On the third floor of the Truth Shrine incense is lit before every meal to worship the Maitreya Buddha, and (behind) the Ancient Mother of Limitless Heaven, who has no avatar. (Jimmy Lin)

If you go in for the splendor of Taiwan's major temples, this place might seem messy and unattractive. If the stately magnificence of major religious ceremonies appeals to you, things here may seem too casual and disorganized. And if you favor the sophisticated organic cuisine of big cities, the vegetarian fare here might seem neither tasty nor healthy enough.

But if the cutthroat nature of utilitarian and materialistic society gives you the blues, you may find it refreshing that people here treat each other like siblings. If you've ever passed your days struggling to make ends meet, you will discover that the cooperation and communalism here have much to recommend them. And if the hurry and emptiness of urban life bother you, the peace and joy of these people will have an appeal....

Located in the countryside of Tainan County, the members of the Truth Family are devotees of I-Kuan Tao. From the town of Yuching it is a drive of ten minutes to reach the Truth Family Shrine. Although in name a Buddhist shrine, it is in fact just a plain three-story building. The large hall on the first floor contains several statues of Maitreya Buddha, as well as an assortment of different-sized chairs and tables and two television sets. It looks much like any living room in small-town Taiwan. The second floor is devoted to worship of Maitreya Buddha, and the third floor to the worship of the Ancient Mother of Limitless Heaven. All in all, the style is simple and down-home. On the first floor, there is a kitchen behind the Buddhist shrine. A courtyard, vegetable garden and various residences (studio apartments of 300-350 square feet) surround the building. Together these structures comprise a compound known as the Maitreya Community.

This is the home base of the Truth Family. In 1993 I-Kuan Tao adherent Chang Ho-ping, who had retired from his job with the Pingtung County Government for health reasons, came here and established a shrine with two other I-Kuan Tao believers. In this communal living arrangement, he embarked on the second half of his life. Many other I-Kuan Tao adherents who lived nearby and came to worship found that there were benefits to this way of life, and the community grew. Among the current members are even families of three generations that include in-laws. It has been 14 years since the community began, and now nearly 100 people live here.

In step with the rising membership, the physical facilities have also grown. The Truth Shrine has been expanded into a three-story building, and the surrounding residences have gradually grown in number. The complex has also purchased nearby real estate to use as orchards, vegetable gardens, and residences. The money for this real estate has come from the community as a whole, but the deeds are held under individual members' names. The members of the community provide the labor for the construction and farm work. The community's members have thrown themselves into building their home.