The power of culture and education is essential for spreading peace and rectifying injustice.
by Joyce Lin*
*A paper presented at the session “Freedom of Religion Issues in Taiwan and the Tai Ji Men Case” of the CESNUR 2025 international conference, Cape Town, South Africa, November 19, 2025.
As a teacher, I was once exhausted both physically and mentally due to work pressure and heavy family burdens, suffering from burnout and excessive sleepiness. However, joining Tai Ji Men transformed my life. Through daily practice of Qigong, breathing regulation, and meditation, my health significantly improved, and my mind became clear. This positive energy even extended to my family and work. By practicing Qigong and maintaining health, we stay youthful, energetic, and healthy. We also learn wisdom for life and for success, which enables a smooth career, a prosperous future, improved health, and good fortune for family members, as well as a more harmonious family atmosphere.
In Tai Ji Men, the core of cultivation is the improvement of one’s inner character and heart-mind. Guided by my Shifu, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (Grand Master) of Tai Ji Men, I learned to “shift my perspective” (change my mindset), no longer blaming others or being trapped by emotions. This symbolized my liberation from suppression and a return to my natural state and true heart. I also realized that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about “enlightening people with virtue and nurturing them with love.” I have applied my cultivation insights to my teaching, transforming me from a mere knowledge provider into a wiser and more compassionate educator.
Tai Ji Men is a menpai (similar to a school) that inherits ancient Qigong, martial arts, and Taoist philosophies of self-cultivation. It is also a modern spiritual group that emphasizes cultivating the heart-mind, nurturing one’s nature, and pursuing balance of body, mind, and spirit. In Tai Ji Men, cultivation is not just about practicing Qigong; it is a way of life. Through “practice and heart-mind refinement,” we learn to let go of worries and attachments, cultivate conscience and love, and radiate positive energy from the inside out. Tai Ji Men Shifu and dizi (disciples) are united in heart, using culture as a bridge to the world, promoting the ideals of love and peace. To date, we have visited 120 countries and over 300 cities, participating in more than 10,000 cultural performances and events, which have allowed people worldwide to experience the profound heritage and gentle beauty of Chinese culture.
In 2023, I was honored to accompany my shifu, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, to Türkiye to attend the 26th Eurasian Economic Summit. The conference gathered heads of state and international leaders to discuss the global economy, regional security, and sustainable development. Dr. Hong delivered a speech titled “Love and Conscience,” emphasizing that in this era of frequent disasters, the world can only move toward true peace and prosperity by awakening the goodness and responsibility within people’s hearts. His simple yet profound words moved the attendees, and representatives from many countries proactively engaged in discussions afterward, expressing their willingness to promote love and peace jointly.
In 2014, Dr. Hong initiated the “An Era of Conscience Movement,” advocating that everyone should be guided by conscience, starting from every thought and action in daily life, allowing the power of love and goodness to spread globally. This movement led to the United Nations passing a resolution in 2019, designating April 5th as the “International Day of Conscience,” which became a significant milestone for global peace.
Dr. Hong has led his dizi for years in self-funded cultural goodwill visits and the promotion of conscience education, spanning five continents and over a hundred countries. He has engaged in dialogues with heads of state, UN officials, and religious leaders on numerous international occasions, exchanging ideas on love and peace. He has become a respected peace mentor for leaders of many nations. Dr. Hong’s contributions have received global recognition, including the US “President’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” India’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and honorary citizenships and commemorative days in various cities, highlighting his extraordinary efforts in promoting human peace.
The injustice of the Tai Ji Men case did not lead the dizi into hatred; instead, we faced the injustice with a higher spirit, embodying the wisdom and active spirit to transcend suffering. Tai Ji Men Shifu and dizi worldwide are promoting the “An Era of Conscience Movement” and human rights education, awakening the conscience and love in people’s hearts and conveying the belief in peace and justice, receiving a response from over 200 countries globally. The dizi have also voluntarily held over 30,000 public lectures, sharing their cultivation insights and life stories to help more people find health, happiness, and well-being.
The Tai Ji Men unjust case reminds the world: If democracy lacks checks and balances, public power can still persecute faith. If judicial rulings are not implemented effectively, the rule of law becomes an empty promise. The power of culture and education is a vital path to repairing justice. Only when a nation is willing to take responsibility for its errors can democracy be complete; only when conscience is respected can the people’s souls truly be free.
In a genuinely democratic system, power must be monitored and checked, and the people’s faith and freedom must be fully guaranteed. However, history proves time and again that when power lacks transparency and restraint, even under the guise of democracy, it can still commit acts of oppression in the name of “law” or “public interest.” When a few manipulate systems such as the judiciary, taxation, and media, the facade of democracy conceals an autocratic core, and then the protection of freedom of faith and human rights collapses.
The judiciary is the last line of defense for democracy and justice; however, if court rulings cannot be enforced, the spirit of the rule of law is compromised. When government agencies can disregard court decisions and selectively enforce the law, it not only infringes on individual rights but also erodes public trust in the justice system. If the law fails to protect the people, they naturally lose confidence in the state, and democracy becomes merely a formality.
Having worked in education for over thirty years, I have come to realize that the power of culture and education is crucial for rectifying institutional injustice and the arrogance of power. Culture unites people’s hearts, and education inspires conscience; they complement each other and are the foundation for social progress and lasting peace. To promote sustainable peace and lifelong learning, we must not only create a healthy, comprehensive educational environment but also cultivate individual inner awareness and inspire spiritual potential.
On August 1, 2025, Tai Ji Men Toronto opened. In his opening address, Dr. Hong expressed his hope that through the heritage of our ancient menpai, the educational concepts of love, peace, conscience, and hope will be spread globally. Dr. Hong emphasized that the heart is the root, Qi is the foundation, and conscience is humanity’s innate gift. If everyone can honestly reflect on every thought, word, and action, guard that sense of propriety within their heart, and return to their pure, original nature, they can unleash their potential, open their wisdom, and then do good deeds to bring blessings and create peace.
Education enables people to discern right from wrong and courageously confront injustice; culture nurtures society, allowing people to reflect on historical errors, heal wounds, and cultivate a shared sense of moral responsibility. Most importantly, a truly mature democracy is not one without mistakes, but one that is courageous enough to take responsibility for its errors. Only when a nation is willing to face history and give the people justice can its democracy be considered complete; only when everyone’s conscience is respected and faith can be freely practiced can the people’s souls gain genuine liberation. Only by being rooted in conscience and founded on love can the tree of democracy flourish, and the flowers of justice and peace bloom enduringly.
Joyce Lin is an English teacher and Class Advisor at Taichung First Senior High School, Taichung, Taiwan, and a freelance writer.
