The Inauguration of I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada

Destined from a Thousand Miles Away, Distinguished Guests’ Arrival 

On October 27th, Vancouver Tao members prepared an afternoon tea at the Fa-Yi Chong-De Vancouver Temple in British Columbia of Canada, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the leaders of the respective Tao groups and international delegate teams. President Master Mei Shia Chang delivered a welcoming speech, followed by Secretary Master Mei Sheng Fang presenting the rundown on the Inauguration of I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada’s event. 

In the afternoon, a visit was made to I-Kuan Tao Ming Hwa Temple, and Tao members warmly welcomed the guests. Vice President Chu shared the history of Ji-Chu Zhong-Shu’s propagation work in Canada. In the evening, the group returned to the Fa-Yi Chong-De Vancouver Temple for a wonderful dinner.

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A New Chapter, Together Receiving Heavenly Blessings 

On October 28, 2023, early in the morning, within the group chat of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada's working group, there were continuous messages of encouragement and support. At the Floata Restaurant, located in downtown Vancouver, our group of volunteers were busy with their assigned tasks. Determined to ensure the success of the Inauguration of I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada event and make the visit of our respectful international guests worthwhile.

The Inauguration of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada, Pioneering a New Era 

The lighting, venue decorations, audio and video media testings, and table assignments were in place. Beautiful greeters lined up in a row at the entrance of the venue, with the brightest smiles, greeting and welcoming our distinguished guests. At nine o'clock, honorable guests from around the world began to arrive. Master Ma’s kind words and encouragement, announcing that the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada is the 18th country to have an I-Kuan Tao Association in the world.

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The Establishment of the Conference, Infinite Blessings 

Hosts Zahar Ji and Tung Yun Fang announced that the start of the event was welcoming honorable guests from various countries. Under a colorful balloon arch and amidst the enthusiastic cheers and applause from Tao members, representatives from different regions entered one after another. The representatives included Bao-Guang Yu-Shan, Fa-Yi Chong-De, Los Angeles/San Francisco, Seattle, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, the Chinese I-Kuan Tao Global Association, and Vancouver, Canada. Finally, the Canadian flag, the Association flag, and the beloved event host, Master Ma, entered. The audience applauded loudly, and with the Canadian flag waving, Tao members were once again gathered together, what a heartwarming and moving scene.

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Lucky Lion Dance, the Holy Tao Spreads Across the World 

Symbolizing good luck, the lion dance awoke after the Tao seniors' eye-dotting ceremony. With beats of the drums, they performed the lion dance to celebrate and bless the establishment of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada. We anticipate that the establishment of the Canadian Association will lead to more unity, cooperation, and exchange of experiences and resources among regions worldwide, as well as among Provinces and groups within Canada. With a wealth of talent, I-Kuan Tao will spread its teachings across the world, taking a significant step closer to the Utopia World. After the Tao seniors' ribbon-cutting ceremony, the inauguration of the Association officially began. After all attending Tao members sang the Canadian national anthem and the Association's hymn, Master Ma introduced the international honourable guests. These seniors came from afar, after long hours of travel to get to Vancouver. With unwavering faith in the truth of Tao, their dedication, love, and great expectations for us, they offered their deepest and most sincere blessings.

Heaven Helps Those Who Helped Themselves

Mr. Henry Yao, a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, recognized the significant influence of I-Kuan Tao in promoting the traditional Chinese culture and its positive contributions to society with its principles of "Transforming the hearts of people for goodness, and making the world for Great Unity." President Wang Pao-Tzong congratulated Canada on the proactive efforts of the leadership team, led by President Chang, Vice President Chu, and Secretary Fang in successfully completing the registration of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada with the Federal and Provincial government, making it the 18th country for the I-Kuan Tao Association worldwide.

Looking back at the pioneers and predecessors who came to North America for Tao propagation, establishing temples one after another, and overcoming barriers such as language and cultural differences, and adapting to new life in a foreign country. Where there are Bai-Yang angels, there will be the blessing and support from Buddhas and Bodhisattva. The seeds of the Holy Tao also took root and flourished in this land. Today, with the establishment of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada, it signifies that the time is ripe. We bless the Association with a wealth of talent, the advancement of Tao propagation, and reaching new heights. President Wang also invited various branches and teams to visit the Bai-Yang Temple of Heaven and the various Tao societies and centres for future pilgrimage trips.

Pioneering in Propagation Work, Spreading the Holy Tao 

A warm welcome to the directors of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada as they take the stage. Master Mei Shia Chang was appointed as the first President. President Chang expressed gratitude and acknowledged the blessings and guidance of leadership and seniors from around the world for Canada. She also shared the history of the Tao propagation in Canada, began as early as 1988 with Zhong Shu, followed by Xing-Yi, Fa-Yi Chong-De in 1994, Fa-Yi Tian-Yuan Chang-Sheng in 1996, and various other branches, including Tian-Xiang, Bao-Guang Yu-Shan, Bao-Guang Jian-De, Bao-Guang Yuan-De, and Fa-Yi Ling-Yin, contributing to the thriving development of Tao affairs.

The establishment of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada symbolizes its ability to unite the strengths of various branches and units in Canada. Through unity and collaboration, the Great Tao will be spread to every corner of Canada. The goal of the Canadian Association is to allow more sentient beings, regardless of nationality, status, gender, race, language, or culture, to all board the boat of Dharma in this diverse and inclusive immigrant nation, to attain the enlightened minds and return to their Buddha nature.

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Unveiling the Official Flag and Plaques 

The solemn unveiling ceremony symbolizes the official beginning of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada, the I-Kuan Tao Association Office in Vancouver, and the I-Kuan Tao Association Office in Toronto. President Wang of the Chinese I-Kuan Tao Global Association, ceremoniously entrusted the sacred flag of the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada to President Chang, signifying the unity and shared purpose of the global I-Kuan Tao community. As the Association flag waved, more than 400 enthusiastic Tao members in attendance joined in applause, full of hope and expectations for the promising future development of I-Kuan Tao in Canada.

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Gifting

What's even more touching is that various guests from around the globe prepared gifts to congratulate the I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada. Representatives from different countries, including the Fa-Yi Chong-De Singapore Tao Society, Fa-Yi Chong-De Kuala Lumpur Tao Society, Chiang Mai Tao Affairs Centre, and the Philippines Tao Affairs Centre, took the stage in sequence to present their gifts. President Chang also represented Canada in presenting gifts to the international honourable guests, offering the most representative local Canadian gift, maple syrup.

Spectacular Performances and Heartwarming Laughter 

With gratitude in their hearts, Canadian Tao members, on this special day, prepared a diverse range of performance programs. We offered the guests to experience the uniqueness of Canada's multicultural blend and witness the rich feast that results from the fusion of both Eastern and Western cultures.

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Dance

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan dance is a dance art that combines graceful movements with inner balance, symbolizing the perfect fusion of harmony and the beauty of dance steps. Accompanied by the spirited song 'Absolute Devotion Can be Testified by the Sun and the Moon', the audience enjoyed an extremely powerful and beautiful Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan dance performance.

Local Canadians’ Chinese Talk Show

The 'Canadian Stand-Up Comedy in Chinese' is a show that you can only witness in the culturally diverse and racially integrated Canada. It features Canadians performing in Mandarin, showcasing the excellence of Tao propagating to different parts of the world. Regardless of where we are, Tao is always our common language. Tao enables us to overcome differences in nationality, race, language, and culture. With a caring word and a genuine heart of compassion, we can help sentient beings find happiness and relief from suffering.

The fantastic stand-up comedy by Canadians was presented by three local Tao members from Vancouver: Lecturer Ken, Lecturer Yash, and Temple Owner Gordon. Their witty performances and sharp punchlines, infused with their personal stories of learning Chinese, cultivating Tao and embracing vegetarianism, created a seamless stream of laughter and applause from the audience.

Little Angels’ Performance - Hope and Vitality 

The Little Angels represent the hope and vitality of Tao, and they are the promising talents of tomorrow. Through the performances of these little angels, they also remind us to always return to our purity state of child, because we all originate from the Great Tao. The little angels chanted the ‘Purpose of Tao’ and recited the 'The Great Unity'. Finally, they concluded with an adorable song ‘Blissful Faces’.

Choir Performance

The grand finale featured a performance by a local Tao members' choir. Under the conducting of lecturer Chen, the choir presented three deeply moving songs. Starting with the harmonious and gentle song ‘Transcending the Mundane’, and ending with the vibrant song ‘The Trumpet of Bai-Yang Resounds’, each song left a profound impression and captivated the audience.

With Unity and Effort, We Welcome the Future 

After the big group photo, the event concluded successfully. Following a warm invitation from the Chinese I-Kuan Tao Global Association, guests from other countries enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Fa-Yi Chong-De Temple in the evening. Finally, as the sounds of well-wishing farewell songs filled the air, the event ended with a perfect closing. This grand event, which required extensive preparation and collective efforts of Tao members, has given us a precious memory stored in this historical moment.

Persistent effort is the beginning of success, diligence leads to the development of wisdom, perseverance is the key to victory. The Bai-Yang Angels harness positive energy, embark on the path of Tao, spreading love and propagating Tao in every place. We possess the power of change, hold boundless hope, making life shine brighter and transforming the world into a peaceful paradise.

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By I-Kuan Tao Association of Canada