Tian Tao
Tian Tao or I Kuan Tao is a modern, syncretic faith and the third
most popular religion in Taiwan. The Chinese words I Kuan Tao can
be roughly translated as the Religion of One Unity. It is a
religious doctrine that draws upon both traditional Chinese
teachings and each of the world's major religions. This religion
attempts to identify common principles underlying Taoism, Buddhism,
Christianity, ---censored---, Judaism and Hinduism. Tian Tao
believes that by uncovering a single set of universal truths, the
"increasing chaos" of modern times can be defeated and the world
can live peacefully in harmony. They believe in a God beyond all
other gods, called Ming-ming Shang-ti (the God of Clarity).
It may have its roots with the Bai Lian Jiao (White Lotus Sect)
which created several political unrests for both the Qing court
(1644 - 1911) and foreign powers, such as the British, French and
so forth who have seized the lands from the hands of the Qing court
since the Opium War. Bai Lian Jiao is closely related to the
Chinese Christian cult, Tai Ping Tian Guo, founded by Hong Xiu
Quan, in the late Qing dynasty. Hong Xiu Quan believed himself as
Jesus Christ's heavenly brother, which was sent to Earth by Lord
God to liberate Chinese people from imperial oppression. Lands were
belonged by Lord God and not the Qing court, hence poor and
uneducated peasants in ten of thousands accepted his teachings.
Heavenly King Yang Xiu Ching, the Minister of State for Tai Ping
Tian Guo, tried to seize the p[ower and authority of Emperor Hong
Xiu Quan. To legitimize his authority, he occasionally lapsed into
trances in which his voice supposedly became that of the Lord's. In
one of his trances, Heavenly King Yang Xiu Ching claimed that the
Lord demanded Hong Xiu Quan be whipped for kicking one of his
concubines. Emperor Hong Xiu Quan had Heavenly King Yang Xiu Ching
murdered by Wei Chang Hui, a Tai Ping Tian Guo general. The
followers of Heavenly King Yang Xiu Ching later formed the Bai Lian
Jiao.
Another source stated that Tian Tao was evolved from Xian Tian Tao
which was founded by 9th Patriarch Huang De Hui of the Shun Zhi
period of Qing Dynasty. Huang De Hui combined the three main belief
systems of China with a belief in the Wu Sheng Lao Mu (Great
Mother) to form Xian Tian Tao. Bodhidharma is credited as the 1st
Patriarch, the first five Chinese Chan Patriarchs are credited as
2nd to 6th Patriarchs. Bai Ma became the 7th Patriarch and the 8th
Patriarch is Luo Wei Qun. The lines of patriarch of Xian Tian Tao
continue into the present I Kuan Tao. The 15th Patriarch had made
some major changes in the formulas and goals of Xian Tian Tao. And
it is the 16th Patriarch Liu Ching Xu renamed the group as I Kuan
Tao. The 18th Patriarch is the last in line of the
patriarchs.
The followers of I Kuan Tao claimed that it is a distinguished
lineage back over 2000 years when it begins from the ancient
Chinese astrolgers, emperors, Confucius, and so forth. From 18th
Ancient Patriarch Mencius, the lineage travels to the west, the
lineage began from Shakyamuni Buddha, Mahakashyapa to 28th Indian
Patriarch Bodhidharma. But the modern practice of Tian Tao, as we
know it today, was established about 70 years ago. In the 1930, Shi
Zueng Zhang Tian Ran and Shi Mu Sun Hui Ming, became the 18th
Patriarch and started their practice I Kuan Tao in Chi Nan City,
Shang Dong Province of China. Their work spread by word of mouth,
and by 1946 I Kuan Tao became prevalent among 36 provinces of
China. At the end of the Civil War in 1949, many followers in China
found their beliefs incompatible with Communist doctrines. This and
other reasons compelled large numbers of them to emigrate to
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and
the Philippines. Tian Tao quickly took root in these new lands,
spreading with its teachings Chinese culture and traditional family
values. By increasing the number of I Kuan Tao temples, they
believed that they are bringing the Buddhist "Western Paradise" to
earth and creating a world of brotherhood and universal love as
envisioned by Confucian teachings.
Today, they have about 4,500,000 followers in Taiwan, Korea and
Japan; about 2,000,000 followers in South East Asian countries; and
a growing number of adherents in countries like Canada, USA,
Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Paraguay,
Italy, France, Germany, Holland and United Kingdom. In Taiwan
alone, there are over 200 large and medium-sized temples and over
30,000 family shrines.
Presently, they claimed that the founder, 17th Patriarch Lu Zhong
Yi, was an incarnation of Maitreya. He has major influence and
impact on the present form of I Kuan Tao. The central teaching of
Tian Tao, is based on the initiation ceremony - a new formula on
the Triple Gem, namely: 1. Opening of Heavenly Eye (Dian Xuan Dao),
2.Oral Transmission of the Maitreya prayer (Chuan Ko Jue), and 3.
Hand Gestures (Jie He Tong). They believe that the recipient has
obtained the Tao and that his name has been reserved in the heaven
and erased from the lists in hell. Upon death, the recipient will
ascend straight to heaven without having to endure the cycles of
rebirth.
The followers of this organization must be a strict vegetarian. It
is said that they will not teach and liberate three groups of
people: they are butchers, fishermen and prostitutes.
Usually, their temples are painted in pure white. And they have
large followers in Asia. Their selection for potential followers
are very strict. Non-members of this organization are not allowed
to step into their temple compound. They can only enter the temple
compound through the invitation from the senior members. On the day
itself, the new recruit will make to vow to keep secrets on what
he/she has learnt from the temple. Why? Without asking of consert,
he/she is sent to receive the "secret" formula, so-called "Triple
Gem". If he/she has failed to keep the secrets, and leaked out
these secrets to non-members, he/she will be killed by the 5
heavenly thunders (Wu Lei Hong Ding).
There are many works written by this cult group. There are few
popular ones. For example:
1. "Maitreya Sutra" (Chinese: Mi Le Zhen Jing) is their own version
of Maitreyavyakarana Sutra. It is said that this scripture was
spoken by the Buddha. It talks about the benefit on having faith on
Maitreya Buddha. The retinue of protectors are non-Buddhist ones,
most of them are from the Chinese folk religions and not to mention
the main character, Lao Mu who is Wu Sheng Lao Mu in short.
2. "The Travelogue for the Hell" (Chinese: Ti Yu You Ji) revealed
by Ji Gong, a Chinese folk religion deity whose origin is unknown.
This work explains about hell.
These books can be found in the free book distribution corners in
the Chinese folk religion temples.
"The group is known as Ee Kwang Tao. I was invited to attend the
opening of one of their 'Holy Houses'. It was one of the strangest
rituals that i have ever witnessed. Following the ritual we were
invited to go before the 'Master' to receive initiation. I declined
on the grounds that I had been invited to attend the opening but
not to join anything. After a while they approached me again and
they said that the 'Master' was waiting for me and I MUST go before
the 'Master'. I replied that I must not do anything of the sort as
I am a traditional Buddhist and had no wish to join their
organisation. I thanked them for their hospitality and said that I
was leaving. As each person arrived they took their name. As I left
they asked me for my name as they said that the names were being
sent to heaven and, as I refused initiation, my name would have to
be struck off the list. I consulted a Chinese friend about my
experience and he immediately identified it as the Ee Kwang Tao
cult which, as was said, is proliferating in Australia. The
initiates are sworn to secrecy with the threat of harm to
themselves and their family if the secrets are revealed. This
dangerous cult bears no relation to Buddhism so beware of them."
Graeme Lyall (Australia), 1999.
to be continued...
