Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy

Friends from around the world gathering in Tai Ji Men for the New Year

Dancing with the dragon, celebrating a happy new year

Chinese New Year is a very important festival for family members gathering together. In the past ten years, Tai Ji Men has been holding Chinese New Year Gathering regularly. The number of participants is climbing higher each year. This year, the Chinese New Year Gathering was held in the evening on February 5 in Tai Ji Men Neihu branch academy featuring “Dragon Flying High to Bring Favorable Weather, Good Harvests, Peace and Prosperity”. Participants celebrate the beginning of the New Year in the context of Chinese festivity, learning the spirits of dragons and making good wishes. It is expected that the important guests will be inspired to work together to create a world of lasting peace. More than 500 guests including H.E Ambassador Jacques Y. Sawadogo of Burkina Faso, dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the ROC, H.E Ambassador Alhaji Ebrima N. H. Jarjou of Sao Tome and Principe, H.E Ambassador Alhaji Ebrima N. H. Jarjou of Gambia, H.E Ambassador Njabuliso B. Gwebu of Swaziland, and H.E Ambassador of Jasmine Huggins St. Kitts and Nevis representing 51 nations in different fields take part in the function. Heads of states and global leaders, including Queen of Jordan, President of Croatia, Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Minister of Israel, who cannot make their way to Tai Ji Men and Nelson Mandela Foundation also share their warm greetings and good words for the event.

In Chinese culture, dragons are sacred guardians. Along the pathway towards the entrance, visitor can see a flying dragon out of flowers symbolizing directing people towards the way of brightness. When you walk in and look up, you will see lanterns shining with glory representing the festivity of lantern festival. In addition, Tai Ji Celestial Dragon is performed by a group of young Tai Ji Men dizi aged between 3 and 6 years old to welcome the guests. The popular Mushu Dragon is also present together with the Gods of the Gate – Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong. Guests are led by Mushu Dragon to make New Year wishes and ring the gong to awaken guardians in heart. It is hoped that people will learn the spirit of dragon – mercy, courage and real wisdom—and work with the dragon to safeguard the earth. The beginning of the gathering is opened by the Mushu Dragon who wishes to protect animals and the earth together. After wife of Tai Ji Men Zhang-men-ren, Ms. Yu, May-Jun, sharing her blessing with all and ringing the gong, H.E Ambassador Jacques Y. Sawadogo of Burkina Faso, diplomatic envoys, and guests from different fields including academic, martial arts, religion, elected representatives, business, politics, medicine, education, media and non-governmental organizations make their wishes, rings the gong, shake hands with each other and clamor for keeping “our good heart hand in hand”. The gong is rung to spread the wishes of peace and prosperity.

On behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yi, Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan, Lin, Join-Sane appreciates contributions and achievements that Tai Ji Men has made, especially in spiritual cultivation, introducing Chinese culture and fostering physical health. “President Ma wants me to wish every one happiness in life, success in career in the future, and wish you all the best.” The wish that Secretary-General Lin make is that “peace and prosperity for every country and the Republic of China and everything is going well for all.” And, H.E Ambassador Jacques Y. Sawadogo of Burkina Faso, dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the ROC also wishes “prosperity for Tai Ji Men and ROC with better and better diplomatic relations. Taiwan people are greater and greater that create more co-operative opportunity for both countries.”

The performances are diverse and multi-faceted, making people feel like being in a live culture exhibitions. Special features include receiving guests with ancient ceremonies, folk activities in old times, and cultural exchange activities. The most unique for the year of dragon is the appearance of god of guardians. The dragon performance by Tai Ji Men dizi aged between 4 and 6 is spectacular. Despite of their young ages, the little performers have demonstrated the spirits under the guidance of Dr. Hong Dao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men and won applause from local and international friends. The dancing and martial art formation deliver the positive energies of helping the disadvantaged and safeguarding hometown. In the face of year 2012 with volatile changes and challenges, Tai Ji Men would like to invite global villagers to connect the wishes and energies of safeguarding the earth. In the opening speech, Dr. Hong Dao-Tze points out that “Dragon in Chinese culture is an auspicious celestial animal who safeguards humanity. Places where dragons exist are blessed lands of good luck and promise. On the day of lantern festival, the dragon lanterns can be found everywhere, symbolizing brightness and hope guiding people in darkness. It is expected that the kind hearts and good intentions will lead people to get close to lucks and steer clear of bad fortunes. Standing at the top of the world, we understand the world needs people with fortitude, courage, wisdom and kindness to safeguard it. The collective strength and memories of mutual endeavors are the best way to tie together the billions of life on earth. Our collective drive towards goodness will lead us to overcome difficulties and challenges ahead.”

The well-known Chinese New Year Gathering in Tai Ji Men has become an important annual event for local as well as foreign friends. Just a walk along the lane of folk activities will make you bathed in happy energies and take you back to the old times to appreciate the diverse festival celebrations. The popular song by Swedish pop group ABBA “Happy New Year” is also performed. The Tai Ji Men cultural performance, ancient culture with new vitality, is the highlight of the evening, featuring civil dancing and martial art formations. Presentations of different cultures are also arranged to facilitate cross-cultural understanding. Participants learn to appreciate the beauty of Japanese kimono, Indonesia songs, Turkish traditional weddings and folk dancing from Sao Tome Principe. The cross-cultural exchange has bridged the gap between peoples and connects the hearts of people around the world.

During the Chinese New Year holiday, Tai Ji Men especially made a series of Energy Family program featuring festivity and rich cultural heritages. The program walks you across the counties and townships in Taiwan to feel and touch the vitality of Taiwan and even takes you traveling across the globe making friends with different people. The 5 episodes of special program are now put on the web at www.taijimen.org and available 24/7. You are cordially invited to view the program online to receive positive energies. In addition, the Tai Ji Men website has already gathered more than 10 million clicks and a campaign of “Millions of good wishes to turn around the world” is held online to collect good wishes from all people. Please check out the website and make your good wishes for the New Year. Kind intentions and good qi travel around the world spreading the energy of love and we will all be blessed.