, with 18 of them being considered the most respected. There are sets like Luohan Shibafa (18 Methods of Arhats), Xiao/Da Luohan (Small/Large Arhat), Fuhu (Tiger Taming), Luohan Shibadie (18 falls of Arhats), Zui Luohan (Drunken Arhat), as well as Xiang Yue Quan (Ape Boxing), Babu Chan (8 Steps), Meihua (Plum Blossom) and much more. A complete system of internal practices (such as Luohan Jingang Gong, Luohan Jinchan Gong and external practices such as Tiesha Zhang (Iron Plam), Jing Gong (Lightness Skils) and Jinzhong Zhao (Golden Bell Cover). There are also many armed practices with 108 weapons sets (including 35 for long and 72 short weapons) and over 24 combined combat sets.The lineage in brief is as follows: Venerable Master Hui Ming ( ) - Master Fa Min ( ) - Monk Guang Chou ( ) - Father in Law () - Pan Yiba ( ) - Lin Cenghui ( ).Dan Bian Luohan Quan (, Single Whip Arhat Boxing)This style is common in the Fuzhou area. The origin of this style is from Zhang Zhongdong () in the Qing Dynasty. Master Zhang is said tro have studied with a monk at Shan Feng Temple and later taught the style in Pingnan. The original boxing of the monk was said to have been Longzhuang (also known as Longzun Quan, , Fujian Dragon Reverence Boxing) as the reference Dan Bian (one of the sets on Longzhuang Quan. There are 18 sets/routines in this Luohan style with names such as 24, 36, 72 and 108 postures. The 108 postures is the essence of Dan Bian Luohan Quan.Xiang Dian Quan (, Fragrant Stall Boxing)Xiang Dian Quan is also known as Luohan Quan or a division thereof and is commonly practices in Pingnan, Fujian Province. In 1918, there was a monk Zhiyuan () who passed by a store called "Qingxiang Tingxiang Dian" and the owner recognised that he has somes skills then asked to study. After much difficulty in persuasion, the monk agreed to teach the young man known as Fang Ligui () who studied the Luohan Quan with sincere effort. After he taught others the style was known as Xiangdian in consideration of its origins with Master Fang. His key disciple was Chen Wumei (, 1896-1989) who then passed on the skill to Fang Lizeng (, 1922-1991). Based on the contents and methods of the style current researchers believe the origins to be in Longzun Quan (, Fujian Dragon Reverence Boxing). The sets of this style include San Zhan (), Babu (), Shizi () and Luohan Shiba Fumo Tui ().Taizhou Luohan Quan ( , Arhat Boxing from Taizhou, Zhejiang Province)Luohan practiced in Zhejiang was passed by Venerable Monk Ru Ceng () to Master Xi Chengfu ( ). The style's attributes are in line with those of the Zhejiang region with deep stances, direct powerful striking and use of tensile motions. The contents of the set are said to combine the Yixing (, Intention of the Image) based on the Luohan, with the Jiashi (, postures) of traditional boxing in Zhejiang.Its contents include three key aspects of many short sets including the Luohan Shiba Shou (, 18 Hands of Arhats), individual Luohan Quan ( , Arhat Boxing) and the drunken shape of Zui Luohan Quan ( , Drunken Arhat Boxing). Since Master Xi was already versed in indigenous boxing methods of Zhejiang and the styles close resemblance of that, it is likely that this style really took the concept of Luohan but consists of local boxing methods therein.Quanzhou Luohan Quan ( , Arhat Boxing from Quanzhou, Fujian Province)

Zhuang Zishen

Zhuang Zishen (, 1913-1988) was an esteemed practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Martial arts. He was fortunate to receive tuition from many masters in a variety of styles and became an important figure in Fujian martial arts holding posts such as President of the Quanzhou martial arts research society and the Fujian provincial martial arts bureau. In 1988, he commenced the Jianying martial arts Institute. In amongst the martial arts he studied, this included Luohan Quan with Hou Junhuan () in Quanzhou, Fujian Province.Hou Junhuan used to reside on Xijie (West Road) in Quanzhou, however not much is known of his teachers. Common understanding amongst followers is that he studied with monks in either Kaiyuan Temple () or Zhenguodong Chan Temple () . There are three empty hand sets: Luohan San Zhan (, 3 Battles), Xianglong Luohan (, Dragon Subduing Arhat) and Fuhu Luohan (, Tiger Taming Arhat).Nanyang Fojia Pai (, Buddhist Family School)Fojia Pai is sometimes also considered Luohan Quan (because of contents of the same name and close association with Buddhism) was founded by Abbott Shi Gao Can (, Sek Koh Sum) of the Shuanglin Temple, Singapore. Shi Gao Can was originaly from the Huian area in Quanzhou, Fujian province and studied local boxing for three years in his youth, Taizuquan with Cao Biao () and later Luohanquan from Zhangzhou later as a monk on Putuoshan (an island of the coast of Zhejiang province). This style consists of elements from Taizu Quan, Luohan Quan mainly as well as some arts from Zhejiang. Since the founder is said to have practiced methods only passed amongst Buddhist monks, the style is referred to as Fo Jia Pai (Buddhist Family School). Characterized by deeply rooted stances, which are often on a three angled plane the style is direct and consists of simply to execute and apply movements. Sets are numerous and different amongst the various branches but commonly include Yizhi Mei (), Luohanquan (), Simen (), Xiashan Hu () and more rare practices such as Xi Nu Luohan () and Houxing Luohan ().Taiping Luohan QuanLuohan Quan is derived from the styles across Zhejiang, Fujian and Nanyang. It focuses on direct powerful application of all techniques and individual expression of intention, power and methods on the basis of the 18 Luohan. The concept is that each Luohan is represented not just by physical skills, but also by power and spiritual emphasis which has been the basis for most of the Luohan Quan systems throughout history.There are introductory sets that ensure the right basics are understood, and then followed by individual components which are based on each of the 18 Luohans. In total there are 18 sequences some short and others long ranging between 12 up to 108 techniques within each sequence. Many of the sets are also matching so that they can be practiced with a partner.Fundamentals San Zhan ( 3 Battles) Ba Bu ( 8 Steps) Si Men ( 14 Gates) Shi Zi ( Cross) Ba Hua Lan ( 8 Flowerings) Luohan Shiba Fa ( 18 Methods) Er Shi Ba Su ( 28 Constellations) Shi Si Zi ( 14 Characters) Wu Shi Si Shou ( 54 Hands) Xia BieShou ( Turtle Hands) San Shi Liu Shou ( 36 Hands) Shao Hua Quan ( Shaohua Boxing) Luohan Quan (There are many practices to Luohan Quan. We outline only some of those below. We include a brief of the folkore/legend of the corresponding Luohan for completeness as well.Kanmen Luohan (, Gate Guarding Arhat)The first of the advanced Luohan sets is Kanmen (Gate Guard). Movements are direct and practical. The story of Kanmen Luohan suggests that when young he was slow-wittted and with poor memory having difficulties in reciting sutras. As a result Buddha was said to have taught to sweep and that the simple verse should be to sweep. This simple method focused his mind and since he achieved enlightenment. He latter guarded the areas whilst sweeping throughout the temple. There are 72 movements in Kanmen Luohan which are often split into 4 parts - it is the first two that shown the most. Sometimes in traditions this are split into Xiao and Da Luohan (first two and last two parts).Fuhu Luohan (, Tiger Taming Arhat)The legend of Fuhu Luohan suggests that he was a monk living in a mountain that was sought by the local town people as a wild man eating tiger was terrarising them. Fuhu Luohan then suggested that by regularly feeding the tiger it would not be hungry. This idea worked and then the tiger became tamed and the townspeople no longer lived in fear. This set contains three sections of 18 methods, totalling 54. In addition to great techniques the first and last section can be practiced as a matching combat set in pair.Xianglong Luohan (, Dragon Subduing Arhat)This is one of the longest and most physically demanding of the Luohan sets. Movements are large and extended including the use of the full arsenal of the human body. The legend of Xianglong Luohan he had sole handedly recovered sutras that were destroyed and had to subdue dragons that stood guard at the king of the undersea. There are 108 methods, with 6 sections. There is also an 18 movement combined set which emphasises grappling and throwing concepts into a 2 man combat practice.Xinu Luohan (, Happy Angry Arhat)The Xinu Luohan is consisting of the Happy Arhat's representation. With a focus on the conflicting spirit, the methods include the training of physical expression and emotions which are often accompanied by sounds. The techniques are combinations that often end in a Luohan posture, whilst the actual methods are mostly found between postures. Kanaka (the Happy Arhat) was said to look at happiness as experience through the five senses, whilst eternal bliss was said to come not from the senses but rather from within - the Buddha in the heart. The Xinu Luohan is an enduring set that allows one to experience all senses only to return to nothingness but the tranquility from the heart.Changmei Luohan (, Long Eyebrow Arhat)Considered the leader of the Arhats - the long eyebrows indicate longevity and seniority. Some legends advocate that he was born with long eyebrows, however, the more common legend is that he was a monk in previous lives but had failed to reach ultimate enlightenment. Hanging onto life striving for the attainment after many years that which remained were his long eyebrows. The Changmei Luohan set although short with only 36 methods, is considered an advanced one. Power is short relying on combination of both gentle and highly accelerated power.Nianjing Luohan (, Sutra Reciting Arhat)The Heart Sutra is often applied (althought others maybe prescribed according to conditions) to support the development of the spirit. There are few methods but they are held for long periods, repeated and special breathing and thought imagery is required throughout. Based on the Meditating Luohan, who was one of Buddha's favorite disciples in legend. It was also said that he was originally a warrior with immense strength who then gave up a life of fighting and killing. Through meditation he was able to achieve enlightenment and many apply the Heart sutra to calm the mind of a warrior. Consisting of only 18 method/movements the Nianjing Luohan is usually taught as required and not part of standard curriculum.Weapons Zimu Gun ( Mother Son Staff) Damo Jian ( Damo Sword) Qi Bu Qiang ( 7 Step Spear) Meihua Dao ( Plum Blossom Broadsword)