Nomenclature I-kuan (Yiguan, 一貫 ) means something like "penetrating with one", "consistency" or "one unity." This term is derived from a passage of Analects (4.15) where Confucius said that his way is that of "an all-pervading truth" (吾道一以貫之 wu dao yi yi guan zhi). Tao (Dao, 道 ) has many meanings, including "way", "path" and "truth". When used next to the name of some Chinese religions, it means "religion." For example, Tai Ping Tao (太平道), a renegade religious group in ancient China which had directly led to the decline of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The same word Tao has been used by the Taoist and Confucian traditions to describe the broad patterns of the universe, life, and humanity as well as ritual or religious manifestation. Because of the name, I-Kuan Tao is often assumed to be Taoist, and Taoism does indeed form part of its heritage. However its history, teachings, practices, and leadership are different from those of either the "elite" forms of Taoist religion (the Celestial Masters or Complete Purity schools) or Chinese folk religion of the masses.[citation needed] In the same way, I-Kuan Tao differs from, and yet also resembles, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism. Because the group was banned in Taiwan in the 70s and 80s, it manifested in different names such as The Confucius-Mencius Society, The Morality Society, etc. They also called themselves Zhenli Tiandao (真理天道 The True Celestial Tao).It is quite famous ) Deities and teachers Deities Ming Ming Shang Ti (明明上帝), "Clear (Luminous) Emperor on High" — analogous to the Islamic and Judeo-Christian God. Also referred to as Wuji Laomu (無極老母), the "Ancient Mother of Limitless Heaven". She (or he) is the high being who transcends all the lesser gods of the Chinese pantheon. The roughly translated full name of this deity is The Bright Illustrious Almighty Eternal Pure Tranquil Void Utmost Sacred and Revered, The Lord of all beings in the entire Universe. Maitreya (彌勒佛), the next Buddha to succeed the historical Sakyamuni Buddha and who has come already according to I-Kuan Tao; Maitreya was reincarnated as Lu Zhong Yi. Ji Gong, (濟公活佛), known as Living Buddha Ji Gong (Huofo Shizun) a Zen Buddhist monk revered as a reincarnation of an Arhat. Zhang Tian Ran, the founder of I-Kuan Tao, is believed to be the reincarnation. Yue Hui, (月慧菩薩) is the Moon Wisdom Bodhisattva who was reincarnated as Sun Su Zhen, the matriarch of I-Kuan Tao. Often confused with Guan Yin, who shares exactly the same image. Guan Yu (關聖帝君) (also called Guan Gong or Guan Ti), an apotheosized Chinese general from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms who is commonly worshipped in Chinese temples, both Buddhist and Taoist. He is a Heavenly Guardian against evil. I-Kuan Tao honors him as the commander of the precepts together with Lü Dongbin, Zhang Fei (Three Kingdoms) and Yue Fei. Lu Dongbin (呂洞賓) is a Chinese deity/Immortal. Lǚ Dòngbīn is the most widely known of the group of deities known as the Eight Immortals. Teachers Zhang TianranLu Zhong Yi (路中一), the 17th Patriarch of I-Kuan Tao. He was believed to be the incarnation of Maitreya. He attained the title in 1905 when God mandated him to continue the Tao lineage. Zhang Tianran (張天然), made the name I-Kuan Tao official, was the 18th patriarch. He was believed to be the incarnation of Ji Gong, and became Tianran Ancient Buddha after his death. Sun Su Zhen (孫素真), the I-Kuan Tao 18th matriarch and the wife in name to Zhang Tianran. She was believed to be the incarnation of Yue Hui Bodhisattva and became the Holy Mother of the Chinese after her death.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:34:52 +0000
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