Special days were designated in honor of Tai Ji Men Shifu and dizi | WPN World People News

In March 2000, the Tai Ji Celestial Dragon soared in front of the U.S. Capitol Hill, creating a "Taiwan cultural miracle" through the power of its culture. A photo of the dragon was published in the Capitol Hill ROLL CALL, reporting on Tai Ji Men's contribution to cultural exchange and its promotion of world peace.

Tai Ji Men is an ancient menpai of qigong and martial arts that activates the source of spiritual wisdom and is a treasure trove of culture. Carrying forward the Taoist wisdom, Tai Ji Men contains one of the highest philosophies of humankind and has followed an esoteric tradition since ancient times. In light of the imbalance of global citizens’ bodies and minds and in response to the needs of the times, in 1966 Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze established the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy. The Academy is an international non-profit cultural organization that upholds the spirit of "nurturing the positive energy of the universe and following the true enlightened masters throughout the ages,” and aims to promote the Tai Ji Men culture and improve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the people of the world. Under the leadership of Dr. Hong, Tai Ji Men dizi (disciples) have visited over 300 cities in 101 countries and have presented more than 3,000 cultural performances, promoting citizen diplomacy and the beauty of culture.

March 22, 2000 was declared by the then mayor of the District of Columbia Anthony A. Williams as the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy Day in Washington, D.C.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Dr. Hong repeatedly emphasized the importance and urgency of global solidarity, and he has actively cooperated with international NGOs and established the Federation of World Peace and Love. For decades, Dr. Hong has led his dizi and international volunteers to six continents to promote love and peace. Under Dr. Hong's guidance, the members of the delegation have turned many impossible situations into possible ones.

On September 16, 2001, a cultural feast and prayer ceremony titled "A Night of Ancient Culture" was held, inviting representatives from various religions and walks of life to pray for Hawaii, the United States and the world.

Welcoming a new century
International Ambassadors of Peace and Goodwill
March 22, 2000 was declared as Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy Day in Washington, D.C.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the martial arts whirlwind that Tai Ji Men created in the United States was unforgettable. During its participation in the 50th Anniversary of the Seattle Seafair Torchlight Parade in 1999, the news anchors spent five minutes introducing Tai Ji Men’s participation titled "Tai Ji Men - Tai Ji Formation." In March 2000, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze was invited by Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to visit the U.S. The Tai Ji Men delegation performed in front of the Capitol Hill, the center of world politics and the site of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration. They held a ceremony of ringing the "Bell of World Peace and Love" there. The Tai Ji Celestial Dragon soared in front of the U.S. Capitol Hill, creating a "Taiwan cultural miracle" through the power of its culture. A photo of the dragon was published in the Capitol Hill ROLL CALL, reporting on Tai Ji Men's contribution to cultural exchange and the promotion of world peace. During the trip, fabulous cultural performances were held in Ellipse Park near the White House and Central Park in New York. The Mayor of Washington, D.C., Anthony A. Williams, officially proclaimed March 22, 2000 as "Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy Day" in Washington, D.C., and Tai Ji Men was recognized as "International Ambassadors of Peace and Goodwill," acknowledging its contribution to cultural preservation.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leader of Tai Ji Men, is presented with a proclamation by the representative of Mayor Jeremy Harris of Honolulu in 2001, declaring September 16, 2001 as Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy and Dr. Hong Tao Tze Day in Honolulu.

The Sound of the Peace Bell Calms People’s Hearts After the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
September 16, 2001 declared as Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy and Dr. Hong Tao Tze Day in Honolulu

Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington, left, on behalf of Mayor Tom Bates, presents to Dr. Hong a proclamation, by which Mayor Bates declared Aug. 5, 2005 as Federation of World Peace and Love Day in the City of Berkeley.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred on September 11, 2001, when planes crashed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, plunging the world into fear and anxiety. During the 54th United Nations DPI NGO Conference, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze was invited to speak at a meeting, and FOWPAL planned to present cultural performances and conduct bell ringing ceremonies around the United Nations. At that time, all events were canceled due to the chaos. Dr. Hong told his dizi, "If we don't do something, we've come in vain.” Inspired, his dizi did their best to invite leaders from all walks of life to ring the Bell of World Peace and Love to pray for America and the world. The bell ringing ceremonies were held for three consecutive days, with 16 UN ambassadors and NGO leaders ringing the bell, and on September 12, the bell ringing ceremony was held at the MNN TV station in Manhattan and broadcast for four hours, spreading the blessing to all corners of the United States and soothing the hearts of all.

At that time, many flights were canceled, and many people were trying to escape from the United States. The 30-strong group of Tai Ji Men Shifu and dizi were determined to fly to Hawaii to fulfill their promise, and they went to the airport every day to try their luck. Finally, they arrived in Honolulu on five different flights on September 15th and 16th.

At the time, experts predicted that Hawaii would be the next target of a terrorist attack. Why did Tai Ji Men Shifu and dizi fly there, knowing the danger? The delegation was invited to participate in the Aloha Parade in Hawaii, and martial arts practitioners would fulfill their commitment. Therefore, Dr. Hong was adamant that he would fly to Hawaii as promised, despite all odds, and he asked his wife about her opinion. She said, "Wherever you go, I will follow you.” But she asked, "What about the dizi? Their family members might worry about them.” Dr. Hong left it up to the dizi to decide, and all the dizi present decided to follow their Shifu and Shimu (Shifu’s wife) to Hawaii.

Although the Hawaii Aloha Parade was canceled, the delegation still held a cultural feast and prayer ceremony at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu on September 16. Dr. Hong rang the bell and explained the significance of the ceremony: “The peaceful sound of the Bell brings the blessing of peace and stability. All living creatures in the world are our brothers and sisters. It is with a heavy heart that we pay tribute to the victims of September 11. Global solidarity and cooperation are an urgent imperative, and with sincere care from the heart, we can resolve the sorrow of the world and reignite the hope of life.” Dr. Hong expressed his prayers for the 9/11 attacks: "May the souls of the deceased rest in peace, and I lead my disciples to pray with the world with a sincere heart and the mighty righteous energy from the auspicious formation. Let us resolve hatred and conflict with love.” Representatives from many faiths and walks of life were invited to join in praying for Hawaii, the United States, and the world. The delegation was originally expected to be composed of 430 people, but only 36 Tai Ji Men dizi presented the cultural performance at the theater. Their sincerity and peaceful wishes touched the hearts of nearly 1,000 audience members, and many were moved to tears.

The then Mayor of Honolulu Jeremy Harris expressed his appreciation to Tai Ji Men’s contributions to world peace and praised Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze for being “an outstanding leader who imparts the philosophy of yin and yang, and advocates the concept of physical, spiritual and mental health.” Mayor Harris also commended the Cultural Goodwill Group organized by Dr. Hong for strengthening relationships among countries and cultures through cultural exchange. He recognized Dr. Hong as an honorary citizen of Honolulu and proclaimed September 16, 2001 as Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy and Dr. Hong Tao Tze Day in the City and County of Honolulu.

In 2005, the United Nations celebrated its 60th anniversary with the theme "UN 60: time for renewal." The ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens (AWC) held a special conference in San Francisco, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The conference was attended by the University of San Francisco President Stephen Arena Privett, Earth Charter Chair Susan J. Zipp, and other guests from more than 20 nations. The opening ceremony was officiated by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, who rang the "Bell of World Peace and Love." Dr. Hong was presented with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his contributions to global citizenship. Dr. Hong was invited to speak at universities in the United States. On August 4, Dr. Hong gave a speech at the University of San Francisco (USF) on the legacy and contribution of cultural exchange, sharing his experience in conducting over 1,000 cultural exchanges in the international community. On that day, Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and declared August 5, 2005 as the "Federation of World Peace and Love Day" in Berkeley on behalf of Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, in recognition of Dr. Hong's leading FOWPAL to promote love and peace.

The ringing of the Bell of World Peace and Love symbolizes the power of action. The ringers make a promise of love and peace for themselves, for the world, and for future generations as the sound of the bell reverberates throughout the world. The bell ringers have continued exerting positive influence at critical moments to improve the destiny of the world. To date, 502 influential leaders from all walks of life in 133 countries have rung the Bell of World Peace and Love, including 59 heads of state and government and seven Nobel Peace Prize laureates. President Fradique de Menezes of Sao Tome and Principe (2001-2011), President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal (2000-2012), and President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic (1996-2000 and 2004-2012), rang the bell and made wishes for peace during their tenure and later mediated between neighboring countries to defuse potential wars. Dr. Hong will continue to lead his dizi to bring the Bell of World Peace and Love to different corners of the Earth, allowing the peaceful sound of the bell to resonate around the globe, bringing peace and tranquility to the world.