Ba Gua bears the earmarks of a bodyguard’s art – the extensive variety of movements of a covering defensive nature, the combined turning & pushing with specialized stepping & ways to insinuate one’s body between two people all indicate a system designed to protect a third party.

Guarding Ba Gua

Some Ba Gua practitioners in history, particularly during the Ching dynasty, have been bodyguards for heads of state. During the Ching, Tibetan Buddhism was the National Religion of China so it is known that High Lamas were likely protected by guards of that nature. There is also a guard tradition in Tibetan Buddhism.

Guarding Tibetan Buddhism

Allen’s involvement in Tibetan Buddhism & its medicine led him into studying the nature of monastic discipline & security. He was requested to assist with security at the Loseling Institute, the North American seat of Drepung Monastery (the “Oxford” of Tibet). He assisted with security as “Geku” or “disciplinarian” at the Loseling Institute for ten years ending in 2001.