Li-ism (rationalism), originally called "Tsai Li Chiao," was founded by Yang Lai-ju (1621-1753 A.D.) in the Ming dynasty. Its creed stresses traditional Chinese morals and ethics, such as loyalty and filial piety of Confucianism, world salvation and forgiveness of Buddhism, and the natural way and inaction of Taoism. It is, in fact, a mixture of all three religions, given a new dimension by the worship of Kuan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy).

Yang Lai-ju, the founder of Li-ism, was a scholar of the Ming dynasty. When the Manchu court issued orders to present special honors to the courtiers and recluse scholars of the previous dynasty, it tried to appoint him as magistrate of Mei Hsien in Kwangtung province. The patriot turned it down flatly, however, knowing that a loyal courtier could not serve two masters.

Alarmed by the fact that a lack of ethics and a moral code had led to the fall of the Ming dynasty, Yang Lai-ju sold his house and traveled to Shangtung, Hopei and Honan provinces, after first serving a three years' mourning period for his mother's death. He sought to forge alliances with all the patriots in China to stage an uprising to overthrow the Manchu court.

During his years of travelling in China, Yang experienced several "miraculous happenings," which eventually elevated his ambition from national revival to world salvation. The History of Li-ism describes how Kuan Yin, the sacred-personage of Li-ism, had showed herself twice to Yang to pass on the great doctrine and sacred classics to him.

Afterwards, the master led a reclusive life at Shui-lan Cave in Hopei province, cultivating his mind and heart. After completing Li-ism's ideological system for world salvation at the age of 81, Yang ended his withdrawal to the mountains to preach the doctrine of Li-ism. When he died, reputedly at the age of 133, Yang had written the classics, creed, commandments, and liturgy of Li-ism for his successors to follow. His adherents honored him as Yang Tsu (Master Yang).

Before he died, Master Yang had written the great law of Li-ism called Fa Pao Tieh Wen (precious and official decrees). Over the next 350 years, the law was passed down from generation to generation.

Chao Tung-shu, the 22nd tsung-ling-cheng (equivalent to cardinal in the Catholic church), explained the meaning of Tsai Li Chiao: "Tsai means cherishing, while Li means politeness, including adopting a social and national code. In short, tsai li means keeping to heavenly and earthly laws and moral codes."

Though Li-ism followers worship Kuan Yin, they never reject deities of other religions. They consider God may show His or Her person in different images, including Christ, the Buddha, or Mohammed. Adherents of Li-ism must strictly abstain from smoking, drinking or taking drugs. Like the Buddhists, they use incense, flowers and fruit during worship. Li-ism adherents can eat meat except on fast days, or the birthday of Kuan Yin which falls on the 19th day of the second month in the lunar calendar. It is said that Master Yang observed while preaching: "The world cultivates the mouth rather than the heart. Li-ism cultivates the mind rather than the mouth."

Before the Communist regime occupied the China mainland, more than 14 million Li-ism adherents had received tien li (baptism), and there were 4,800-odd Li-ism temples, with the largest concentrations in Peiping, Tientsin and Shanghai.

Following the fall of the mainland, many adherents came to Taiwan with the government. Administration was restored in 1950 with Chao Tung-shu serving as tsung-ling-cheng. The Li-ism General Council and the Ching Hsing Tang Li-ism temple was located on Chunghwa Road in Hsimenting in Taipei. Covering an area of 3,126 pings, the temple is patterned after the Chinese palace style of the Tang dynasty. Without using a single nail, the temple was built from 2,000-year-old pine timber.

Statistics show that up to June this year, Li-ism has established 20 temples in Taiwan with 200 priests and 15,000 adherents. Today, Li-ism has spread to Korea, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines. In 1952, Li-ism established a Sheng-li college for its adherents to study the classics. It also publishes two magazines--"On Loyalty and Filial Piety" and "Enlightenment on Li-ism" to expound its creed. Its adherents are always enthusiastic in participating in social service activities, including providing relief in winter, free medication, and scholarships.

A sudden fire which broke out on April 5, 1975, Tomb Sweeping Day, and the day of President Chiang Kai-shek's death, destroyed all the antiques, classics, documents, materials and the tsung-ling-cheng's manuscripts of the Li-ism General Council. The legend grew up that as the late President Chiang is a star that has descended to the world, when he returned to heaven, Kuan Yin came in person to receive him.

This explanation made the blow more bearable. Li-ism followers quickly resumed their philanthropic works for the public and vigorously proceeded with the reconstruction of the temple.

On June 30 this year, the 22nd tsung-ling-cheng, Chao Tung-shu died, and all the great masters of Li-ism gathered to select Chung Hsian-chiu, a national assemblyman and former secretary-general of Li-ism General Council to be the 23rd tsung-ling-cheng. It is hoped that this will be a new beginning for the development of Li-ism in Taiwan.

[Picture Caption]

Left: The inauguration ceremony of Chung Hsiang-chiu (in yellow robe), the 23rd tsung-ling-cheng of Li-ism. Right: Li-ism General Council Hall before it was burned down in 1975.

Left: Li-ism adherents worship Kuan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy). Right: A painting done by Prof. Lee Chi-mao, a famous local artist, shows master Yang Lai-ju and his first disciple Chang Shih-ku.

Li-ism General Council Hall before it was burned down in 1975.

Li-ism adherents worship Kuan Yin （the Goddess of Mercy）

A painting done by Prof. Lee Chi-mao, a famous local artist, shows master Yang Lai-ju and his first disciple Chang Shih-ku.