I-KUAN 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, Islam,
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
power 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.

At times, their activities are not restricted in the temple compounds. In Singapore, the very senior
members who hold the posts of "Tang Zhu", can convert the new comers in their own houses. The
main Singapore centre is located at Bukit Merah Central, and it is known as "Chong Hua Tong Tou Teck
Hwee Building". You can see the name of the building at the main gate. It is also stated that it is
"strictly for members". Their first centre was located at Upper Serangoon Road, and was demolished
recently. And there are many smaller temples or community welfare centres scattered around
Singapore. They are registered with Registry of Society as "Xin Jia Bo Zhong Hua Tang Dao De Hui"
(Sing Gah Ball Chong Hua Tong Tou Teck Hwee) and they also work hand-in-hand with "De Jiao"
founded by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society and also with Chee Hoon Kog Moral Promotion Society for
those community welfare services.

The other schools which are evolved from Xian Tian Tao, are Tung Shan She, Tien De Sheng Jiao, Tao
Yuan and Tzu Hui Tang. They are independent groups and do not share the same leadership.