Tai Ji Men conducts cultural exchanges around the world

The distinct culture of a particular group or society distinguishes it from others, and it is an international trend to preserve intangible cultural heritage. Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy hosted a spectacular cultural feast transcending space and time at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on Sept. 16. The audience witnessed powerful moves of modern-day knights-errant and unpredictable martial arts formations drawn upon the unity of the performers’ hearts and qi (energy). At the breathtaking cultural feast to the senses, “four ancient celestial creatures”—dragon, golden phoenix, qilin, auspicious lion— and the “Eight Immortals” in Chinese mythology appeared, sharing boundless joy and positive energy with the audience.
Over 300 Tai Ji Men members, ages 8 to 64, jointly presented the essence of an ancient culture and showcased the remarkable achievements accomplished by Tai Ji Men’s Shifu (master) and his dizi (similar to students). The event, broadcast live in 15 places in the U.S. and Taiwan, was attended by over 1000 people from 24 nations, including many prominent figures in various fields.
Heralded for its spectacular martial arts and cultural performances during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, especially tours around the world to conduct cultural exchanges this year. In July, its performance in Taipei was watched by over 10,000 people; in September, it hosted two performances in California. Under the theme of “Tai Ji Culture, A Precious Treasure: Bringing Hope to the World,” Tai Ji Men members displayed their masterful performances refined over the past half century. The event was kicked off by multi-national music presented by “World Peace and Love Orchestra.” A powerful and joyful opening drum performance was presented in unison by a group of young Tai Ji Men members, sending continuous waves of happy energy to the audience. Tibetan horns delivered music evoking ancient memories. The young performers, carrying forward the culture of an ancient menpai (similar to school), presented it with renewed vitality.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the grandmaster of Tai Ji Men, stated in his opening speech, “While qi nurtures all the living creatures in the world, dao is the way nature functions. The Eastern philosophy of tai ji and yin yang is the origin of the universe, and every life is closely connected with the rhythm of the universe. At a time of turbulence, only with a calm and pure heart can we return to our natural state, realize our full potential, and truly understand the meaning of life. What I have inherited from my prior grandmasters and what I have been passing on to my dizi is this lesson of life, which is about the unity of the heart and qi and has been practiced for thousands of years. . . . For years on our journey around the world sharing love and peace, we have received countless kind and warm responses and have witnessed numerous “hearts sparkling with kindness” in this world. We have also witnessed the powerful energy of conscience and good deeds, which are changing the world. While few people live to a hundred years old, the culture of conscience can transcend generations and be perpetually passed down through the shifu-dizi tradition and education for world citizenship.” His profound remarks are full of thought-provoking pearls of wisdom.
In celebration of this historic moment and in appreciation of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy’s contribution to society, leaders from various fields presented certificates of recognition in person or through their representatives, or sent certificates by mail, including Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez; Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom ; California State Senator Ed Hernandez; Michael D. Antonovich, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; Mayor Eric Ching of Walnut; Mayor Sandra Armenta of Rosemead; Mayor Chin Ho Liao of San Gabriel; Mayor Samuel Kang of Duarte; Mayor Barbara Messina of Alhambra; Councilmember Larry J. Spicer of Monrovia; Robert Guthrie, chief of Arcadia Police Department; Xiao-Cui Liu, president of International Martial Arts Federation; and Dr. Kylie Hsu, professor emerita at California State University, Los Angeles. California State Senator Ed Hernandez said during the event, “What a wonderful night. There’s so much energy here in the room. Look, smiling. The absolute biggest honor that I have is to be able to attend cultural events like this being held in the City of Arcadia. But more importantly, the incredible leaders like Dr. Hong, who spreads joy, but more importantly, wisdom and prosperity throughout the world.”
Mayor Chin Ho Liao praised Dr. Hong and stated, “Congratulations to Tai Ji Men, 50th anniversary, amazing! I have met Dr. Hong maybe 10 years ago, and look at him, he’s 30 years younger. Qigong is all about positive energy. Look at all the postures, amazing! Another amazing thing is teaching people to love one another. You’d better believe it, there’s hope to bring peace to this world!”
Promoting a culture of conscience and spreading love around the world
VIPs beating drums and unfolding fans to spread goodness
The fabulous program revolved around the Tai Ji culture, with 3 major parts that told stories of the past and present and about the universe, society, and life, presented in the forms of martial arts, music, dance, drama, and "play within a play" to share countless blessings as well as boundless happy and righteous energy. Master Xuanzang and his three disciples (main characters in a classic Chinese novel titled Journey to the West) time traveled to the Arcadia Performing Arts Center to congratulate Tai Ji Men. Tai Ji Men young ladies formed various formations while delivering graceful and powerful sword dance. These performances embodied an ancient culture with immense energy from the heart.
Tai Ji Men is an ancient menpai (similar to school) of qigong, martial arts, and self-improvement. It is a treasure trove of culture and holds the key to unlock the origin of wisdom. Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy was founded in 1966 by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, grandmaster of Tai Ji Men. Over the years, the Shifu and dizi have visited over 200 cities in 66 nations and have been recognized as “International Ambassadors of Peace and Goodwill.” In recent years, it has actively promoted the movement of An Era of Conscience, which has received enthusiastic responses from people in 196 nations, creating positive influences that have rippled across the planet. In 2016, it launched the global endorsement of the “Declaration of World Citizens.” The attendees of the 66th UN DPI/NGO Conference and spectators in festivals in Portugal and the Balkan Peninsula warmly endorsed the declaration. To date, people from 65 nations have endorsed it.
In addition to awe-inspiring performances, videos featuring highlights of Tai Ji Men Shifu and dizi’s international trips of love and peace over the past 50 years were played during the event. An ancient ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love was held to pray for world peace. The Bell has visited every populated continent. To date, the Bell has been rung by 270 visionary leaders from 87 countries, including 27 heads of state, 8 Nobel laureates, UN ambassadors, NGO leaders, etc.
As the focal point of the event, leaders from various fields beat Tai Ji drums and unfolded Tai Ji fans to inject powerful positive energy into the world, including Alyssa Guerrero, representative of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez; California State Senator Ed Hernandez; Brian Mejia, representative of Michael D. Antonovich, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; Mayor Chin Ho Liao of San Gabriel; Councilmember Larry Spicer of Monrovia; Superintendent David Vannasdall of Arcadia School District; Thwin Htet Lin, Deputy Consul General of Myanmar in Los Angeles; Gustavo Sancho, representative of Consul General Sylvia Ugalde of Costa Rica in Los Angeles; and other leaders. They participated in this jubilant and meaningful ceremony, regardless of political party, creed, or race.
Tai Ji Culture, A Precious Treasure Desired by World Citizens
Under the theme of “Tai Ji Culture, A Precious Treasure: Bringing Hope to the World,” the program featured “Back to the Origin: Master-apprentice Relationship,” ‘Tai Ji Life: An Ancient Culture Infused with Renewed Vitality,” and “An Era of Conscience: Spreading Love Around the World.” The event also received heavenly blessings—dragon, phoenix, auspicious lions, and the “Eight Immortals “ in Chinese mythology appeared to congratulate Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy. The performances transcended space and time, allowing the audience to embark on a life journey back to the origin. Through an intricate combination of martial arts, music, dance, drama, “play within a play,” the performers delivered a fantastic performance that exhibited the unity of the heart and qi (energy), a high form of kungfu. The plots of the program contained profound life philosophy, aiming to lead the audience to find the positive spiritual energy within.
Almost all of the performers, including senior citizens, energetic youth, and lively children, are amateurs, who have been passing on the torch of culture in their daily lives. The Shifu and dizi worked together to create this exceptional cultural feast combining audio-visual and spiritual wonders, allowing the audience to appreciate the glory of an excellent culture, feel the connection between their hearts and antiquity, and experience the joy and harmony among people in all populated continents.
The last performance was “An Era of Conscience: Spreading Love Around the World.” Tai Ji Men dizi changed themselves into angels of love. Energy Boys & Energy Girls danced to three uplifting songs: “Fly with Your Dream,” “Song of Hope,” and “Happiness is Everywhere” to encourage the audience to lead a beautiful life. As soon as the music of “We Are One World” started, the stage was transformed into a carnival where people from all populated continents came together, presenting a variety of beautiful and energetic ethnic dances and communicating to one another heart to heart. The event allowed the attendees to bask in a happy and harmonious atmosphere and feel that the world is just like a big family.