Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism
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The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism (FLK; Penglai ge, 蓬萊閣) observes the unified teachings of the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Fung Loy Kok was co founded by Moy Lin-shin and Mui Ming To in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong in 1968 on the grounds of the Yuen Yuen Institute. Its practices are based on Confucian propriety, Buddhist scriptures, and Taoist training methods.
The temple's teachings are based on the ancient spiritual traditions and culture of China. In the early 20th century these teachings were made available for the first time outside of the monasteries where they had remained for centuries. Moy Lin-shin and Mui Ming To founded the Institute with a vision of making these methods available and helping to alleviate suffering throughout the world for both the living and the dead, by pursuing the way of community service, rituals and ceremonies, and the cultivation of body and mind.
In 1970, Moy Lin-shin immigrated to Canada, where he started to teach wushu. He was most succesful in teaching Taoist Tai Chi and trained many of his students to become teachers themselves. He also founded the Taoist Tai Chi Society to facilitate his activities. For practicing and transmitting his knowledge of Taoism he opened a Fung Loy Kok high shrine at the Society's Bathurst Street location in Toronto in 1981. The Institute maintains altars to the Taoist deities the Jade Emperor, Guanyin, and Lü Dongbin.
The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism is the main organisaton founded by Moy Lin-shin. The other organisations founded by him, the Taoist Tai Chi Society and the Gei Pang Lok Hup Academy, work under the guidance and management of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism.
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[edit] Teachings
Over many centuries, the great teachings of Laozi, Buddha, and Confucius shaped the spiritual and moral fabric of Chinese life. The traditions they founded, namely Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, are considered in Fung Loy Kok to be complementary paths to the same spiritual goal.
- Taoism teaches returning to our original nature and recovering the state of health and purity we have at birth by cultivating our intrinsic energy.
- Buddhism teaches returning to our original consciousness by emptying the mind of thoughts, freeing it from the distractions and anxieties caused by desires.
- Confucianism teaches returning to our original goodness by cultivating benevolence, righteousness and social propriety.
[edit] Meditation
Meditation restores the calmness and peace of mind, lost through the desires and anxieties of daily life. Meditation clears the mind and relieves tension in both mind and body to allow the proper circulation of 'qi' or intrinsic energy. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the understanding that illness and aging are a result of blockages in the flow of qi throughout the body. Fung Loy Kok teaches meditation as a way of removing these blocks and "Returning to the Origin", to a state of health likened to that of a newborn child.
[edit] Chanting
A regular activity of Fung Loy Kok, chanting is practiced for self cultivation and as a service to the community. The rhythmic sounds of chanting calm the mind, while the regular deep breathing strengthens and cleanses the body by exercising the diaphragm and allowing the internal organs to relax. One finishes a chanting session with renewed vigour and a calmer disposition. Chanting is the basis of all temple ceremonies and is practiced for health and longevity and to seek protection from disaster, seeking forgiveness and relief from suffering for ourselves and others.
[edit] Ceremonies & Festivals
Fung Loy Kok offers chanting ceremonies on a regular basis and celebrates special festivals throughout the year. The largest of these, the All Souls Festival, takes place over several days each summer or fall. During this period, family and friends pay respects to their loved ones who have died and may arrange for memorial inscriptions honouring departed ancestors. Chanters seek to assure departed souls of a peaceful afterlife and to bring blessings to the living. At the family's request, temple members also chant for funerals and memorial services, and memorial plaques may be purchased at any time throughout the year. These plaques are permanently installed in the Fung Loy Kok Memorial Hall and receive perpetual care.
[edit] Community Service
Charity within the community is a central objective of Fung Loy Kok, and to further this goal we rely on the volunteer work of our members. The D'Arcy Street Centre of Fung Loy Kok in Toronto, Canada also serves as headquarters for the Golden Age Division of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada and provides a place for seniors and easy access to Taoist Tai Chi classes.
