Millions of Taiwanese are drawn to new religions. Why have so many chosen Weixinism?

The News Lens
Date: 2018/12/21
By: Liu Hsiu-yi

According to a 2014 report from the Pew Research Center, Taiwan ranks second-highest in religious diversity in the world. The many religious groups developing and coexisting in Taiwan, provide various teachings and practices that satisfy people with disparate religious needs. Under these circumstances, this article aims to find out the reason for people to choose Weixinism, or Weixin Shengjiao (唯心聖教).

Weixin Shengjiao is a new religious group in Taiwan, established by Grand Master Hun Yuan (who was previously named Teacher Zhang) in 1982 around the time the government was released from martial law. This religious group developed very rapidly. Indeed, they founded more than 70 rites in Taiwan for people to practice worship, learn the doctrines, perform the rituals, and so on.

The teachings of Weixinism are mainly based on Yi Ching (易經) and Feng Shui (風水), and also integrate the Three Teachings, i.e. Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. The religious group so aims to revitalize traditional Chinese culture, just like other religious groups such as Yiguandao (一貫道), Tiandiism (天帝教), and many other Taiwanese folk religious groups.

However, while the teachings of Yi Ching and Feng Shui are indeed features of Weixinism, some people may think this is the only reason for individuals to join this religious group. Thus, this article demonstrates why and how people choose Weixinism from the perspective of its followers.    [FULL  STORY]