Congressman Ed Royce rings the “Bell of World Peace and Love”

On the eve of the Lantern Festival, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles held “2016 Chinese New Year Gathering” at Rowland Heights Community Center on Feb. 21. Approximately 350 people from all circles attended the event to experience the jubilation of a traditional Chinese New Year celebration. The event, with the theme: “The Light of Goodness, 50 Years of Glory,” was held in ten cities around the globe as part of a series of events celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy. On the joyous occasion, the brilliant achievements of the movement of An Era of Conscience, which has spread to 196 nations, was shared, and U.S. Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, rang the “Bell of World Peace and Love” to pray for California, the U.S., and the whole world.

Culture is the lifeline of a nation and also serves as a bridge to bring global citizens closer together, enhancing friendships that transcend national boundaries. Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, a recognized “International Ambassador of Peace and Goodwill,” received warm congratulations on its 50th anniversary from friends throughout the world. A precious video clip of Tai Ji Men’s promotion of the culture of love and peace worldwide as well as the movement of An Era of Conscience was presented.  Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, stated in his opening remarks: “Culture is the foundation of a nation, while heart is the core of a person. Tai Ji Men has spread its cultural heritage to the world with the objective of nourishing conscience and uniting people with consciences to work for the wellbeing of the world. The beginning of a new year is a time for creating something new and making changes. In the face of upcoming challenges, we all have to adapt to the changing times, to respect nature and fulfill our duties by starting with a change in our hearts.”

As natural and man-made disasters have occurred frequently, a special ceremony of ringing the “Bell of World Peace and Love” was held, and U.S. Congressman Ed Royce rang the bell to pray for California, the U.S., and the whole world. When asked about the experience of ringing the bell, he said, “It’s a powerful feeling. It’s a feeling you really feel in your heart because this bell has been rung many times for peace around the world. It’s traveled all over the planet. The concept here of trying to bridge and throw that lifeline to other cultures and understand other cultures . . . the belief that we should all follow our conscience, listen to our conscience, listen to our heart, and spread love and peace, this is what the world really needs, so it is a good feeling to be here today . . . I’m the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I’ve been to many countries in the world. I have not been to as many countries as this bell has visited, and so that also is a powerful thought that we are reaching out to every culture, every community around the world and spreading the message. It’s a humbling feeling.” He mentioned that Lunar New Year is also “a time to reflect on values, and so this reflection on these values of love and peace and balance and what we can all do to bring about a better world. It’s a very important message.” Mary Su, mayor pro tem of the City of Walnut and Councilmembers Eric Ching and Nancy Tragarz of the City of Walnut jointly presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze for Tai Ji Men’s promotion of love and peace as well as its spreading of positive energy over the years.

At the celebration, representatives in various fields jointly pledged to “Activate the Conscience and Joyfully Create a New Era.” The event was graced by distinguished guests including U.S. Congressman Ed Royce; Mary Su, mayor pro tem of the City of Walnut; Councilmembers Nancy Tragarz and Eric Ching of the City of Walnut; Helen Hall, president of the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board; Hans Liang, Councilmember of Monterey Park; Dr. Marina Tse, former Chief of the Western United States Office of the U.S. Department of Labor and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education; Patrick Wang, representative of California State Senator Bob Huff, etc.  Congratulatory notes for the event were also received from Pope Francis; the Queen and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Prime Minister of Ireland; King of Thailand; Prince of Monaco; President of Israel; Prime Minister of Denmark; Prime Minister of Spain; Prime Minister of Singapore; Charles, Prince of Wales; Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; President of the Philippines; President and Prime Minister of Pakistan; Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; Prime Minister of Madagascar; Governor-General of Jamaica; former President of Croatia; UN ambassadors; government officials and congress members from various nations.

Tai Ji Men conveyed its sincerest Lunar New Year wishes to all attendees through its magnificent program; additionally, Grupo Congo Istmeno de Panama, a cultural group of Congolese Panamanians, also delivered colorful music and dance performances. On this occasion of cultural exchange and warm reunion of families and friends, many people brought their children to experience the unique cultural feast and see young people carrying forward an ancient culture.  From Tai Ji Men’s martial arts formation and dances, one can see the beauty of an excellent culture presented in a variety of forms. The choral performance of “Love and Peace Song” expressed the heartwarming energy of love and peace.  A group of young dancers delivered an energetic dance called “Happiness is Everywhere,” galvanizing the whole room. At the end of the program, the performers invited all participants to join the movement of An Era of Conscience to further expand the culture of goodness to all corners of the earth. Over the past half century, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy has cherished the value of culture, and it would like to extend its gratitude to all individuals and organizations that have worked together to protect the culture that Tai Ji Men has nurtured and preserved.

About Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy’s 50th anniversary

The 2016 Chinese New Year Gathering is part of a series of events in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy.  Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze is the Zhang-men-ren (leader) of Tai Ji Men, an ancient menpai (similar to school) of qigong, martial arts, and self-cultivation. He established the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in 1966, and currently there are 14 branches around the world. Dr. Hong teaches his dizi (similar to students) ways to attain the body-mind balance; thousands of families have benefited from his teaching. In the 21^st century, Tai Ji Men preserves the ancient tradition of the shifu-dizi (similar to master-disciple) relationship.  Tai Ji Men’s shifu and dizi have used money out of their own pockets to travel every populated continent of the world, conducting goodwill cultural exchanges and have won the recognition of “International Ambassadors of Peace and Goodwill.”  Over the years, they have visited over 200 cities in 60 nations, volunteered over 2 million man-hours, and presented over 2000 cultural performances across the planet.  As a nonprofit organization, it has devoted to the promotion of a culture of love and peace.

U.S. Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, rings the “Bell of World Peace and Love,” which has visited every populated continent on earth, to pray for California, the U.S., and the world.

Mary Su, mayor pro tem of the City of Walnut (first from left); Councilmember Eric Ching of the City of Walnut (first from right); Councilmember Nancy Tragarz of the City of Walnut (second from right); jointly present a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men (second from left) for Tai Ji Men’s promotion of love and peace as well as its spreading of positive energy over the years.

Representatives in various fields jointly pledge to "Activate the Conscience and Joyfully Create a New Era." Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men (middle); Councilmember Eric Ching of the City of Walnut (first from left); Dr. Marina Tse, former Chief of the Western United States Office of the U.S. Department of Labor and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (second from left); Councilmember Nancy Tragarz of the City of Walnut (third from left); Helen Hall, president of the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board (third from right); U.S. Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs (second from right); Patrick Wang, representative of California State Senator Bob Huff (first from right).

With beautiful smiles on their faces, Tai Ji Men young dancers gracefully displayed the red ribbon balls, symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and blessings. At the start of the Year of the Monkey, they wish all people health, safety, and peace through their elegant dance.

At the 2016 Chinese New Year Gathering, attendees from all circles experience the jubilation of traditional Chinese New Year and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy.