How does the character translate? I have seen it as a scaffold, framework, structure. But where is the ward-off? I can hazard a guess and say that it is emphasiing the structure required to be maintained for the posture and movement, but doesn't that apply to everything? ok, I said I was guessing.

As I learned it.....referred to as any kind of energy rising or lifting. Not sure if that is the exact translation, but that is the ernergetic principle behind it.
Jake

Right, "peng" in Taijiquan refers to force that moves upward and supports from below.

Expansion

Hi Rik,

The following is a small (and hopefully relevant) portion from my 26 page extended article on "Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan As A Martial Art". You can read or download the full version here:

http://sandiegotaichi.com/downloads.html

Tim Ash
contact@sandiegotaichi.com
http://SanDiegoTaiChi.com

----

The eight Tai Chi “Jins” (also referred to as Ba Men or “Eight Gates”) are not specific martial arts applications. Rather they are general classes of techniques generated in the mind and expressed via the body. All Tai Chi martial applications are based on direct uses or combinations of these techniques. Studying them will provide the unifying principles behind the many specific martial applications embodied in the slow and fast “forms” (movement sequences) of Tai Chi. The key insight is that although the basic fighting applications look similar to those of other martial arts, they are energized and delivered with these eight internal techniques. If you are practicing the applications but using contractive muscular force, it is not considered Tai Chi.

Of the Eight Jins, four are considered primary and correspond to the cardinal directions of the Bagua (Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, and Push). The next four are combinations of the primary forces and correspond to the diagonal directions (Pull, Split, Elbow, and Shoulder). The Eight Jins correspond to the upper body techniques of Tai Chi. Six of the Jins are primarily executed with the hands and can be done out to middle fighting distance (as opposed to long range full-extension kicking). These are Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, Push, Pull, and Split. As the opponent gets closer, the Elbow can be used effectively for both attack and defense. In really close quarters variations of Shoulder come into play.

· Ward Off (“Pang”, “Peng” or “Bing”) – Ward Off is expansive and rising energy. It originates at your geometric body center and inflates your body like a balloon filling up. It is mostly perpendicular to the opponent’s force and upward at the point of contact. It is also smaller than, but proportional to the opponent’s incoming force. Ward Off is the most yang of all the Jins and its upward and expansive movements can be used to disconnect an opponent from his root.

However, it is also present in all defensive movements and allows you to hold your shape as you yield. At the point where you opponent is contacting you it moves outward, denying them access to your vital center areas. Because it is proportional in strength to (although always smaller than) the incoming force, it is the basis for “listening power”, and must constantly be adjusted to match the opponent. With it’s dual roles as the most fundamental yang energy and the basis of listening power, Ward-off is the most important Jin to master. You cannot attain proficiency in Tai Chi without doing this.

I am having trouble grasping peng jin.

For example in the sun style would the opening move be considered peng jin and doesn't it start as a downward movement and then expands upward and out, or is it simply an upward push?

And/or is peng jin the energy used to read which of the other jins to apply and is not an application?

Perhaps its best to define peng osetnsively, that is just pointing, bit like a definition for "red" you can only define by example. Typically peng is a strong resisting kind of jing, it is stable and strong. You can always test it by getting a mate to push on the peng shape, but remember, Peng jing is partly a feature of every move as it is quite intimately realted to your grounding ability

Thanks Allenpig,

So peng is a destabilizing jing allowing you to apply a rollback, press, push, or whatever application appropriately?

Mike,

On the left side of your screen you should see a 'search' button (under utilities).

search for 'Peng'

and ready everything Tim posted.
He's answered the question a few times.
(including once in this thread)

Mike,

"destabalizing jing" - Yeah why not - my point mainly is that no definition will probably be adequate. One reason is that people will experience the different jings differently. The characterisations are just a rough guide. In the end they all intermix in the fraction of a second. Perhaps there is even some artificiality is trying to seperate them into discrete parts which are clearly analyzable and explainable? Maybe one should be more of a poet and less of a scientist at the end of the day. Still let me not be the one to discourage you from the hard headed analytical stuff. My experience is as limited as anyones, but even if you discover what Peng is, it will no doubt change and deepen as you gain more experience. Perhaps there really is no Peng! (lol)

Thanks Alienpig,

You are probably right, I have read so many different explanations I confused myself!