View source for Repatriation of the Buddha

<xiangqi-player>
{
  "id": "songfoguidian-definition",
  "initialFen": "2b2a3/3kn4/bR2Cr3/9/3P5/3r5/9/3Cp4/2p1p4/3K5 w - - 0 1",
  "moves": [
    "b8d8",
    "d9d8",
    "d6d7",
    "d8d9",
    "d7d8",
    "d9d10",
    "d8d9"
  ],
  "initialPly": 0,
  "annotations": {
    "0": "Red to move. Position and solution from the 360 Baike entry and the 2017 Baidu Experience tutorial.",
    "1": "R8=6: the chariot is offered on the general's file.",
    "3": "P6+1: the soldier advances with check for the first time.",
    "7": "P6+1 for the third time: checkmate."
  },
  "caption": "Repatriation of the Buddha (送佛归殿): Red sacrifices the chariot, then mates with three soldier advances. Red to move."
}
</xiangqi-player>

'''Repatriation of the Buddha''' (simplified Chinese: <span lang="zh-Hans">送佛归殿</span>; traditional Chinese: <span lang="zh-Hant">送佛歸殿</span>) is a basic checkmate pattern in xiangqi. A soldier, also called a pawn, advances with successive checks, forcing the opposing general back until it is mated. A cannon commonly supports the soldier, and a chariot or horse sacrifice may prepare the attack.<ref name="png-445">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Repatriation of the Buddha Checkmate", pp. 445–446. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="wxf23">World Xiangqi Federation and Chinese Xiangqi Association. ''[https://www.scribd.com/document/62568255/Basic-Xiangqi-Checkmates Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods]''. Chapter II "Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods", §23 "Repatriation of Buddha Checkmate", figs. 97–99 (digitised copy, pp. 76–78).</ref>

''Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods'', published by the World Xiangqi Federation and the Chinese Xiangqi Association, includes the pattern among its twenty-six basic mating methods. Jim Png Hau Cheng's ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English'' defines it as a cannon-and-pawn combination and attributes its example to the classical manual ''Elegant Pastime'' (<span lang="zh">适情雅趣</span>).<ref name="wxf23" /><ref name="png-445" />

The name overlaps with <span lang="zh">三进兵</span> (Three Soldier Advances) and <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span> (the Eunuch Chases the Emperor), although reference works and teaching courses distinguish these terms in different ways. Examples use different supporting pieces and different numbers of soldier advances.<ref name="png-413">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Funeral Checkmate", pp. 413–414. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="png-416">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Triple Advancement Attack", p. 416. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="s030">4399手机游戏网 (14 December 2015). "[https://news.4399.com/gonglue/ttxq/cjsfds/m/582765.html 天天象棋残局攻略 卒（兵）杀法独卒擒王]" [Tian Tian Xiangqi endgame guide: the soldier mate 独卒擒王]. The page credits 百度贴吧 contributor 蓝色小飞鱼9999.</ref><ref name="s095">Chinese Chess Out Loud (13 July 2026). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9qar8u6KIQ Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained]". Part 2 of the Fundamentals of Xiangqi course. Repatriation of the Buddha: 3:15:14–3:21:14; Pawn Triple Advancement: 3:28:24; Eunuch Chasing the Emperor: 3:29:40.</ref>

== Terminology and classification ==

Png describes Repatriation of the Buddha as an endgame technique in which a remaining pawn advances repeatedly with assistance from a cannon or its own general. His related entries distinguish the broader pawn attack from particular mating combinations:<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="png-413" /><ref name="png-416" />

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Pawn attacks and mates in Png's ''Lexicon''
! Term !! Chinese name !! Definition
|-
| Pawn Triple Advancement Attack || <span lang="zh">三进兵</span> || A pawn advances repeatedly against the opposing general with help from other pieces, often leading to mate.<ref name="png-416" />
|-
| Pawn Funeral Checkmate || <span lang="zh">独卒擒王</span>, <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span>, <span lang="zh">一卒送终</span> || A lone pawn delivers mate with help from other pieces, usually through the triple advancement attack.<ref name="png-413" />
|-
| Repatriation of the Buddha Checkmate || <span lang="zh">送佛归殿</span> || The cannon-assisted form of the pawn mate.<ref name="png-413" /><ref name="png-416" />
|}

Chinese instructional sources also use the names as alternatives. The 360 Baike entry lists <span lang="zh">三进兵</span>, <span lang="zh">太监追皇上</span> (the Eunuch Chases the Emperor) and <span lang="zh">凤凰三点头</span> (the Phoenix Nods Three Times) under <span lang="zh">送佛归殿</span>; a Sina Kandian primer lists the same group under <span lang="zh">三进兵</span>. The latter writes the emperor's name as <span lang="zh">黄帝</span>, the Yellow Emperor.<ref name="s001">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/2662083-2811088.html 送佛归殿]" [Repatriation of the Buddha]. 2022-07-20.</ref><ref name="s054">竞阳体育 (2020-12-25). "[https://k.sina.com.cn/article_7507480051_1bf7b0df300100ycft.html 象棋百科启智初步，如何练习杀棋，学习杀法杀着有什么好方法吗？]" [Xiangqi encyclopedia primer: how to practise mating]. 新浪看点 (k.sina.com.cn).</ref>

The 4399 endgame guide uses <span lang="zh">独卒擒王</span> (a lone soldier captures the general), with <span lang="zh">一卒送终</span>, <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span> and <span lang="zh">送佛归殿</span> as alternatives. It distinguishes this mate from <span lang="zh">三进兵</span>: in its definition, the former drives the general back to its starting square, whereas the latter may mate it elsewhere on the back rank.<ref name="s030" /> Chinese Chess Out Loud's 2026 course likewise gives Repatriation of the Buddha, Pawn Triple Advancement and Eunuch Chasing the Emperor separate entries. Its Repatriation examples include support from the general as well as from a cannon.<ref name="s095" />

Png explains <span lang="zh">一卒送终</span> through the image of a pawn conducting funeral rites for the opposing general, and <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span> through that of a eunuch chasing an emperor. He also records “ghost”, “eunuch” and “servant” as pawn nicknames.<ref name="png-413" /><ref name="png-414">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Funeral Checkmate" (conclusion), p. 414. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref> A 2026 lesson uses the variant <span lang="zh">送佛归西</span> (seeing the Buddha home to the west).<ref name="s012">板鸭象棋 (2026-08-05). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1DaMk6ZEwb 送佛归西（三进兵）的用法及应用 象棋的基本招法 象棋网络培训班（从学1到业9）第17课]" [The uses of Repatriation of the Buddha (Three Soldier Advances), lesson 17]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref>

The similarly named <span lang="zh">金鸡三点头</span> (the Golden Rooster Nods Three Times) is taught as a chariot attack in a 2025 lesson: the chariot captures an advisor and gives successive checks. It is described there as one check longer than <span lang="zh">进洞出洞</span>.<ref name="s014">爱下棋的冉帅 (2025-09-26). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV12An3zkENk 象棋杀法宝典-金鸡三点头]" [Treasury of xiangqi mating methods: the Golden Rooster Nods Three Times]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref>

== Mechanism ==

A sacrifice can draw the general into the soldier's path. Png calls the opening chariot offer in his example a decoy sacrifice; the 2017 Baidu Experience tutorial describes the same tactical idea as <span lang="zh">弃子吸引</span>, sacrificing a piece to draw an opponent's piece onto the required square.<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="s029">qq631213796 (2017-06-16). "[https://jingyan.baidu.com/article/aa6a2c143ba5590d4c19c490.html 中国象棋杀法——送佛归殿]" [Chinese xiangqi mating methods: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 百度经验 (jingyan.baidu.com).</ref>

In the cannon-assisted formation, the soldier advances along the cannon's file. Chinese Chess Out Loud explains that the formation requires two pieces between the cannon and the opposing general, one of them the attacking soldier. Capturing the soldier would leave a single intervening piece, exposing the general to the cannon. The general must therefore retreat in the demonstrated positions, allowing another soldier check.<ref name="s095" /> In the featured example, Red begins with 车八平六 (WXF R8=6), Black replies K4+1, and Red follows with three P6+1 checks. Black's chariot cannot capture the soldier without exposing its general to the cannon, or capture the cannon while leaving the soldier's check unanswered.<ref name="s001" /><ref name="s029" />

The supporting piece need not be a cannon in every source's definition. The 4399 guide illustrates a soldier supported by its own general; capturing that soldier would leave the generals facing each other on an open file. Chinese Chess Out Loud demonstrates the same use of the flying-general rule.<ref name="s030" /><ref name="s095" />

Despite the name Three Soldier Advances, the examples vary in length. The Baidu Experience tutorial gives two- and three-advance mates; the 4399 guide gives a four-advance mate; and Png's continuation to his classical example also requires four forward soldier moves.<ref name="s029" /><ref name="s030" /><ref name="png-445" /><ref name="png-446">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Repatriation of the Buddha Checkmate" (conclusion), p. 446. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref>

== Worked examples ==

=== Cannon support ===

The featured board reproduces the chariot sacrifice and three soldier checks printed in the 360 Baike entry and the 2017 tutorial. The same tutorial also gives the shorter example below, in which Red checks immediately and mates on the soldier's second advance.<ref name="s001" /><ref name="s029" />

<xiangqi-player>
{
  "id": "songfoguidian-two-move",
  "initialFen": "9/3k5/9/3P5/3r5/9/4R4/3C5/1c2A4/c3KAB2 w - - 0 1",
  "moves": [
    "d7d8",
    "d9d10",
    "d8d9"
  ],
  "initialPly": 0,
  "annotations": {
    "0": "Red to move.",
    "1": "P6+1: the soldier advances with check.",
    "2": "K4-1: the general must retreat.",
    "3": "P6+1: mate."
  },
  "caption": "Cannon-assisted mate in two soldier advances, from the 2017 Baidu Experience tutorial. Red to move."
}
</xiangqi-player>

=== General support and chariot sacrifices ===

The 4399 guide gives two examples of <span lang="zh">独卒擒王</span>. In the first, four soldier advances force the black general back and then across to the centre file, where the final soldier move mates. The red general prevents the soldier's capture.<ref name="s030" />

<xiangqi-player>
{
  "id": "duzuqinwang-general-home",
  "initialFen": "5a3/4c4/3kb4/9/3P5/9/9/9/9/3K5 w - - 0 1",
  "moves": [
    "d6d7",
    "d8d9",
    "d7d8",
    "d9d10",
    "d8d9",
    "d10e10",
    "d9d10"
  ],
  "initialPly": 0,
  "annotations": {
    "0": "Red to move.",
    "1": "P6+1: the soldier advances with check.",
    "3": "P6+1: the second advance, again with check.",
    "5": "P6+1: the general is driven to the centre file.",
    "7": "P6+1: mate. The black general cannot take the soldier, because the two generals would then face each other on the open file."
  },
  "caption": "The 4399 guide’s 独卒擒王 example: four soldier advances end in mate on the back rank. The red general prevents Black from capturing the soldier. Red to move."
}
</xiangqi-player>

In the second example, Red first sacrifices two chariots on the general's file, then completes the same four-advance soldier mate.<ref name="s030" /> Png illustrates his Pawn Funeral Checkmate entry with a similar two-chariot decoy sequence, credited to Tu Jingming's ''Xiangqi Dictionary'': 1. R7=6 K4+1 2. R8=6 K4+1 3. P6+1, followed by further soldier advances.<ref name="png-413" />

<xiangqi-player>
{
  "id": "duzuqinwang-two-rook-sacrifice",
  "initialFen": "3k1a3/2R1n4/1R2b4/9/3P5/2P3P2/2p6/3KBA3/2CNA4/9 w - - 0 1",
  "moves": [
    "c9d9",
    "d10d9",
    "b8d8",
    "d9d8",
    "d6d7",
    "d8d9",
    "d7d8",
    "d9d10",
    "d8d9",
    "d10e10",
    "d9d10"
  ],
  "initialPly": 0,
  "annotations": {
    "0": "Red to move. The source calls this the second 独卒擒王 study.",
    "1": "R7=6: the first chariot is offered on the general's file.",
    "3": "R8=6: the second chariot is offered on the same file.",
    "5": "P6+1: the soldier's first advance, with check.",
    "9": "P6+1 for the third time; the general must step across to the centre file.",
    "11": "P6+1: mate."
  },
  "caption": "The 4399 guide’s second 独卒擒王 example: two chariot sacrifices precede four soldier advances. Red to move. One red piece obscured by the source image’s watermark is omitted from this reconstruction."
}
</xiangqi-player>

The 360 Baike entry for <span lang="zh">三进兵</span> also gives a double-chariot sacrifice against a general whose own cannon occupies the palace centre; a 2024 lesson titled the Eunuch Chases the Emperor begins with a double-chariot sacrifice.<ref name="s002">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/6645089-6858904.html 三进兵]" [Three Soldier Advances].</ref><ref name="s063">七里河发布 (2024-06-23). "[http://www.toutiao.com/a7383319651797598732/ 象棋实战杀局技巧：太监追皇帝]" [Practical mating techniques: the Eunuch Chases the Emperor]. 今日头条 (toutiao.com).</ref>

=== Preparing the formation ===

In a 2025 combination study by <span lang="zh">橘梅象棋</span>, Red must prepare the soldier mate through a chariot, horse and cannon attack. The lesson explains that advancing the soldier too soon obstructs Red's own horse leg (<span lang="zh">憋马腿</span>), allowing the black general to escape. Red must reposition the horse; the presenter identifies <span lang="zh">八角马</span>, a diagonal attacking placement, as a suitable formation. The final combination ends in the cannon-and-soldier mate.<ref name="s015">橘梅象棋 (2025-12-17). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1qZq5B8EGQ 送佛归殿]" [Repatriation of the Buddha]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref>

<xiangqi-player>
{
  "id": "s015-training-study-start",
  "initialFen": "4kr3/9/3a1R3/r1P3N2/9/9/9/4Cc3/4p1p2/5K3 w - - 0 1",
  "moves": [],
  "initialPly": 0,
  "annotations": {
    "0": "Red to move. Starting position from the 2025 lesson by 橘梅象棋; no move sequence is supplied in this viewer."
  },
  "caption": "Starting position of 橘梅象棋’s 2025 combination study. Red to move. This board displays the starting position only."
}
</xiangqi-player>

=== Textbook variations ===

''Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods'' illustrates the method in figures 97–99. The first example starts R3=4 K6+1. Red's soldier then makes four advances and a sideways move before the chariot mates with R4=6. The alternative defence K6=5 is answered by P4+1 K5=4 R4=6.<ref name="wxf23" />

The second example sacrifices a chariot and horse before four soldier advances complete the mate: 1. R6+4 K5=4 2. H9+8 K4+1 3. H8-6 K4+1 4. P7=6 H2+4, followed by the P6+1 checks. The book explains that the sacrifices draw the general to the front of its palace, into the cannon-and-soldier attack.<ref name="wxf23" />

The final example begins R8=6 C8=4 R6+1 K4+1 and ends in what the book describes as simultaneous smothered mate by the horse and soldier.<ref name="wxf23" />

== Classical example ==

Png attributes figure 397 of his ''Lexicon'' to ''Elegant Pastime'' and suggests that the position may explain the checkmate's name.<ref name="png-445" /> The manual, first printed in 1570, was compiled by Xu Zhi and collated by Chen Xueli. Its ten volumes contain 550 named endgame positions in the first six volumes, solutions in volumes seven and eight, and the <span lang="zh">金鹏十八变</span> collection of complete games in the last two.<ref name="s043">东萍网友「667」供稿. "[http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/share/xiangqigupu/ 中国象棋古谱介绍]" [An introduction to the classical xiangqi manuals]. 东萍象棋网 (dpxq.com).</ref><ref name="s057">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/370475-392416.html 适情雅趣]" [Elegant Pastime].</ref> The 2024 ''Xiangqi for Chess Players'' lesson also attributes its example to ''Elegant Pastime''.<ref name="s089">Xiangqi for Chess Players (2024-04-29). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30qY8QFEerI Repatriation of the Buddha (28)]". Lesson 28 of the beginner series ''Xiangqi Chinese Chess – Beginner lessons for Chess Players''; 5:50.</ref>

The position reproduced below is indexed in modern transcriptions as volume 3, position 209, <span lang="zh">叁参见佛</span>. Its recorded result is a Red win, with the annotation <span lang="zh">红弃车马，兵胜</span> (Red sacrifices the chariot and horse; the soldier wins).<ref name="s049">东萍象棋网 (record entered 2007-07-26). "[http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/search/view_u_42921.html 《适情雅趣》卷三 第209局 叁参见佛]" [''Elegant Pastime'', volume 3, position 209]. Result 红胜 (Red wins), nine plies.</ref><ref name="s073">永乐象棋棋谱网 (upload 2016-08-29, byline 观棋不语). "[http://www.xiangqiqipu.com/Category/View-6860.html 第209局 叁参见佛]" [Position 209].</ref>

[[File:Elegant Pastime juan 3 position 209 woodblock page.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|alt=Woodblock page with the title 參參見佛 above a xiangqi diagram and a six-character result annotation below it.|''Elegant Pastime'', volume 3, position 209, printed as 參參見佛. Peking University Library copy, digitised as CADAL02095149. The annotation reads 白棄車馬卒勝: “White sacrifices the chariot and horse; the soldier wins”.<ref name="s078">识典古籍 (shidianguji.com). "[https://www.shidianguji.com/book/CADAL02095147/chapter/1lb2p15cdyipg 《适情雅趣》影像本 CADAL02095147]" [''Elegant Pastime'', digitised copy CADAL02095147]. Chapter text of a Qing-era Dunhua Huaide Hall printing.</ref>]]

<xiangqi-player>
{
  "id": "elegant-pastime-209",
  "initialFen": "4ka3/3Rn4/4b1r2/N1p6/1nP6/9/9/3C5/5r1p1/4K3c w - - 0 1",
  "moves": [
    "d9d10",
    "e10d10",
    "a7b9",
    "d10d9",
    "b9d8",
    "d9d8",
    "c6d6",
    "b6d5",
    "d6d7"
  ],
  "initialPly": 0,
  "annotations": {
    "0": "Red to move. Red sacrifices the chariot and the horse before the soldier decides the game.",
    "1": "R6+1: the chariot is offered on the general's file.",
    "3": "H9+8: the horse gives check from the side.",
    "9": "P6+1: the soldier's one advance, the last move of the recorded line."
  },
  "caption": "Elegant Pastime, volume 3, position 209, 叁参见佛 (printed 參參見佛). Red sacrifices the chariot and horse. The recorded line ends after the soldier’s first forward move; Png adds a continuation to mate."
}
</xiangqi-player>

The recorded line ends at 5. P6+1, the soldier's first forward move after 4. P7=6. Png explicitly distinguishes the ancient manual's stopping point from his added continuation: 5. ... K4-1 6. P6+1 K4-1 7. P6+1 K4=5 8. P6+1, ending in mate. His opening move is R6+1, whereas the federation manual's second example begins R6+4.<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="png-446" /><ref name="wxf23" /> The historical puzzle is catalogued under <span lang="zh">叁参见佛</span>; Png discusses the mating method under <span lang="zh">送佛归殿</span>.<ref name="s073" /><ref name="png-445" />

A Kangxi-era Dunhua Huaide Hall woodblock edition of ''Elegant Pastime'' is held by Lanzhou Municipal Library. A 2022 library account records its inclusion in Gansu's provincial register of precious ancient books in 2013. The National Central Library's union catalogue also records a Kangxi-era copy in the Palace Museum library.<ref name="s085">兰州市文化和旅游局 (2022-12-30). "[https://www.toutiao.com/article/7182912708210295300/ 【馆员晒古籍（八）】省级珍贵古籍·清康熙刻本《适情雅趣十卷》]" [Librarians display rare books VIII: the Kangxi imprint of ''Elegant Pastime'']. 今日头条 (toutiao.com); source credited to 兰州市图书馆.</ref><ref name="s083">國家圖書館（臺北）古籍與特藏文獻資源. "[https://rbook.ncl.edu.tw/NCLSearch/Search/SearchResult 古籍聯合目錄：適情雅趣]" [Union catalogue of rare books: ''Elegant Pastime''].</ref>

== Related pawn methods ==

Png's Pawn Funeral Checkmate entry includes smothered pawn mates as well as the advancing-pawn examples. It also illustrates Black mating with a sideways P3=4 or a forward P4+1.<ref name="png-414" /> His Pawn Triple Advancement Attack entry gives an example attributed to the 1997 World Xiangqi Championships, introduced through a chariot move and an advance by a central pawn. In that entry, the supporting piece distinguishes the named mating forms: cannon support produces Repatriation of the Buddha, while general or chariot support produces Pawn Funeral Checkmate.<ref name="png-416" />

== Instruction ==

Chinese teaching series present the pattern among basic mating methods: <span lang="zh">象棋-老云</span>'s 2020 course lists it as lesson 30, and a 2025 series by <span lang="zh">爱下棋的冉帅</span> teaches Three Soldier Advances among thirty-four basic methods.<ref name="s011">象棋-老云 (2020-03-14). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV13E411V715 基本杀法第30课：送佛归殿]" [Basic mating methods, lesson 30: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref><ref name="s013">爱下棋的冉帅 (2025-05-27). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1NajdzoEBU 象棋34种基础杀法之三进兵]" [34 basic mating methods: Three Soldier Advances]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref> A 2019 report by Sergej Korchitskij and Andrei Kaspiarovich documents a Russian-language introductory course whose ninth lesson includes both <span lang="zh">送佛归殿</span> and <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span>.<ref name="wxf-development">Sergej Korchitskij and Andrei Kaspiarovich (2019). 《[https://www.wxf-xiangqi.org/images/hangzhou-chess/0102_29_chinese_version2019_.pdf 后苏联空间下中国象棋的发展]》 [The development of xiangqi in the post-Soviet region]. Chinese-language report for the Hangzhou Branch of the China Chess Academy, 2019 Chess Culture Research Centre “8+X” project. Minsk. pp. 13–15, especially p. 15. Hosted by the World Xiangqi Federation.</ref>

A 2019 walkthrough of endgame-challenge level 79 in Tencent's ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' describes a chariot sacrifice that establishes Repatriation of the Buddha, followed by soldier advances. The app also offers courses and exercises in basic mating methods.<ref name="ttx79">无何有色 (2019-11-28). "[https://jingyan.baidu.com/article/7f766daf76c84c0100e1d004.html 天天象棋第79关如何过，象棋杀法送佛归殿]" [How to pass ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' level 79: the Repatriation of the Buddha mate]. 百度经验 (jingyan.baidu.com).</ref><ref name="ttx">Tencent. "[https://qqgame.qq.com/app/gamedetail_11500.shtml 天天象棋]" [Tian Tian Xiangqi]. QQ Games.</ref>

The 2024 ''Xiangqi for Chess Players'' beginner series devotes lesson 28 to the method, explaining the chariot and horse sacrifices and the finishing soldier advance.<ref name="s089" /> Chinese Chess Out Loud's ''Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained'' (2026) states that it follows ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' material for student level 3. Its Repatriation section, beginning at 3:15:14, presents seven examples: direct soldier advances behind a cannon; preparation to bring the soldier into position; use of the defender's own pieces to restrict the general or to provide a cannon screen; general support; and a final mate combining the soldier's check with a discovered horse check.<ref name="s095" />

== Other uses of the name ==

The Chinese name <span lang="zh">送佛归殿</span> is also used in Go. The 360 Baike entry describes it as a method of capturing stones when a ladder (<span lang="zh">征子</span>) is unfavourable. A 2021 Go lesson uses the name for a capturing puzzle involving liberties.<ref name="s001" /><ref name="s016">下围棋的林大个 (2021-07-21). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1HV411p72e 有趣的围棋~送佛归殿]" [Amusing Go: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref> The phrase also appears in a 2023 column title about the Chinese trick-taking card game <span lang="zh">双升</span>.<ref name="s037">知乎专栏 (2023-01-08). "[https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/597415057 双升实用技术：漏一手与送佛归殿]" [Practical technique in Double Upgrade: the missed move and Repatriation of the Buddha].</ref>

== Notation ==

The examples use WXF notation alongside Chinese move names. File numbers are counted from each player's own side. In Chinese notation, <span lang="zh">进</span> indicates a forward move, <span lang="zh">退</span> a backward move and <span lang="zh">平</span> a sideways move. Thus 车八平六, written R8=6 in WXF notation, moves the chariot from file eight to file six.<ref name="s036">光环助手 (2023-02-03). "[https://www.ghzs.com/ttxq/1708 术语讲解 天天象棋 车八平六是什么意思]" [Terminology: what does 车八平六 mean?]. 光环助手 (ghzs.com).</ref>

In these WXF lines, R denotes a chariot, H a horse, C a cannon, P a soldier and K a general; + indicates an advance, - a retreat and = a sideways move. The numbers identify the starting file and the destination file or distance moved, according to the piece and direction of movement. Each side uses its own file numbers.<ref name="notation-source">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Notation in Xiangqi", pp. 385–386. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Child Worships Buddha]]
* [[Elbow horse]]
* [[Secrets Inside the Orange]]

== References ==

<references responsive="1" />

[[Category:Xiangqi mating patterns]]
[[Category:Xiangqi terminology]]