The founder of the spiritual movement Tai Ji Men, Dr Hong Tao-Tze, recently celebrated his 80th birthday with hundreds of dizis and prominent Taiwanese figures, including the Mayor of Taipei and the Vice President of the Executive Yuan of Taiwan's government.
Dr Hong Tao-Tze is the Shifu (Grand Master) of thousands of qigong practitioners known as Tai Ji Men, a spiritual movement he founded in 1966. Tai Ji Men is an ancient "menpai" of qigong, martial arts, and self-cultivation that gathers tens of thousands of dizis in Taiwan and abroad.
The celebration was an opportunity for a great artistic show with dancers, martial art practitioners, singers, and musicians, who thrilled the audience for more than two hours of entertainment. Dr Hong Tao-Tze, who exudes health and youthfulness at 80, delivered a message of peace to the attendees, wishing everyone peace throughout the world.
Among the special guests was also a delegation of international scholars and activists, such as Dr Agorom Dike, President of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference and Liaison to the White House Faith-Based Cabinet Offices, Herta Margarethe Habsbourg-Lorraine, President of the Austrian NGO Flame of Peace, Willy Fautre, President of Human Rights Without Frontiers, Thierry Valle from the UN ECOSOC NGO Freedom of Conscience, Massimo Introvigne, Director of Bitter Winter magazine, or Eric Roux, Vice-President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights.
Tai Ji Men is deeply entrenched in the wisdom of Taoism and revolves around achieving a harmonious balance between opposing forces such as yin and yang, heaven and earth, and the body and energy. The followers of Tai Ji Men, known as dizis or disciples, come from diverse backgrounds and various faiths, without any requirement to adopt Taoism. By aligning with their inner convictions and engaging in the practice of qigong and martial arts, these dizis endeavour to enhance their physical well-being, cleanse their hearts, and rediscover the essence of their souls.
Dr Hong's endeavours encompass the celebration of traditional Chinese culture, as well as global advocacy for world peace and compassion. His academy integrates fields such as medicine, philosophy, literature, and education, forming a comprehensive approach to martial arts.
The Tai Ji Men Cultural Goodwill Group and the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), of which Dr Hong Tao-Tze is the President, have embarked on journeys to 101 nations, spreading the message of conscience, love, and peace. The bond between Dr Hong Tao-tze and his students, referred to as dizis, is profoundly robust, and the organization places significant emphasis on moral principles that aspiring dizis must uphold before they can be accepted as disciples of Tai Ji Men.
Dr Hong's global recognition for initiating a worldwide peace movement has led to meetings with a multitude of international leaders, ranging from Pope Benedict XVI and Nelson Mandela to the Secretary-General of the UN, as well as government officials from nations across the globe. His objective is to advance global harmony through diverse methods like cultural interactions and solemn ceremonies involving the ringing of the Bell of World Peace and Love.
Dr Hong Tao-Tze's 80th birthday celebration was a testament to the profound connections among the dizis and the importance of promoting peace, love, and harmony in the world.