Spiritual Daoism Either Side of the Taiwan Straits
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Recently the 25th Hengshan International Spiritual Daoism Forum was held in the Nanyue area of Hunan province, Mainland China. (Post dated December 5, 2011 - Translator). This brought together representatives of Spiritual Daoist practice from China, Hong Kong, Macau and from across the Taiwan Straits. At this meeting it was unanimously agreed that spiritual Daoism has its historical roots firmly within Mainland China, and that the Daoist practitioners of these four areas should work together to preserve the authentic teachings of spiritual Daoism for the benefit of future generations. This should be achieved in part by increased communication and co-operation between these four areas, so that an attitude of mutual support and encouragement can be developed.
Present were Huang Xinyang (黄信阳) the Vice President of the China Spiritual Daoism Association, Ma Zicai (马梓才) Director of the Prosperous Ocean Immortal Hall of Hong Kong, Wu Bingzhi (吴炳鋕) President of the Spiritual Daoism Association of Macau, and Zhang Cheng (张柽) President of the Taiwan Chinese Cultural Spiritual Daoism Federation. All these eminent leaders of the Daoist world came together to forge stronger national links between these different regions of China, and ensure that the Chinese people are well educated about spiritual Daoism, so that they develop and maintain a sense of love and respect for this very important aspect of Chinese health and longevity culture.
The Venerable Huang Xinyang was of the opinion that spiritual Daoism is the native religion of China, and that throughout the four regions and across the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, the population is comprised of Chinese people who have a cultural right to their own spirituality, and that all Chinese people should work together to encourage good education and the practice of spiritual Daoism. Although spiritual Daoism had spread to these four different regions, the fundamental teachings were essentially the same, despite the fact that each region has also developed local peculiarities. For instance, in Hong Kong, Daoists have developed philanthropy, in Taiwan ornate temples, and in Macau a strong Daoist faith amongst the people. Furthermore, in recent years representatives from these four regions have been visiting one another’s areas and exchanging Daoist knowledge and exploring their cultural differences. This is a good over-all development for spiritual Daoism.
Ma Zicai said that spiritual Daoism had played a unique role in the cultural development and history of Hong Kong. Spiritual Daoism has been at the fore-front of the protection and perpetuation of correct thinking (that relieves suffering) amongst the Chinese people throughout Hong Kong’s history. There has been a strong emphasis upon the Chinese people helping one another through philanthropic projects which has included the providing of education for the young and homes for the elderly, as well as the providing of medicines and the organising of medical treatment. There has also been the development of a philharmonic orchestra in Hong Kong that specialises only in the performance of Daoist music as a means to help people focus and relax. All these ongoing projects demonstrate the diversity of Hong Kong spiritual Daoism. All spiritual Daoist lineages in Hong Kong originated in the Mainland of China, and it is common knowledge that this is the home of not only Daoism, but of Buddhism as well. This is why the Hong Kong Daoist community will strive to make ever closer ties with Mainland China, and work towards further co-operation.
Macau may not be geographically large, but nevertheless it does possess a very vibrant spiritual Daoist tradition. Wu Bingzhi explained that for a very long time many people have migrated to Macau from Guangdong province, and brought with them their diverse Daoist beliefs. This diversity of beliefs has led to the establishment of the annual Macau Spiritual Daoism Festival, as well as other various regular Daoist folk activities, which are very popular and attract great numbers of both Chinese and foreign tourists each year. Daoists from Macau make regular visits to the Mainland of China, and often invite Mainland Chinese Daoist groups to visit Macau. Macau Daoists are very keen to build on this initiative to build closer links with China, and also to serve as a platform for the development of spiritual Daoism in the West, as non-Chinese Daoist students are very welcome in Macau.
Zhang Cheng stated straight away that spiritual Daoism is currently the most popular religion in Taiwan. He clarified this statement by explaining that there were around 10,000 large and small Daoist temples in Taiwan, serving around 10 million adherents. Spiritual Daoism has developed over thousands of years in China, and in that time has incorporated many different methods and beliefs, and because of this common culture that all Chinese people possess, spiritual Daoism is both local and national, and is the ideal vehicle to build a ‘common thinking’ on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. It is important that the Chinese essence of Daoism is never forgot, so that the Chinese people – both sides of the Taiwan Straits – can share in a common approach to a cultural identity that is uniting and not divisive. This is why Taiwan spiritual Daoism is determined to forge closer ties with Mainland Chinese Daoism and encourage a greater interaction through cultural exchanges. He finished by emphasising that spiritual Daoism has its historical roots within the Mainland of China, and that this is a fact that should not be forgotten, as all branches must return to their roots for nourishment.
These four eminent Daoist practitioners that all possess great virtue, agreed that spiritual Daoism should be preserved, and that its techniques should be studied, practiced, and where possible, improved for future generations. Although spiritual Daoist is a well-established and ancient body of knowledge, it is not static or stagnant in its approach to self-cultivation. There will always be new developments and conditions in society that must be acknowledged as unique, and where possible, integrated into the existing traditional body of work that comprises spiritual Daoist thought and practice. This is essentially a community-based project that is all-inclusive in its evolutionary direction that is premised upon the maintaining of a harmonious society full of healthy and long-living people. Zhang Cheng added that he wished to see the creation of a ‘World Spiritual Daoism Federation’ with its headquarters in the Mainland of China. This would serve as a focal point for all the Daoist groups and organisations in the world so that authentic Daoist knowledge and wisdom could be shared and preserved. This project would acknowledge the global spread of Daoism beyond the geographical borders of China.
Daojia, Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/8830018220111154309298/
海峡两岸道教
海峡两岸和港澳的四位道教界代表人士25日在湖南南岳衡山国际道教论坛上表示,大陆是道教的发源地,两岸四地道教界应携手合作,进一步加强交流与合作,共同弘扬道教文化,推动道教事业发展。
中国道教协会副会长黄信阳、香港蓬瀛仙馆理事长马梓才、澳门道教协会会长吴炳鋕、台湾中华道教总会理事长张柽联袂出席“四地论道”分论坛,介绍道教文化在两岸四地各自的发展状况,探讨如何加强沟通与交流、让道教文化凝聚中华儿女的心灵。
黄信阳道长认为,道教是中国土生土长的宗教,两岸四地都是中华儿女和炎黄子孙,应携手将道教事业发扬光大。虽然基本教理教义相同,但道教在两岸四地传播中也呈现出各自的特点,如香港道教界慈善事业发达;台湾道教宫观、信众很多;澳门道教与民俗结合紧密。近年来两岸四地道教界交流参访活动日益频繁,今后应进行更多交流合作,共同推动道教事业发展。
马梓才说,多年来,道教在香港扮演着独特的角色。香港道教界重视弘扬济世度人的思想,大力发展慈善事业,在教育、安老、赠医施药等方面做了很多工作;香港道教界还通过成立道乐团、举办道教音乐汇演等,以多样的形式向社会推广道教文化。道教源于中国深厚优良的文化传统,道教的根和祖庭都在祖国内地,香港道教界将进一步加强和内地的合作。
尽管澳门地方不大,但道教在澳门的传播有很长的历史。吴炳鋕说,澳门有很多广东移民,他们将传统的道教文化和信仰带入澳门。现在,澳门每年都举办道教文化节和道教民俗活动,吸引了大量海内外游客。“澳门道教界每年都组团来祖国内地拜访学习,也经常邀请内地道教界人士到澳门参访。我希望澳门能成为两岸四地甚至海外道教界交流的一个平台”。
张柽介绍说,道教是目前台湾最大的宗教,台湾有大大小小的道教宫观1万多座,粗略统计信众超过1000万。他认为,长期以来,中华儿女已经将道教的许多活动发展成为共同的生活宗教。作为中国土生土长的宗教,道教是能够联结海峡两岸人民“民族心理”和情感的重要纽带。
张柽说:“道教最大的功能就是集合中华民族的心灵,让中华儿女的心永远不要分开。”他经常鼓励台湾道教界人士组团来大陆交流参访,加强和大陆的联系。他说,众所周知,任何宗教都必须到它的本源所在地去朝圣。道教徒必须回到大陆,因为道教的故乡是在大陆。
四位高道大德都认为,应深入挖掘道教文化的和谐理念,进一步增进两岸四地道教界的合作,共同弘扬中华优秀传统文化。
张柽说,他现在最大的心愿就是成立“世界道教联合总会”,将总部设在道教发源地中国大陆,集合世界所有道教组织,向全球传播中国的古老智慧。
道家千峰先天派
千峰草堂: 赵明旺
Present were Huang Xinyang (黄信阳) the Vice President of the China Spiritual Daoism Association, Ma Zicai (马梓才) Director of the Prosperous Ocean Immortal Hall of Hong Kong, Wu Bingzhi (吴炳鋕) President of the Spiritual Daoism Association of Macau, and Zhang Cheng (张柽) President of the Taiwan Chinese Cultural Spiritual Daoism Federation. All these eminent leaders of the Daoist world came together to forge stronger national links between these different regions of China, and ensure that the Chinese people are well educated about spiritual Daoism, so that they develop and maintain a sense of love and respect for this very important aspect of Chinese health and longevity culture.
The Venerable Huang Xinyang was of the opinion that spiritual Daoism is the native religion of China, and that throughout the four regions and across the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, the population is comprised of Chinese people who have a cultural right to their own spirituality, and that all Chinese people should work together to encourage good education and the practice of spiritual Daoism. Although spiritual Daoism had spread to these four different regions, the fundamental teachings were essentially the same, despite the fact that each region has also developed local peculiarities. For instance, in Hong Kong, Daoists have developed philanthropy, in Taiwan ornate temples, and in Macau a strong Daoist faith amongst the people. Furthermore, in recent years representatives from these four regions have been visiting one another’s areas and exchanging Daoist knowledge and exploring their cultural differences. This is a good over-all development for spiritual Daoism.
Ma Zicai said that spiritual Daoism had played a unique role in the cultural development and history of Hong Kong. Spiritual Daoism has been at the fore-front of the protection and perpetuation of correct thinking (that relieves suffering) amongst the Chinese people throughout Hong Kong’s history. There has been a strong emphasis upon the Chinese people helping one another through philanthropic projects which has included the providing of education for the young and homes for the elderly, as well as the providing of medicines and the organising of medical treatment. There has also been the development of a philharmonic orchestra in Hong Kong that specialises only in the performance of Daoist music as a means to help people focus and relax. All these ongoing projects demonstrate the diversity of Hong Kong spiritual Daoism. All spiritual Daoist lineages in Hong Kong originated in the Mainland of China, and it is common knowledge that this is the home of not only Daoism, but of Buddhism as well. This is why the Hong Kong Daoist community will strive to make ever closer ties with Mainland China, and work towards further co-operation.
Macau may not be geographically large, but nevertheless it does possess a very vibrant spiritual Daoist tradition. Wu Bingzhi explained that for a very long time many people have migrated to Macau from Guangdong province, and brought with them their diverse Daoist beliefs. This diversity of beliefs has led to the establishment of the annual Macau Spiritual Daoism Festival, as well as other various regular Daoist folk activities, which are very popular and attract great numbers of both Chinese and foreign tourists each year. Daoists from Macau make regular visits to the Mainland of China, and often invite Mainland Chinese Daoist groups to visit Macau. Macau Daoists are very keen to build on this initiative to build closer links with China, and also to serve as a platform for the development of spiritual Daoism in the West, as non-Chinese Daoist students are very welcome in Macau.
Zhang Cheng stated straight away that spiritual Daoism is currently the most popular religion in Taiwan. He clarified this statement by explaining that there were around 10,000 large and small Daoist temples in Taiwan, serving around 10 million adherents. Spiritual Daoism has developed over thousands of years in China, and in that time has incorporated many different methods and beliefs, and because of this common culture that all Chinese people possess, spiritual Daoism is both local and national, and is the ideal vehicle to build a ‘common thinking’ on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. It is important that the Chinese essence of Daoism is never forgot, so that the Chinese people – both sides of the Taiwan Straits – can share in a common approach to a cultural identity that is uniting and not divisive. This is why Taiwan spiritual Daoism is determined to forge closer ties with Mainland Chinese Daoism and encourage a greater interaction through cultural exchanges. He finished by emphasising that spiritual Daoism has its historical roots within the Mainland of China, and that this is a fact that should not be forgotten, as all branches must return to their roots for nourishment.
These four eminent Daoist practitioners that all possess great virtue, agreed that spiritual Daoism should be preserved, and that its techniques should be studied, practiced, and where possible, improved for future generations. Although spiritual Daoist is a well-established and ancient body of knowledge, it is not static or stagnant in its approach to self-cultivation. There will always be new developments and conditions in society that must be acknowledged as unique, and where possible, integrated into the existing traditional body of work that comprises spiritual Daoist thought and practice. This is essentially a community-based project that is all-inclusive in its evolutionary direction that is premised upon the maintaining of a harmonious society full of healthy and long-living people. Zhang Cheng added that he wished to see the creation of a ‘World Spiritual Daoism Federation’ with its headquarters in the Mainland of China. This would serve as a focal point for all the Daoist groups and organisations in the world so that authentic Daoist knowledge and wisdom could be shared and preserved. This project would acknowledge the global spread of Daoism beyond the geographical borders of China.
Daojia, Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/8830018220111154309298/
海峡两岸道教
海峡两岸和港澳的四位道教界代表人士25日在湖南南岳衡山国际道教论坛上表示,大陆是道教的发源地,两岸四地道教界应携手合作,进一步加强交流与合作,共同弘扬道教文化,推动道教事业发展。
中国道教协会副会长黄信阳、香港蓬瀛仙馆理事长马梓才、澳门道教协会会长吴炳鋕、台湾中华道教总会理事长张柽联袂出席“四地论道”分论坛,介绍道教文化在两岸四地各自的发展状况,探讨如何加强沟通与交流、让道教文化凝聚中华儿女的心灵。
黄信阳道长认为,道教是中国土生土长的宗教,两岸四地都是中华儿女和炎黄子孙,应携手将道教事业发扬光大。虽然基本教理教义相同,但道教在两岸四地传播中也呈现出各自的特点,如香港道教界慈善事业发达;台湾道教宫观、信众很多;澳门道教与民俗结合紧密。近年来两岸四地道教界交流参访活动日益频繁,今后应进行更多交流合作,共同推动道教事业发展。
马梓才说,多年来,道教在香港扮演着独特的角色。香港道教界重视弘扬济世度人的思想,大力发展慈善事业,在教育、安老、赠医施药等方面做了很多工作;香港道教界还通过成立道乐团、举办道教音乐汇演等,以多样的形式向社会推广道教文化。道教源于中国深厚优良的文化传统,道教的根和祖庭都在祖国内地,香港道教界将进一步加强和内地的合作。
尽管澳门地方不大,但道教在澳门的传播有很长的历史。吴炳鋕说,澳门有很多广东移民,他们将传统的道教文化和信仰带入澳门。现在,澳门每年都举办道教文化节和道教民俗活动,吸引了大量海内外游客。“澳门道教界每年都组团来祖国内地拜访学习,也经常邀请内地道教界人士到澳门参访。我希望澳门能成为两岸四地甚至海外道教界交流的一个平台”。
张柽介绍说,道教是目前台湾最大的宗教,台湾有大大小小的道教宫观1万多座,粗略统计信众超过1000万。他认为,长期以来,中华儿女已经将道教的许多活动发展成为共同的生活宗教。作为中国土生土长的宗教,道教是能够联结海峡两岸人民“民族心理”和情感的重要纽带。
张柽说:“道教最大的功能就是集合中华民族的心灵,让中华儿女的心永远不要分开。”他经常鼓励台湾道教界人士组团来大陆交流参访,加强和大陆的联系。他说,众所周知,任何宗教都必须到它的本源所在地去朝圣。道教徒必须回到大陆,因为道教的故乡是在大陆。
四位高道大德都认为,应深入挖掘道教文化的和谐理念,进一步增进两岸四地道教界的合作,共同弘扬中华优秀传统文化。
张柽说,他现在最大的心愿就是成立“世界道教联合总会”,将总部设在道教发源地中国大陆,集合世界所有道教组织,向全球传播中国的古老智慧。
道家千峰先天派
千峰草堂: 赵明旺