What is "baguadao"

Baguadao (八卦道 "Way of the Eight Trigrams") or Eight Trigram Teaching is a network of Chinese folk religious sects, one of the most extended in northern China. The tradition dates back to the late 17th century Ming dynasty, and was heavily persecuted during the following Qing dynasty when affiliated sects organised an uprising in 1813, led by Lin Qing. Affiliated sects appeared under various names, but during the latter half of the 18th century they adopted Bagua Jiao as their common designation.

The founder, or early influential leader of Baguadao was Liu Zuochen (†~1700), and the Liu family of Shandong maintained the leadership of the sect for decades. Baguadao networks were the first folk religions to develop " civil and martial work methods as one" (文武功法合一 wénwǔ gōng fǎ hé yī), and continue in contemporary Meihua (Plum Flower) practices.