Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles: Advancing World Peace Through Conscience and Action | WPN World People News

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (Grandmaster) of Tai Ji Men, joins international guests in illuminating the “PEACE 60” display, symbolizing a shared commitment to world peace.

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, an international nonprofit cultural organization, celebrated its 60th anniversary with a grand cultural showcase, A World of One Heart—Peace and Sustainability, at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA on October 10, 2026. Held on World Mental Health Day, the event drew an enthusiastic audience and widespread acclaim across Southern California.

Guests and attendees gather for Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy's 60th anniversary cultural showcase, A World of One Heart—Peace and Sustainability, in Los Angeles.

More than 500 Tai Ji Men Qigong practitioners from different generations and countries came together to mark this milestone. More than 200 performers took the stage, supported by over 300 volunteers working behind the scenes. Rather than professional performers, they came from diverse fields, including medicine, law, engineering, education, and business. For months, they devoted evenings and weekends to intensive rehearsals, bringing their dedication and teamwork to life on stage.

Tai Ji Men practitioners demonstrate the power and grace of traditional Qigong and martial arts, conveying the philosophy of resolving conflict and cultivating peace.

Rooted in traditional Qigong and martial arts, the production seamlessly wove together music, dance, and theater to celebrate a rich cultural heritage and convey timeless values of conscience, love, peace, and hope. These messages resonated with today's pressing need for emotional well-being, meaningful human connections, and a more harmonious world.

Performers portray the Golden Peacock, symbolizing wisdom, purity of intention, and the blossoming of hope.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze: Conscience, Love, and Hope Are Essential to Humanity's Future

In his welcome address, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (Grandmaster) of Tai Ji Men, expressed heartfelt gratitude to friends and supporters worldwide whose longstanding encouragement has inspired Tai Ji Men Shifu (master) and dizi (apprentices) to continue advancing the cause of sustainable peace.

Child and youth practitioners dressed as angels perform songs, dances, and symbolic archery to inspire conscience and share positive energy across generations.

Dr. Hong emphasized that Tai Ji Men offers lifelong learning for people of all ages, global citizenship education that transcends race, nationality, and religion, and holistic education that nurtures humanity through love and conscience. Amid global turbulence and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, he stressed that conscience, love, hope, and action are essential to humanity's future. As long as love endures, the hope for world peace remains within reach.

Performers portraying auspicious mythical creatures, including the Celestial Dragon, Fire Phoenix, and Auspicious Lions, convey messages of peace and good fortune.

Over the past six decades, Dr. Hong and his dizi have traveled to 123 countries through self-funded cultural exchanges, sharing messages of love and peace and promoting global solidarity. Dr. Hong also initiated the Movement of An Era of Conscience and played an instrumental role in advancing the initiatives that led to the United Nations’ designation of the International Day of Conscience and the International Day of Hope.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leads the audience in silent reflection after ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love.

“Whether humanity can achieve a sustainable and prosperous future depends upon conscience. The awakening of conscience is the paramount shared task of all humankind,” Dr. Hong stated. He called on people around the world to embrace the vision of A World of One Heart—Peace and Sustainability and work together to build a peaceful and happy future for generations to come.

Performers present The Golden Kingdom, a musical fairy tale illustrating why conscience is more precious than material wealth.

Global Congratulations and Distinguished Leaders Illuminate “PEACE 60”

The anniversary celebration received warm congratulations from prominent U.S. leaders, including former President George W. Bush, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Tai Ji Men practitioners perform a dynamic sword dance that combines strength and elegance to express courage and righteousness.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma presented certificates of recognition to Dr. Hong and the Academy in honor of their contributions to international friendship and community well-being. Warm wishes for a successful celebration were shared by California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez and California State Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez.

Tai Ji Men practitioners from diverse professional backgrounds wave to the audience during Tai Ji Men Dizi from All Walks of Life, highlighting how they put Qigong cultivation and conscience into practice in daily life.

Further commendations also came from civic and educational leaders, including Daniel Tarica, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; Ted Alejandre, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; and Jose Gomez, President of Pasadena City College. A wide array of municipal leaders also expressed their praise, including Walnut Mayor Dr. Allen Wu, Montclair Mayor Javier John Dutrey, Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye, San Gabriel Mayor Eric L. Chan, Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo, and their respective city councilmembers. Their collective messages highlighted Tai Ji Men's steadfast commitment to preserving cultural heritage and enhancing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, Temple City Mayor William Man and Consul General Win Lei Phyu of Myanmar in Los Angeles presented certificates of recognition honoring Tai Ji Men’s meaningful contributions to the communities.

At the lighting ceremony, Dr. Hong was joined on stage by distinguished leaders, including San Gabriel City Councilmember Jorge Herrera Avila; Diamond Bar City Councilmember Chia Yu Teng; César Acuña Núñez, brand manager and representative of César Vallejo University’s founder in Peru; Alliance of Common Word Founder Imam Arif Huskic; former financial services executive Suka Chen; and gastroenterologist Dr. Donald Kwok. Together, they illuminated the “PEACE 60” display, symbolizing a shared aspiration to foster conscience, love, and peace across borders and cultures.

Martial Arts, Music, and Dance Bring Conscience and Hope to Life

On stage, Tai Ji Men practitioners transformed years of Qigong practice, self-cultivation, and life experience into a vibrant artistic expression of martial arts, music, dance, and theater.

A powerful martial arts formation combined fist routines, staff techniques, other traditional weapons, and kung fu fans, blending ancient Qigong traditions with contemporary dance to convey the philosophy of zhige (止戈)—ending conflict and cultivating peace through wisdom and strength. Auspicious mythical creatures from Eastern culture, including the Celestial Dragon, Fire Phoenix, Auspicious Lions, Golden Peacock, and Qilin, brought the stage to life, symbolizing good fortune, light, and hope while conveying wishes for lasting world peace.

Child and youth practitioners appeared as angels, presenting songs, dances, and symbolic archery imagery to inspire the awakening of conscience and spread positive energy across generations and cultures.

The musical drama The Golden Kingdom delivered a powerful message about the true treasure of life: conscience, rather than gold or jewels. While material wealth may make the exterior shine, conscience illuminates the heart, helping people discover their true selves and make the world a better place through goodness.

A special video presentation and live performance, Tai Ji Men Dizi from All Walks of Life, showcased how practitioners bring Qigong cultivation and conscience into their everyday lives. High school and college students shared the stage with working professionals, each offering a personal perspective on this practice. Lily, a cancer survivor, described regaining inner serenity and hope through Qigong. Damon, a semiconductor professional, uses Qigong breathing to stay grounded in a high-pressure work environment. Attorney Ann strives to guide clients with empathy and conscience, while pharmacist Sarah draws on composure to communicate more effectively with patients. Effie, a special education teacher, brings patience and sincerity to her interactions with students and parents. Together, their stories illustrated how holistic education can translate into everyday choices and actions.

Families Across Generations Pass on Love and Peace

Behind the scenes, families devoted countless weekends over several months to turn their hopes for peace into meaningful action.

Hans Hung, 65, recalled performing with a belt sword at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where Tai Ji Men was invited to present cultural performances. “Over the years, following Dr. Hong around the world, I have deeply felt his unwavering dedication to world peace,” Hung reflected.

He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to perform alongside his daughter, Wendy Hung, who appeared as an angel dancer. “I hope she grows up in a peaceful world, and I hope every generation can enjoy peace.”

Wendy, a marketing project manager, reflected on the experience of balancing work, family, and weekend rehearsals. She said the journey had reminded her not to take her family's support for granted, but to cherish her loved ones and put love into practice in everyday life.

In another family, seventh-grader Jane Tsai inspired her father, software engineer Gary Tsai, to perform, while her mother, attorney Claudia Huang, supported the production behind the scenes. The family set a goal early in the year to participate together.

Through months of weekend rehearsals, Jane developed greater endurance, courage, and self-discipline. Her father, meanwhile, learned humility and diligence from training alongside younger practitioners. Their shared experience demonstrated how a commitment to peace can begin at home and grow through the participation of an entire family.

Bell of World Peace and Love Resonates With a Call for Global Harmony

The Bell of World Peace and Love has traveled around the world, inviting leaders to make commitments to peace through action. To date, 704 influential leaders from 159 countries have rung the Bell, including 90 heads of state and 15 Nobel laureates.

On October 10, the Bell's resonant tones echoed through Los Angeles once again. Dr. Hong rang it nine times, offering three wishes for the United States and the world:

First wish: May goodness awaken conscience in every heart.

Second wish: May our world enjoy stability and harmony.

Third wish: May lasting peace prevail for generations to come.

He then invited the audience to observe a moment of silent reflection and make the “peace dove” hand gesture to express their shared aspiration for love and peace for the next 60-year cycle and beyond.

Audience Members Moved by the Performance's Beauty and Message

San Gabriel City Councilmember Jorge Herrera Avila described the showcase as one of the most significant and memorable performances he had ever experienced. He was particularly moved by the angel performance, which resonated with San Gabriel's rich historical heritage as the birthplace of Los Angeles and home to the renowned San Gabriel Mission.

Diamond Bar City Councilmember Chia Yu Teng praised the production's professional caliber and expressed admiration for the practitioners' years of dedication. He commended their efforts to share positive energy, love, and peace with families, communities, and people around the world.

Audience member Emily was captivated by the production's grandeur and the performers' heartfelt dedication. Calling it the best performance she had ever seen, she observed that everyone had put their heart into the show and performed with genuine love. The experience also left her with a profound sense of peace and comfort.

Carolyn Gray of Claremont, California, said the performance's vibrant energy, elaborate costumes, and rich colors lifted her spirits. She was especially inspired by the collective effort to bring humanity together, describing the vision as noble and expressing hope that it would one day become reality.

Allison, who flew to Los Angeles specifically to attend the showcase, described the program as amazing, energetic, and fun. She particularly enjoyed the Energy Family performance, praising its precise choreography and infectious enthusiasm.

Through six decades of cultural exchange, self-cultivation, and community service, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy has sought to demonstrate how conscience can inspire meaningful action and how individual efforts can contribute to a more harmonious world. The anniversary showcase brought these ideals to life through the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, offering a renewed invitation to people of all backgrounds to work together for peace and sustainability.