Fa-Yi Chong-De Guang-Hui Association

BACKGROUND

I-Kuan Tao (also known as Yi-Guan Dao) (hereinafter referred to as “IKT”) is a modern faith based on the belief in Tao (or Dao), the eternal source. The Chinese words “I-Kuan Tao” can be roughly translated as the Principles from One Unity. IKT embodies the truths inherited from the teachings of Lao Tzu, Confucius and Buddha, which are the same truths taught by some other spiritual and philosophical traditions. From Lao Tzu comes the reliance on harmony of people and nature, from Confucius comes the appreciation of good deeds and behaviours and from Buddha comes the general concern for the masses and delivering all from suffering.

The modern movement of IKT was established by Zhong-Yi Lu, the 17th Patriarch of the later stage of the East Tao Orthodoxy. In 1930, his disciples Guang-Bi Zhang and Hui-Ming Sun became the 18th Patriarchs to carry on the Tao Orthodoxy. In order to preach the great Tao and reveal enlightenment to all humanity, the 18th Patriarchs established and taught the Principles of the Tao as follows:

1. To venerate Heaven and Earth.
2. To revere the divine beings.
3. To be patriotic and responsible.
4. To be virtuous and courteous.
5. To honor the parents.
6. To value the teachers.
7. To keep faith with friends.
8. To live harmoniously with neighbours.
9. To discard the bad and seek the good.
10. To clarify the Five Relationships (human relationships between sovereign and minister, parents and children, husband and wife, between siblings and between friends) and the Eight Virtues (filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, truthfulness, courtesy, righteousness, integrity and a sense of shame).
11. To spread the teachings of the Five Religions (recognize, as valid, all significant spiritual or philosophical traditions that have the potential to uplift and inspire people to do good).
12. To follow the ancient practice of the Four Ethics (courtesy, righteousness, integrity and a sense of shame), the Mainstays (between sovereign and minister, parents and children, husband and wife), and the Constant Virtues (benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and truthfulness).
13. To cleanse the mind and purify the spirit.
14. To utilize the illusory world in cultivating the truth.
15. To restore the nature of the self.
16. To develop the perfection of conscience.
17. To establish oneself and help others in establishment.
18. To achieve goals and help others in achievement.
19. To bring the world into peace.
20. To transform hearts into goodness.
21. To hope for the world of Great Unity (a state of harmony, equality, fraternity and justice).

IKT identifies the common principles underlying Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam, and, in particular, applies the modern teachings of the Holy Scriptures composed with heavenly decree in its rites, ceremonies and instruction. IKT believes in a Heavenly Mater beyond all other gods, called Ming-ming Shang-ti (the God of Clarity), who gives birth to everyone’s true-self (i.e., the Tao within us). By enlightening individual’s Tao, the “increasing chaos” of modern times can be defeated by everyone’s Tao, and the world can live peacefully in harmony. Because IKT embraces principles of non-Chinese religions, it is not restricted to Chinese cultures. Although the Tao movement originated in twentieth-century China, it migrated in the early 50's to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and now is one of the most popular faiths in Taiwan. To accommodate the growing population and diverse cultural climate of Canada, the Fa-Yi Chong-De Guang-Hui Association (the “Association”) propagates the teachings of IKT (for example, the IKT ideals of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and faith) in Canada.