In the temple processions here in Taiwan, certain of the Gods walk in what I have heard called "dipper steps" (in Mandarin "qi xing bu") If I see it right, it is kind of a big, but slow, kind of stepping where you lift your leg up quite distinctly and then kind of hook it out and then shift your weight onto it.

Have any of you folks heard of this kind of ritual stepping? I guess it is somehow connected with what they also call "pa kua (8 trigrams) stepping and both of these are also used in Chinese martial arts????

take care,
Brian

Hi Brian,

Checked with a few 'seniors' but afraid can't find answer to your question. (Guess it too technical). Besides, different shifu (master) have their only practises not to mention different country.

However, from my limited experiences, over here, only 'heavenly deities' kitongs does the 7 step walk (i.e. qi xing bu) as it a powerful formation (like a maze) that can 'trap' evil forces. I've also noticed senior Taoist priest does this 'ji xing bu' during religious Taoist rituals (to enhance and concentrate the qi). People who are 'sensitive' can feel the sudden concentration of forces and the sudden brightness during this crucial moments.

But regarding the use of baqua steps (8 trigram steps?).....hmm don't know anything about it. Maybe you can check with the temples people over there and share it here?

Thanks & Best regards.

The Bagua steps:

Dear Brian,

The Bagua steps are used in the The Ritual of Thunder Magic. This ritual is used primarily to combat the Serpent black (maoshan) magic. (Source: Michael Saso 1978, p.235).

Hope this is suffice.

Best Regards.

Hi Reborn,
Oh thanks so much for looking into it and I must apologize for missing the post with the information you gave me way back in May. I appreciate your help now..and then! Sorry for not responding.

And thanks for the lead to the Saso book. I need to buy another copy of that book I had it when it first came out (back in ’78—I was still in university).

Hope all is well with you and your family. We only have four more days left in Ghost Month so be careful!

Take care,
Brian

Hello Brian,

Nice to hear from you again.

Are you scare of ghost? Well, I'm but I just can't leave them alone. Stupid me! I'm no ghost hunter but seemed to meet them frequently :D

If you don't know how they look like, refer to picture 1 of the "Dances of the Red Phoenix" in this thread:
http://z14.invisionfree.com/taoism_singapo...?showtopic=1708

Btw, if you come across any temple or altar with the White Tiger General (bai hu jiang jun), please snap a shot and share here.

Much appreciated & Best Regards.

Hi Reborn,
Well.....not so scared of ghost...but did not do any "whistling" over the last month either. (some Taiwanese think that whistling draws the attention of ghost so in particular during Ghost Month "old skool" Taiwanese do no whistle and they will scold their kids if the kid whistles).

As to the White Tiger General, let me keep my eyes open. You will see the Black Tiger General in some temples but truth be told I have never seen (or at least I do not remember seeing) White Tiger General.

But let me look into it.

People are starting to get excited about Mid-Autumn festival. This year here in Taiwan we get a four day holiday--Sat, Sun, Mon and Tuesday. So that is putting everyone in a festive mood! Including me.

But, today is still a work day so I better get back to work.

take care,
Brian

Good Day, Brian,

Sorry for late reply as I just returned from Yongchun, Fujian.
WoW! It was an eye opener! felt like being back to the past 200 yr ago.
Learned so much in a short week. Will share some pictures in the various (appropriate) thread soon.

Mid-Autumn festival is also a big event here (Singapore) but not recognized as a national event, thus no public holidays, lucky you!
Please share some pictures here if you have.

Best Regards.

Good Morning Reborn,
Wow, that is super about the trip to Yongchun. That city is famous in Taiwanese martial arts circles as being the "hometown" of White Crane Boxing. And yeah, going to Fukien after having lived in Singapore or Taipei is really a trip back in time. I have heard that from a number of my friends here in Taiwan who returned to see the various counties and towns in Fukien where their ancestors came from.

Oh, too bad, no Mid Autumn days off in Singapore, well my wife and I will think of you all while we enjoy our BBQ on the patio and the four days off!

Speaking of days off, today in northern Taiwan is a "Typhoon Holiday", I guess later today we up north here are going to get "clipped" by the edge of a typhoon so the government said "stay home and play on the internet"...well that is not exactly what they said.

I will post up pictures.

take care,
Brian