The Transformation of Yiguan Dao in Taiwan : Adapting to a Changing Religious Economy

The most influential sect in the Chinese mainland in the 1940s, Yiguan Dao was largely destroyed in mainland China in 1953. Yiguan Dao not only survived, however, but developed into the largest sect in Taiwan, despite its suppression by the Kuomintang state. In 1987, through relentless efforts, the sect finally gained legal status in Taiwan. Today, Yiguan Dao not only thrives in Chinese societies, but has also become a world-wide religion which has spread to more than sixty countries. This book, based on fieldwork conducted in 2002 in Taiwan, is the first English-language scholarly study exclusively focusing on Yiguan Dao. Lu includes a history of Yiguan Dao in mainland China, but focuses on the sect's evolution in Taiwan in the past few decades. Specifically, he probes the operation of Yiguan Dao under suppression in the past twenty years, and examines the relationship between Yiguan Dao and its rivals in Taiwan's religious market. The Transformation of Yiguan Dao in Taiwan develops the religious economy model by extending it to Chinese societies. "The Transformation of Yiguan Dao in Taiwan is the first English-language scholarly study exclusively focusing on Yiguan Dao. Utilizing fieldwork conducted in 2002 in Taiwan, Yunfeng Lu provides a history of Yiguan Dao in mainland China and focuses on the sect's evolution in Taiwan in the past few decades. Lu probes the operation of Yiguan Dao under suppression over the past twenty years, and examines the relationship between Yiguan Dao and its rivals in Taiwan's religious market. The Transformation of Yiguan Dao in Taiwan also develops the religious economy model by extending it to Chinese societies. It is essential reading for anyone interested in religion and contemporary Chinese society."--Jacket The Transformation Of Yiguan Dao In Taiwan 1 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 12 Introduction 14 1 Yiguan Dao in Mainland China: 1930–1953 34 2 Yiguan Dao on Taiwan: 1949–1987 60 3 Helping People to Fulfill Vows: Religious Commitment in Yiguan Dao 84 4 Market Forces and Religious Experiences 104 5 Deregulation and Organizational Transformation 126 6 Doctrinal Transformation within Yiguan Dao 150 Conclusion 170 Appendix 1 A List of Yiguan Dao Divisions in Taiwan 182 Appendix 2 Functional Teams of Meal Groups 184 Appendix 3 Dharma Assemblies Conducted by the Fayi Lingyin Division in 1992 186 Appendix 4 The Purpose of Dao (Dao Zhi Zong Zhi) 188 Glossary 190 References 198 Index 208 Yunfeng Lu explores the operation of Yiguan Dao under suppression in Taiwan, its transformation from a persecuted sect to a respected religion in the past two decades, and the relationship between Yiguan Dao and its rivals in Taiwan's religious market. He also develops the religious economy model by extending it to Chinese societies.