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All Souls Festival gives the living an opportunity to express filial piety, harmony and dedication by honouring ancestors, relatives and friends who have passed away.
Beautiful paper bags decorated with symbols of longevity, balance and comfort in the afterlife hold paper offerings to be burnt.
Buddhist and Taoist temples around the world observe All Souls Festival during the first half of the 7th lunar month when the gates of the realm of the dead are opened and the souls of the deceased can receive offerings.
Paper offerings help the souls.
Reflections on the 8 Virtues: Honour
Integrity – Incorruptible – Taking only what you deserve, having earned it
As a child I often got into trouble. I was a turbulent boy, disruptive, easily distracted, and very impressionable. Looking back, I understand I probably had ADHD. My parents were often exasperated by my behaviours and attitudes. My father in particular was not shy about sharing his irritation. I became a very unstable teenager and young adult, both physically and mentally. I used a lot of drugs and at times abused alcohol. I am also aware that I was abused at different levels. Despite all that, I was and remain a “bon vivant” although I lacked self-confidence, and was delinquent at times. Desiring acceptance I grew to be selfish, greedy and arrogant.
When I joined the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, I had no idea that I would be taught The Eight Virtues and it took me a few years to begin to absorb these teachings. Now, all the reflections that we regularly hear nourish me, touch me deeply and give rise to a precious and soothing sensitivity.
The virtue of Honour in particular, outlined in the booklet, the Eight Confucian Virtues, is helping me to develop into a better person. Generosity, humility, frugality and compassion are the qualities that I now aim for and I find myself supported in this journey by the great family of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism and by people dear to me in my personal life.
~Frederic
On arrival, the Centre atmosphere was full of a quiet energy; clean and fresh with nothing out of place; the garden was a joy. The kitchen was ready. The volunteers from the sessions had been busy caring for our home in preparation for the arrival of visiting members.
Built on the foundation of the Saturday calls with FLK, a transformation of mind and body took place over the June retreat. The changes came in the continuous practice of Danyu and Toryu and the foundations; following the feeling inside, coiling, no pushing, no thinking, no shoulders, patience and balance – ‘Use the principles’.
Circles developed over and over, allowing the hands to express what was happening inside; finding precision in the angles helped following the direction and letting go of the form.
Worrying brings tension so we didn’t worry and the feeling grew stronger as it went deeper.
Have a look at this documentary examining the practices taught by Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism. It explores how Taoist spirituality is rooted in the cultivation of health through the transformation of body, mind and spirit.
Click to watch full video
A 7-day Taoist Retreat in the European Centre helped us see a way to live our lives more peacefully, developing healthier habits through daily practise; not rushing, not worrying, but taking the time to be soft, feel the inside, balance and improve step by step. We were helped to see the importance of a strong foundation, and what we can work on as individuals and as part of this amazing organisation; to see what we have and how we can use that to benefit ourselves and others.
Following this path, brings us closer to the Tao, to clarity and harmony, and rewards us with self-discipline and self-discovery. These arts are an integral part of Mr Moy’s teachings, which can be applied everywhere, all the time, to improve ourselves and our relationships. Applying them in the administration of the organisation gives us an example of how to apply them in everyday life.
Looking after each other, with the focus on harmony, we saw how working together as a group (including participants with a range of experience from several months to more than 30 years) helped us all to learn more and develop.
Here are some participants comments:
The pain I had in my neck is gone now. In a rush to get well, I’d become too external. With the softness, I give myself permission to take care of myself, to get well.
It feels like a stone has moved from my chest area. I’m lighter and more free.
I’m feeling the ground force, not the arms or legs, just balance.
I’ve more engagement with the whole spine.
Concentrating on balance, there was much less effort involved.
I felt my chest was warmer, like I’d had a massage.
I have a sense of an inner body and outer body; the outer body is flexible but I realise the inner body is very stiff. I need to practise softly a lot more.
It’s so nice to be able to let go of myself and follow the group.
The Ching Ming Festival provides an opportunity to honor our family members who came before us. By paying respect to our ancestors, we bring peace and prosperity to future generations.
In March, eighty participants traveled from all over New Zealand to take part in a one-day Retreat hosted by the Wellington branch, which was also a celebration marking 30 years of Taoist Tai
Chi™ arts for their Branch. A cake-cutting ceremony was held, with bubbles for a toast. The
festivities continued in the evening with a formal and delicious banquet, and congratulatory
speeches from our National President, invited dignitaries, and others. Our honoured guests
included Green Party MP the Hon Julie Anne Genter, who spoke about living in harmony with
nature, and Hutt City Councillor Glenda Barratt, who relayed to the Society the best wishes and
congratulations of the Mayor and Council on our achieving 30 years practice in the Wellington
community. Sunday was devoted to our Leaders in Training — we practiced, listened and discussed his
teachings.
Here are some comments from those who attended the Retreat and training:
I thought I was good – now I am better.
I found a deep opening especially in my upper body – level eyes.
Connectedness, acceptance, wholeness of the group.
Smaller circles.
I understood the giving of the mind something to do.
Look into the distance – just let go. Softening my gaze allows my Tai Chi to be softer.
Let it go, let it happen. Let go and trust.
En“lightening”. I became more aware of balance when I was gazing ahead.
Through the softness you can find connection.
Foundations, then moves, then more foundations, more moves, worked really well for me.
Expand rather than lean.
Soft dan-yu – timing is everything.
Keeping my head in line with my spine kept everything soft and connected. Glorious.
It was a great opportunity to see the Society through the eyes of new people.
When I return to a session after the Retreat folks will say: Tell us what has changed. I will reply ME.
The Bodhisattva Goon Yam (Guanyin) inspires us to take to heart her example of compassion. Fung Loy Kok participants from many countries chant to pay respect to Goon Yam and to express our intention to bring peace and harmony to the world.
Yesterday people of all ages from around the world gather to celebrate the Festival of Lord Lao (Laozi, Lao-Tzu). In coming together to chant for the world and give thanks for the teachings of Taoism, we all benefit from the opportunity it offers to transform ourselves to become better people.
