Tai Ji Men marks 60 years with Toronto peace and culture program

Tai Ji Men held a three-day cultural and educational program in Toronto from Oct. 2 to 4 to mark its 60-year legacy in holistic education. The event drew former heads of state, provincial officials and more than 600 disciples as Grandmaster Dr. Hong Tao-Tze promoted conscience, peace and sustainability.

Why it matters: - The Toronto program tied Tai Ji Men’s 60-year milestone to a broader push for holistic education, conscience and peace. - The event brought together former national leaders, Canadian officials and hundreds of participants from ages 8 to 77, showing the group’s reach across generations and borders. - The program highlighted a message that education, culture and civic values can be linked to real-world peacebuilding.

What happened: - Tai Ji Men held a three-day cultural and educational program, “A World of One Heart — Peace and Sustainability,” at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto from Oct. 2 to 4. - The event coincided with Culture Days and included performances at the Bluma Appel Theatre and other venues. - More than 600 Tai Ji Men dizi took part onstage and behind the scenes. - The performances featured traditional Eastern martial arts, music, dance and other cultural presentations. - Five former heads of state and government attended, along with officials from several countries and leaders from different fields. - Former leaders from Croatia, Trinidad and Tobago, Bhutan, Lesotho and Ecuador joined Grandmaster Dr. Hong Tao-Tze during the Oct. 3 program. - Jerry White, a leader in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, also took part. - The group illuminated the “PEACE 60” display to symbolize a shared hope for a peaceful and sustainable future. - Dr. Hong rang the Bell of World Peace and Love nine times and led the audience in prayer for peace.

The details: - Dr. Hong said he teaches Tai Ji Men dizi qigong, martial arts, self-cultivation and yin-yang philosophy. - Dr. Hong described Tai Ji Men’s approach as rooted in the heart, qi, self-cultivation and putting values into action. - Dr. Hong said Tai Ji Men promotes lifelong learning for people of all ages. - Dr. Hong said the organization offers global citizenship education that transcends race, national borders and religious beliefs. - Dr. Hong said holistic education should nurture the body, mind and spirit through love and conscience. - Dr. Hong said conscience, love and action are necessary to sustain humanity. - Dr. Hong has advocated for the United Nations’ International Day of Conscience and International Day of Hope. - Former Prime Minister of Lesotho Pakalitha B. Mosisili praised Dr. Hong’s work over the past 60 years and called the International Day of Hope and the International Day of Conscience significant achievements. - Former President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona said education should teach kindness and honesty to help future leaders promote peace. - Monica Sanchez, president of the Miss CARICOM Int’l Foundation, praised the way the performances brought different cultures together. - Sanchez said music, dance and character portrayals can create a meaningful learning experience. - Sanchez said people worldwide can embrace differences and work together toward peace, love and conscience.

Between the lines: - The Toronto event framed culture as a tool for public diplomacy, not just performance. - Tai Ji Men used the anniversary to connect its educational message to international recognition and global moral language such as conscience, hope and sustainability. - The appearance of former national leaders gave the event political symbolism as well as cultural visibility. - Ontario’s public congratulations suggest the group has built standing within local multicultural and civic circles.

What's next: - Tai Ji Men said the “PEACE 60” message points toward its next 60 years of peace advocacy. - The organization will likely continue combining cultural performance, education and international outreach to promote conscience and peace. - The event’s recognition in Canada and from overseas leaders may support future exchanges and public programs.

The bottom line: - Tai Ji Men used its Toronto anniversary event to position holistic education and conscience as practical tools for peace across generations and cultures.

The details: - Former President of Croatia Ivo Josipović presented Dr. Hong with a certificate of appreciation calling him “a moral visionary and advocate of the conscience movement.” - The certificate recognized Dr. Hong’s commitment to holistic education, cultural preservation and individual conscience as a guide to peace. - Former President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona presented a Certificate of Commemorative and Honorary Tribute for Dr. Hong’s contributions to physical and mental well-being and cultural preservation. - Former Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigmi Yoser Thinley presented a certificate of recognition for Dr. Hong’s leadership and contributions to human well-being. - In August, former Prime Minister of Lesotho Pakalitha B. Mosisili presented Dr. Hong with the Global Conscience and Peace Leadership Award. - Jerry White presented Dr. Hong with the Humanitarian and Peace Laurel Award. - Mosisili also presented Dr. Hong with a commemorative gift marking Lesotho’s 60th anniversary of independence. - Former Minister of Education, Science and Culture of Suriname Henry R. Ori attended the Oct. 4 program and praised Tai Ji Men’s efforts to connect peace and sustainability through cultural and educational activities. - Ontario Premier Doug Ford, MPP Aris Babikian and other provincial officials sent congratulations through letters and certificates of appreciation. - Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Graham McGregor recognized Tai Ji Men’s work in education, cultural exchange, community engagement, peacebuilding and the promotion of conscience, love and mutual respect in Canada. - McGregor also acknowledged Dr. Hong’s educational and cultural activities as contributions to mutual understanding and a more harmonious society. - Tai Ji Men said its dizi have carried out cultural exchanges in 123 countries over the past 60 years. - The Tai Ji Men Children’s Choir performed “Golden Kingdom,” an original musical that says conscience is more precious than gold. - The event included participants aged 8 to 77, underscoring the group’s multigenerational structure. - Photo captions identified the PEACE 60 illumination, the scale of dizi participation and the choir performance as key moments from the program.

Why it matters: - The event reinforced Tai Ji Men’s effort to connect arts education with values-based civic education. - The presence of former heads of state and government gave the organization a high-level platform to amplify its message beyond the Taiwanese diaspora and beyond the stage. - The focus on conscience, hope and sustainability reflects a response to current global turmoil through cultural education rather than politics alone.