Bd7be167-3Cce-D206-8

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bd7be167-3Cce-D206-8 Chapter 5 The founder of the Weixin Shengjiao The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao - 56 - Chapter 5 The founder of the Weixin Shengjiao The founder of Weixin Shengjiao, Grand Master Hun Yuan It is better to demand the self than others. To depend on the self is not better than the dependence on the authentic self. Grand Master Hun Yuan instructed “If we do not comprehend, just like obtaining a light at night. Getting a spot light in a small darkroom you may see clearly inside of the room, but in the outside will not. Without enlightenment, life is empty. When is to lead a life?” - 57 - The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao Grand Master Hun Yuan, whose secular name is Chang Yi-Jui, was born in Chungliao Township, Nantou County in Taiwan in 1944. He is from a farming family. His temperament is honest and kind. He has been interested in and fascinated with the Dharma of Buddha so he practice those truths. He pursues the knowledge of cosmic nature, truth and lands with enthusiasm. He started his career from three dollars by using three copper coins to foretell people’s good and bad fortunes and to look for Feng Shui. With the divine force, he treated disease and helped the poor from plights. Although he obtained the Dharma from Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu, in his preaching of 33 years, he has always been humble, friendly, approachable, and full of smiles. His mind is broad as the sea. He devoted all his learning to people. He followed God’s will tirelessly preaching at home and abroad to disseminate Chinese culture I Ching Feng Shui Studies to every corner of the world. In 1963, Grand Master Hun Yuan graduated from Kuang-Hwa Senior Industrial Vocational High School in Taichung, Taiwan with a degree of Engineering Measurement. He had ever taught Engineering Measurement and later founded the first company of measurement in Taiwan, named Zhong-Xin measuring Limited. He managed the Government’s urban planning, road development, aerial measurement and land measurement. Then he participated in the development of the highway engineering measurement. Grand Master Hun Yuan had been quite - 58 - Chapter 5 The founder of the Weixin Shengjiao The origin of self-cultivation In 1982, he was seriously ill, but with the help from merciful Grand master of Taiwan ancestor and Bodhisattva of the Zhongshan Temple in Xinying Dist., Tainan City. Therefore, he entered the path of self-cultivation. He vowed before the Buddha that he would promote the world peace and give up lay affairs and practice self- cultivation. Thus, he recovered from his illness. Worship Buddha with body, mouth, and will In the recession of Dharma recession, people were restless. Grand master of Taiwan ancestor, Buddha and Bodhisattvas in order to protect the Pure Land, they command to open the “Southern Heaven Gate” to welcome the Buddha to decent to the earth. Grand master of Taiwan ancestor from the invisible world requested Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu descended to open the “Southern Heaven Gate.” After Grand Master Hun Yuan’s recovery, he was instructed by the Buddha’s to cultivate himself. Thus on the date of Bodhisattva’s becoming of god, he united with the Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu. Grand Master Hun Yuan used body, mouth and will to worship Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu. On July 23, he went to Mount Dawu in Taitung County with his fellow practitioners to open Southern Heaven Gate. Many of the Buddhas and the Nan-tien thirty-three immortals descended to guard people in the for Grand Master Hun Yuan and his fellow practitioners to walk and return home. We should have common people in mind. Do not cause human catastrophes and had to encourage people for self-cultivation.” Grand Master Hun Yuan kept those words in mind. Since then, he started to turn the world peace Falun with the Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu. He began to use I Ching and Feng Shui heart method to save the public. He has repeatedly reminded people to cultivate for the - 59 - The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao country, and pray for people. His Dharma relies on the mind. Only the good heart, mercy, caring can save human beings, so he encouraged people to cultivate themselves. Grand Master Hun Yuan in Hun Yuan Bao Zhao Jue Sutra stated, “My flesh was born by my parents but affected by the laws of disasters. Illness urged me to cultivate myself. Thanks to the salvation of Grand master of Taiwan ancestor, I was rescued. With the help of Buddha, the unity of Heaven and Human was achieved. Only Buddha’s wisdom is eternal. “He added, “Hun Yuan has hoped for the world peace and harmony since 1983 when he began to cultivate himself. Thanks to the force of Buddha Dharma holy Bodhisattvas, I never relaxed my will for twenty years. With the help of people, Heavenly gods and Hun Yuan’s idea could be realized. Practice altruism with what he has learned In 1983, on the Lantern Festival, Grand Master Hun Yuan gave the name of “Yi Yao She” to save the world. He practiced what he had learned and applied I Ching and Feng Shui Studies with the help of Buddha, guiding people at Wuxuan 5th street in Taichung, Taiwan. He answered people’s doubts and guided them to meditate at home, so they could make their mind settled and further choose the bright path. In 1984 “Yi Yao She” was renamed as “Shennong Temple” in which he saved beings in the space of yin and yang and took the oath to save people. - 60 - Chapter 5 The founder of the Weixin Shengjiao In 1984, on October 12, following Hong Jun Lao Chu’s order, he changed its name to “Jing Siou Yuan.” He hoped that through diligent self-cultivation, repentance and Grand Master Hun Yuan. Since then, he began to help people by not only I Ching and Feng Shui but also Buddha’s power. He treated diseases. He hoped to purify body and mind in order to be with the Buddhas. He used Buddhist wisdom to lead the public and taught them the idea, “the blessing comes from the self.” That is “self- examination, repentance, practice” as a self-encouragement to achieve self-cultivation. He promised that following Buddhist compassion, he would serve people in order to repay the favor of Buddhas and to achieve world peace. In 1988, due to the increasing number of believers, the “Jing Siou Yuan” is not enough, so he raised funds and purchased a Feng Shui treasure land in Nantou County. During these thirty-three years, Grand Master Hun Yuan used to traditional - 61 - The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao Chinese culture: I Ching and Feng Shui the self for the country, pray for people, build temples, protect the earth, do social services, dismiss misfortunes and promote the Chinese cultural Orthodoxy. He fused Daoism with hundred of Chinese thoughts. In particular, he widely disseminated Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu’s heart method. I Ching and Feng Shui Studies happy, and they were willing to believe and follow his ways to pursue the perfection of life. That is a representation of “A pure Buddhist world.” In October 1989, he established a temple, named Hsien Fo Temple on Chan-Chi mountain. In November 1990, the Amitabha Lecture Hall on Hsien Fo Temple was established and opened. Since then, it fostered many talents. The lecturers were trained here. In October 2012, he was nominated for the candidate of the Nobel peace prize. - 62 -.
Recommended publications
  • The Social Economic and Environmental Impacts of Trade
    Journal of Modern Education Review, ISSN 2155-7993, USA March 2019, Volume 9, No. 3, pp. 161–168 Doi: 10.15341/jmer(2155-7993)/03.09.2019/002 Academic Star Publishing Company, 2019 http://www.academicstar.us Using Social Innovation to Implement Weixin Shengjiao Doctrine in Lifelong Education Li-Yueh Chen, Chen-Mei Li (Weixin Shengjiao College, Taiwan) Abstract: In the past decade, the concept of social innovation has been constantly looked at and examined by scholars, for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations as well as the government, and has been widely explored and applied. Taiwan is facing the problem of an aging population and low birth rate. It is therefore of the essence to be able to maintain harmony and stability in society. This study conducts individual case studies to explore how the new religious group, Weixin Shengjiao applies the concept of social innovation to implement its doctrine through lifelong education, and to help the government create a harmonious society. The research found that the central tenet of the Weixin Shengjiao is the fusion of I Ching and Feng Shui, with the thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism in Chinese culture, to pass on and further promote Chinese culture in modern society. In 1994, the founder of Weixin Shengjiao, Grand Master Hun Yuan, created a lifelong education platform known as I Ching University. The university has three major foci, which implements the core essences of the Weixin Shengjiao of moral, life, environmental, filial piety and cultural education. Based on the local humanistic, social and economic features, I Ching University uses practical, current, realistic innovations for widespread distribution, in order to nurture talents and create a harmonious society.
    [Show full text]
  • The Doctrines and Dogma of Weixin Shengjiao the New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao
    Chapter 3 The doctrines and dogma of Weixin Shengjiao The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao The sect is established by heaven and earth. The principles were established by the sages. Weixin Shengjiao learns the laws of Heaven and Earth and practices them. Ancestor Fuxi Shi Lady of the Nine Heavens) Three Chinese ancestors Chiyou Emperor Yellow Emperor Yan Emperor Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu Grand Master Hun Yuan Eternities - 32 - Chapter 3 The doctrines and dogma of Weixin Shengjiao Ancestor Fuxi Shi makes his first draw as Heaven; second as Earth. Wuji is considered as the Primordial (earlier heaven eight guas), so it is emptiness. Then Jiutian Xuannu inherited the knowledge. Tai chi is the Manifested (later heaven eight guas). Two polarities give rise to four phenomena. Then the knowledge of Bagua was passed to Three Chinese Ancestors Yellow Emperor and Yan Emperor. The Original Bagua is the knowledge of Feng Shui, describing mountains and rivers or practicing divination. Chiyou Emperor created the Later Heaven Nine Places and Eight Guas It is three Yuan Nine Yuan . Then the successor of Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu followed. Wang Chan Lao Chu and Grand Master Hun Yuan united and passed the knowledge to modern time. That is the reason why it is difficult for people to see the mystery of I Ching Feng Shui, and now it appeared after so many disasters. Weixin Shengjiao honors Wang Chan Lao Chu and considered him as the leader of Tian-jie (the ecclesial world) while Grand Master Hun Yuan is a master in mankind’s world.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancestor Culture Be Held in the Religious Worship Rituals by Weixin Shengjiao
    Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Vol.8, No. 5, pp.1-14, May 2020 Published by ECRTD-UK Print ISSN: 2052-6350(Print), Online ISSN: 2052-6369(Online) HOW TO PROMOTE THE ETHNIC HARMONY OF THE CHINESE THREE- ANCESTOR CULTURE BE HELD IN THE RELIGIOUS WORSHIP RITUALS BY WEIXIN SHENGJIAO Chen-Mei Li Author Affiliation, Weixin Shengjiao College Li-Yueh Chen Weixin Shengjiao College Kuo-Ching Shih Weixin Shengjiao College Ming-Hsien Wang Weixin Shengjiao College ABSTRACT: The Chinese people is a people with long and profound history. It can be dated to Kunlun civilization, Fuxishi, Nuwa and Chinese Three-Ancestor, Huangdi, Yandi, and Chiyou. I Ching lays for the philosophy of thought in Chinese ethnic culture. What were Chinese religious beliefs before Buddhism reached China? War and worship affairs have been considered magnificent in Chinese dynasties. Tracing back to the battle in Zhuolu 5,000 years ago, which was a vital page in Chinses history, have the worship rituals for the death been perfected now? This part of research is missing in the Eastern religious studies. Therefore, this study adopts the method of qualitative longitudinal research to collect the ritual texts of worshipping ancestors from 2004 to 2017 as research materials of this study. The research results show that the religious interpretation of ethnic harmony in Chinese Three-Ancestor culture expressed in the worship rituals held by Weixin Shengjiao. KEYWORDS: Gui Gu mind method, ancestor worship ceremony, centre of the cross, vertical and horizontal alliances, spiritual oration, ancestor worship ceremony, INTRODUCTION The Chinese people is a people with long and profound history.
    [Show full text]
  • ACE2018 44074.Pdf
    The Root of Spiritual Education: Chinese Culture’s Guigu Spiritual Method Chen-Mei Li, Weixin Shengjiao College, Taiwan Li-Yueh Chen, Weixin Shengjiao College, Taiwan The Asian Conference on Education 2018 Official Conference Proceedings Abstract Spiritualism is the faith or belief that an individual maintains concerning life’s ultimate value. Out of the world’s four ancient civilizations, only the Chinese culture has remain fairly unbroken in its continuity, and the I Ching can be found at the root of Chinese philosophy and thoughts. All that governs Chinese culture can be traced back to I Ching, which describes the laws of harmony for the universe at large, and is the path for returning spirituality to the empty space (akasadhatu). I Ching originated from the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors, inherited by the master of wisdom Wan Chan Lao Chu and nurtured into the Guigu culture. The spiritual method is the origin, which is the root and source of I Ching, truth and wisdom, is both of Master Wang and Mentor Guigu, and is the awareness of the self. Spirituality is gained through the method. The truth from the universe’s law of harmony is our origin and the infinite depth of our spirituality. The origin and root of spirituality is also the law of harmony, under the pseudonym of Guigu. The Guiguzui spiritual method using I Ching teachings, a superior spiritual method to true peace where man is taught peace can only be achieved through peace. This is the key to why the energy of Chinese culture has continued and flourished through time.
    [Show full text]
  • 5C77a669-7Fea-94D3-3
    Chapter 2 The origin of Weixin Shengjiao The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao - 22 - Chapter 2 The origin of Weixin Shengjiao Weixin Shengjiao was established in the 21st century in Taiwan. It helps dismiss misfortunes, cultivates people’s minds, and prays for the country and people. Based on altruism, it attempts to create a true peaceful world, a so called Weixin Pure Land. Weixin’s method is that mind is everything. Sages establish religions to inspire our inner potentials and wisdom. - 23 - The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao The Chinese culture orthodoxy, I Ching has spread for seven thousand four hundred years since Fuxi invented the Bagua, second as earth and positions man in between. Therefore, the rules and laws have established and all creatures have generated. - 24 - On August 14, 2005, Grand Master Hun Yuan paid tribute to the Bagua Founder, Fuxi by leading multitude of his disciples to the Fuxi Temple at Fuxi’s hometown Tianshui. Master Hun Yuan quoted Fuxi’s words to teach his disciples, “Fuxi invented Bagua to help people to understand the changes of heaven and earth. Heaven and earth contain air (Chi), number (shu), and appearance (xiang). Chi is heaven and light. Number is from 1 to 9 and 0. Xiang can be physical body, four seasons, or 24 lunar seasons. Xiang includes Fen shui. Chi, number, Xiang circles to reach natural force and form light (Zhenqi), which is the origin of life and mind. It is also what Fuxi does, A line becomes Heaven. Merging heaven, earth and human, life will be fully bright.
    [Show full text]
  • Feng Shui Comentario [LT1]
    Feng Shui Comentario [LT1]: Traducción: Li-Ching Wang Índice Introducción. Sobre la autora y sus maestros. El origen del feng-shui. ¿Cómo son los auténticos maestros? Long Xue - el Nido de Dragón. Conceptos equivocados sobre Feng-Shui. Feng-Shui y sus beneficios. ¿Cómo se hace un estudio del Feng-Shui? Reglas básicas del Feng-Shui. Ejemplos. Consejos Prácticos. ¿Por qué no funciona? Varios ejemplos de los "supuestos" curas o efectos de Feng Shui que no funcionan, y el por qué. Preguntas más frecuentes. Artículos. Feng Shui Introducción El Feng Shui está de moda, pero los occidentales todavía no saben realmente de qué se trata. Algunos lo confunden con "Geobiología", "Geomancias", "Radiestesia", o "Geoacupuntura", otros con "tradición o costumbre china"; algunos piensan que se trata de "mapa de Ba Gua", otros piensan que se trata de "decoración con aire o estilo chino"; algunos creen en "feng shui para hemisferio sur", otros en "feng shui para occidentes"; algunos lo clasifican como "arte adivinatoria", otros como "medicina alternativa", incluso algunos lo consideran como "religión y espiritualidad" o "fenómenos paranormales". Existe mucha información en Internet sobre este tema, pero la mayoría está retraducida, incompleta, incorrecta, y le falta lo más importante: información de primera mano de expertos nativos para el mundo hispano hablante. Por tanto, el objetivo de esta página es divulgar conceptos correctos de esta ciencia milenaria china para evitar engaños y timos que se cometen aprovechando el desconocimiento de la gente con buena fe. Feng Shui no es un negocio con fines de lucro, sino que es una forma para ayudar a mejorar la vida de los demás.
    [Show full text]
  • Resolving Grievances to Make Life Harmonious”
    $ The Journal of CESNUR $ A Comparison Between Daesoon Jinrihoe’s “Resolution of Grievances for Mutual Beneficence” and Weixin Shengjiao’s “Resolving Grievances to Make Life Harmonious” Taesoo Kim Seoul National University [email protected] ABSTRACT: The article compares two parallel concepts, “resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence” in Daesoon Jinrihoe, one of Korea’s largest new religions, and “resolving grievances to make life harmonious” in the Taiwanese new religion Weixin Shengjiao. Exploring the two concepts show their similarities, as both are grounded in a sacred history and emphasize ancient grievances of ancestral times. Differences, however, also emerge. Daesoon Jinrihoe’s resolution of grievances is based on the idea of the “Reordering of the Universe (Heaven and Earth),” performed by the Supreme God, Sangje, incarnated on Earth as Kang Jeungsan (1871–1909). Weixin Shengjiao places more emphasis on the individual solutions of grievances based on the practical aspects of I Ching, i.e. divination and Feng Shui. Both religions see themselves as including the Three Teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, but Weixin Shengjiao seems to rely more on Buddhist sources, while Daesoon Jinrihoe, which also has some Buddhist features, seems to share more elements with Daoism and Confucianism. KEYWORDS: Daesoon Jinrihoe, Kang Jeungsan, Reordering of the Universe, Resolution of Grievances for Mutual Beneficence, Weixin Shengjiao, Resolving Grievances to Make Life Harmonious, Hun Yuan, I Ching, Chinese Folk Religion, Weixinism. Introduction On January 1, 2017, I went to Taipei’s Linkou Stadium to participate in the 12th United Chinese Nationality Ancestors Worship Ceremony, organized by the Taiwanese new religion Weixin Shengjiao.
    [Show full text]
  • The Supranational Messianism of Weixin Shengjiao: Unifying the Two Chinas Thanks to the Celebration of Mythical Ancestors
    $ The Journal of CESNUR $ The Supranational Messianism of Weixin Shengjiao: Unifying the Two Chinas Thanks to the Celebration of Mythical Ancestors Bernadette Rigal-Cellard Université Bordeaux Montaigne [email protected] ABSTRACT: Weixin Shengjiao (WS) sees itself as helping Taiwan fulfill a paramount mission: the cultural and mystical reunification of the two Chinas to solve cross-Strait tensions and promote peace and prosperity in the country and in the world. This article focuses on one specific ritual WS has elaborated to this end. The Ancestors’ Ceremony, held on January 1, 2017, is analyzed to demonstrate how WS astutely combines contemporary Taiwanese politics with the Three Teachings, through the grandiose celebration of the three mythical Chinese ancestors, the Yellow Emperor Huang Ti, the Yan Emperor, and the so far estranged Emperor Chiyou, along with the deified Chinese sage Guiguzi. KEYWORDS: Chinese Mythical Ancestry, Resolving Old Grievances, National Messianism, Cross- Strait Issues, Weixin Shengjiao, Weixinism, Hun Yuan. Introduction Weixin Shengjiao (WS) came to me as a gift in December 2016, when I was invited by its Grand Master Hun Yuan, together with J. Gordon Melton, Massimo Introvigne, and several scholars from Korea, to attend the impressive Ancestors’ Ceremony held on January 1, 2017, in Taipei, and the many events of The International New Religion Interaction Forum of Weixin Shengjiao in the following days. Our hosts took us to visit several of their temples and holy places in the Taipei area, in Taichung, Nantou, and Yilan. Since it is a virtually unknown religion in the West (with the exception of Introvigne 2016; 2017), this paper intends to locate it on the map of world religions.
    [Show full text]
  • 0D8ad68c-A34a-36D0-3
    Chapter 9 Weixin Shengjiao’s educational system The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao - 120 - Chapter 9 Weixin Shengjiao’s educational system The Origin of I Ching University In development of the Chinese history, the Emperor Wen of Han invented the doctor of “book” and doctor of “poem.” Emperor Jing of Han had the doctor of “Chun-qiu”; Emperor Wu of Han particularly respected Confucianism, so he set up the doctors of the “I” and “Li.” Combing the previous two intelligentsias of Chinese books, he set up intelligentsias of five classics. I Ching then which scholars and royals had to learn. Emperor Han Wu, in Yuan Shuo fifth year (124 B.C.), established in the highest educational I Ching thus became an important classic, deeply affecting those who were at school. Therefore, I Ching has ancient roots. Taiwan I Ching University was founded in 1994. The first I Ching class has lasted for 22 years. It is a pioneer of lifelong learning in Taiwan. The founder of the University, Grand Master Hun Yuan considered I Ching as a lighthouse for world peace. In 1985, Grand Master Hun Yuan mentioned in his article “the Dharma of I Ching” that Zou, Han, Tang and Qing dynasties, the most prosperous dynasties in Chinese five thousand year history ruled the country with the I Ching.” - 121 - The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao He said, “Things are changing, and the Earth and other planets are in the line of changing laws. All are changing, so nature has the name of “variation.” At the end of change is the constant “I” (I Ching), which is moderation and balance.
    [Show full text]
  • What-Is-Chi.Pdf
    1 What Is Chi? by Master Max Gaofei Yan Jude Brady Smallwood 2 This book is presented to you for informational purposes only and is not a substitution for any professional advice. The contents herein are based on the views and opinions of the authors and all associated contributors. Endless Forest Publisher West Palm Beach, Florida © 2013 by Max Gaofei Yan and Jude Brady Smallwood All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, used in a revival system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, digital, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher. Second Printing Edition July, 2014. eBook printing January, 2016. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not be, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Printed in the United States of America The complete book of What Is Chi?/ Yan-Smallwood ISBN 978-0-9890737-0-7 3 Table of Contents About the Authors About Gyokukan Morita Prologue Forward Reading Tips Chapter 1 - What Is Chi? 1.1 What Is Chi So, Just Exactly What Is Chi? Where Does Chi Come From? 1.2 How Can You Sense the Presence of Chi? Three Basic Feelings The Difference Between Strong and Weak Chi Circulation Other Chi Sensations 1.3 How to Strengthen Chi Circulation 1.4 The
    [Show full text]
  • Religious Education of Lifelong Learning in Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao I Ching University
    Journal of Education & Social Policy Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2019 doi:10.30845/jesp.v6n2p8 Religious Education of Lifelong Learning in Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao I Ching University Li-Yueh Chen, PhD Weixin Shengjiao College Chen-Mei Li, PhD Weixin Shengjiao College No.667, Ln. 705, Wenhua Rd., Nantou City Nantou County 540, Taiwan Abstract From the mid of the 1980s to 1990s, the political and economic environment have been found an important change in Taiwan. Therefore, an embryonic form of new religion named Weixin Shengjiao was found in 1983. In 1994, The President of Republic of China Mr. Lee Teng-Hui declared the educational policy to address the importance of lifelong education. The founder of Weixin Shengjiao, Grand master Huan Yuan responded to UNESCO and the national educational policy for lifelong learning. In 1994, I Ching University was established as a pioneer of lifelong education in Taiwan. However, declining birthrate and population aging have impacted the education industry in Taiwan. This study uses the case study method and resource based view theory to find out the competitive advantages of I Ching University and explores how it offers an ideal religious education of lifelong learning to fulfill the vision of world peace. Keywords: Religion education, Lifelong learning, I-Ching, Feng-Shui 1. Introduction In the mid-1980s to the 1990s in Taiwan, there has been a critical change in the political and economic environment. In 1991, the President of the Republic of China, Mr. Lee Teng-hui, declared the abolition of the “Temporary Provisions Effective during the Period of Communist Rebellion”.
    [Show full text]
  • Weixin Shengjiao: an Introduction
    $ The Journal of CESNUR $ Weixin Shengjiao: An Introduction Massimo Introvigne Center for Studies on New Religions [email protected] ABSTRACT: Weixin Shengjiao, founded in the early 1980s by Chang Yi-Jui, later known as Grand Master Hun Yuan, is one of the largest Taiwanese new religions, with some 300,000 members in Taiwan and abroad. This introduction places Weixin Shengjiao within the context of the religious effervescence that followed the end of the Martial Law period in 1987 in Taiwan. It shows how the movement’s success is due to its institutionalization of very popular forms of folk religion, and its emergence as an authoritative source of teachings about I Ching and Feng Shui, both techniques that interest a large number of Chinese in Mainland China, Taiwan, and the diaspora. Its doctrines are rooted in a sacred history of China and the world. The main challenge of Weixin Shengjiao is now how to expand internationally a movement so much rooted in Chinese mythology and practices. KEYWORDS: Weixin Shengjiao, Weixinism, New Religions in Taiwan, Hun Yuan, Taiwanese New Religious Movements. Introduction When I last visited Taiwan, in January 2017, I was told that the island is home to the largest number of new religions headquartered in a single country or territory in the whole world. I am not aware of statistics, and surely there are also hundreds of new religious movements in Korea, and even in two countries less studied by the specialists of the matter, Vietnam (Hoang 2017) and Indonesia (Makin 2016). At any rate, there is little doubt that Eastern Asia offers persuasive evidence that new religious movements continue to be born and prosper, and that hundreds of them are understudied or not studied at all by scholars.
    [Show full text]