Yuan Tze’s response to the concern
that Yuan Tze Ren Xue has the characteristics of a cult
6 December 2012
Greetings,
everyone! I didn’t expect to be presented with an opportunity to communicate
with you so soon after we have just spent two weeks together at the retreat. It
is a delight to be able to learn together this way.
During this past November retreat, several students
mentioned to us that someone was making extreme and untrue comments; the main
point being that Yuan Tze Ren Xue is a cult. We weren’t sure of the basis for
these comments and the motivation behind this behaviour. I noticed this
behaviour during the retreat and had been watching its development. I could see
that some students were being negatively affected by the comments, especially
those who were relatively new to Ren Xue. Towards the end of the retreat, some
students were feeling confused, uncertain, insecure, doubtful and worried. Some
started to experience stress, anxiety or even fear and hoped that I could give
some clarification.
Although some teachers suggested that I give some clarification
when this first started, I decided to adopt my usual way of dealing with untrue
and extreme comments about me and Ren Xue: that is not reacting and not
responding. Previously, exceptions to this have only been made under special
circumstances. Also, I was hoping that this would be an opportunity for
students to learn to see the objective reality clearly and make their own
judgements accordingly. However, this particular behaviour has not let up and
neither has its impact. I see the need to examine the situation and the
possible consequences more closely and have decided to make another exception
by writing this clarification. I believe this is a reasonable action and hope
it will at least help reduce or clear the disturbance or discomfort experienced
by students. Of course I am hoping this clarification will remove the many
labels being put on Ren Xue and me, the main one being the association of Ren
Xue with a cult.
It is not that difficult to get to the bottom of
whether Ren Xue has anything to do with a cult. We can do this by making
comparisons and contrasts between the characteristics of a cult and the
characteristics of Ren Xue. This should give us a clear enough picture.
Even though there may not be a clear definition of
a cult, there are many common characteristics.
Below is a list I have gathered, of the commonly agreed characteristics
of a cult or similar organization:
1.
A cult creates a God or idol.
a） deifying or idolizing the leader
b） creating mystery
c） claiming the leader is an incarnation or
representation of God or some divine figure
d） attaching sacred qualities to the leader or
doctrines
2.
A cult is a special organization.
a） highly developed organization
b） hierarchy and levels within the organization
c） tightly controlled organization
3.
A cult practises worship.
a) worshiping the leader
b）manners for worship
c）rituals for worship
d）worshiping doctrines
4.
A cult controls the behaviour and activities of followers in these
areas:
a） normal everyday life, including work
b） family relationships
c） social relationships
5.
A cult exercises mind control:
a） creating and infiltrating extreme and dangerous ideas; brainwashing
b） using misleading teachings
c） creating situations that incite fear
d）predicting the end of the world
e） enslaving people’s minds, so they lose their
independent ability to think and make sensible judgements, for insidious purposes
6.
A cult promotes anti-human (inhumane) behaviour. It may include
a） restricting freedom of movement
b）orgy
c）sexual abuse
d）physical harm
e）group suicide or terrorist attacks
7.
A cult controls and/or takes property and/or money from followers:
a）swindling followers out of money or property
b）blackmailing
8.
A cult is anti-science: the leader is the only saviour, the only
spokesperson of the absolute truth.
9.
A cult pursues power; including political power or influence.
The above is a rough summary of the more commonly
accepted views on the characteristics of a cult. Another important and commonly
accepted criterion used when judging whether an organization is a cult or not
is whether the organization is detrimental in its nature. We can interpret this
as being harmful, dangerous and destructive to individuals, family and society.
A cult in this sense is like a tumour that can obstruct the realization of
health, happiness, well-being and growth of human life, and of harmony and
progress within society.
With the above summary, it should be easier to see
the nature and characteristics of a cult or similar organization. Next, we
should have a look at Yuan Tze Ren Xue to see what it truly is. I will do my
best to adopt a rigorous approach and to be objective. I would also like to
invite all genuine Ren Xue students and practitioners to use the above summary to
make a comprehensive examination of Ren Xue and me, its founder. I think it is
a meaningful thing to do and it should be done. Doing this also honours the internal
approach of Ren Xue and is useful for checking if Ren Xue is developing in a way
that follows its own fundamental principles.
Before we start the review, I would like to
reiterate that the ‘Mission’ of Ren Xue is ‘Zi Du, Du Ren’ – uplift our own
lives and help others. This is where the core value of Ren Xue lies and is also
the goal and direction of Ren Xue. This is the lifeline of all the necessary
work we do as we implement Ren Xue. We can also say it is the ‘soul’ of Ren
Xue. (Please see ‘Yuan Tze Ren Xue 12345’ for the other fundamental
principles.)
Now allow me to use the above list to present the
core principles and the real situation of Ren Xue, going through all the nine
main points. Due to the constraints of time and space here, we will only look
at the headings rather than matching the subheadings. More details can be
presented in future if necessary.
The characteristics of Ren Xue compared with those
of a cult
(If you are interested, please read the ‘Ten
Features of Yuan Tze Ren Xue’ (see Voyage
to the Shore, Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3)
1.
A cult creates a God or idol.
a） deifying or idolizing the leader
b） creating mystery
c） claiming the leader is an incarnation or representation of God or some
divine figure
d） attaching sacred qualities to the leader or doctrines
1.1. One of the corner stones of Ren Xue is human life
science. It is my intention that Ren Xue continues to develop and becomes a
true science of human life so the knowledge of life can be used to understand
life and clarify the mysterious and inexplicable phenomena of life.
1.2. Helping people understand, develop and utilize
their human potential, including special abilities. Special abilities are
innate abilities of every human being. This process is also important in
helping people develop clarity in many mysterious phenomena.
2.
A cult is a special organization.
a） highly developed organization
b） hierarchy and levels within the organization
c） tightly controlled organization
The
organization and structure of Ren Xue
2.1 Yuan Tze Centre New Zealand has been operating as a
small company since its inception. The primary objective of this operation is
to promote Yuan Tze Ren Xue.
2.2 The Yuan Tze Ren Xue Center is a non-profit
organization established in 2010 in the USA. The operations of this
organization comply with the laws of the USA.
2.3 No other organization has been established apart
from the above two.
2.4 The teachers certified by Yuan Tze Centre have full
autonomy in determining how to run their own organizations and how to carry out
their teaching. There is no umbrella relationship between Yuan Tze Centre or
Yuan Tze Ren Xue Center and the teachers’ organizations. Yuan Tze only
occasionally gives advice to teachers on their teaching work and only when it
is necessary.
2.5 To date the Yuan Tze Ren Xue Center has not
certified any teachers.
2.6 In principle, my relationship with all my students
is a simple and casual teacher-student relationship. Although there are personal
friendships as a natural result of working together, there is certainly no
structured management involved.
3.
A cult practises worship.
a) worshiping the leader
b）manners for worship
c）rituals for worship
d）worshiping doctrines
3.1 It is against the principles of Yuan Tze Ren Xue to
worship any individuals, including me, the founder. This teaching is constantly
reiterated.
3.2 I have repeatedly made it clear to students that I
am an ordinary person who is just like everyone else. I don’t have special
abilities or gongfu and I am not on any high level. The only difference, if
people want to make the distinction, is that I started cultivating life earlier
than many. If I am at all higher because of that, it is only by the breadth of
a hair. I see myself as a person who is a true cultivator of life who is doing
his best to share his life cultivation experience with other people.
3.3 There are no rites or rituals of any sort in any
Ren Xue activities.
4.
A cult controls the behaviour and activities of followers in these
areas:
a） normal everyday life, including work
b） family relationships
c） social relationships
4.1 Participants have full autonomy and freedom to
decide whether they want to participate in our activities. Everyone is free to
decide when to come and when to leave.
4.2 Ren Xue has no involvement in or interference with
students’ family life. Everyone is free to organize their own family life
according to their ideas or beliefs.
4.3 Everyone has full autonomy and total freedom to determine
their social relationships and the people they want to associate with. Yuan Tze
Centre is not involved whatsoever in participant’s relationships.
4.4 During our activities, students have full autonomy
and freedom apart from complying with the basic requirements necessary for the
smooth running of group activities and for certain practices.
4.5 Ren Xue teaching encourages and facilitates students
to identify habits and patterns that might cause harm to health (body and
mind), life development and harmonious relationships through various ways.
However, students have the full right to decide what they want to do with
teachings and whether they want to turn them into action. No one is forced to accept
the teachings or make change.
5.
A cult exercises mind control:
a） creating and infiltrating extreme and dangerous ideas; brainwashing
b） using misleading teachings
c） creating situations that incite fear
d）predicting the end of the world
e） enslaving people’s minds, so they lose their independent ability to
think and make sensible judgements, for insidious purposes
5.1 It is no secret that human consciousness and the
patterns of the consciousness are of utmost significance in the system of Ren
Xue.
5.2 In Ren Xue, the consciousness is the master of
behaviour, of the body, of Qi and of life. It is also where the deepest roots
of human problems lie, including health problems. It is therefore the key to
dealing with problems at their root levels.
5.3 Ren Xue is based on ‘wisdom culture’ with the
support of modern civilization and culture. It is a system that sets out to
explore the laws of human consciousness, of the development of human life, of
society and nature. The discovery and understanding of the laws can help shed
light on understanding human problems and problems can be dealt with
effectively and safely by following the laws. The prerequisite to elevating the
level of the consciousness safely and effectively is following the law of the
consciousness in the context of the law of life. This is the way to gradually
restore life so it can manifest its normal properties of health and growth.
5.4 In Ren Xue, the work to improve the state of the
consciousness and raise the level of the consciousness is greatly emphasized.
More importantly and specifically, the identification of patterns on the
consciousness level and the work on changing problematic patterns is a process
that cannot be spared. In fact, this is an ongoing process as new patterns will
surface and require change as old ones are dealt with properly. This process
plays a key role in whether a Ren Xue practitioner is able to truly change life
and change their destiny (their own individual law of life).
5.5 Ren Xue makes the transformation and elevation of
the consciousness its core focus of work on life. Strictly speaking, it is done
by helping people know themselves better so they can clear the obstacles in the
way of a healthy, happier and a more developed life. In other words, it is to
help people gain a life that is truly healthy and happy, with a strong sense of
well-being and growth. Eventually, the most valuable asset of life –
realization and wisdom – will be attained.
Learning to gain a better understanding of human
consciousness and to identify problems that need to be addressed should not be
interpreted as ‘brainwashing’. The process of using this understanding to see
the problematic patterns of the consciousness and to make a good effort to
change the patterns properly should not be interpreted as ‘mind control’. I
believe it is only a minute percentage of the participants of Ren Xue who
insist on thinking this way. It is fortunate that Ren Xue as a new comer in human
culture, is gaining a lot of understanding and support. This is largely because
it is based on ‘wisdom culture’.
6.
A cult promotes anti-human (inhumane) behaviour. It may include:
a） restricting freedom of movement
b）orgy
c）sexual abuse
d）physical harm
e）group suicide or terrorist attacks
6.1 In Ren Xue, the value of true love and respect is
of utmost importance. Ren Xue teachings cannot emphasize enough the importance
of true love and respect for all human beings, families, societies, nations,
all forms of life in nature, nature and the universe. This is because life is
invaluable; it is the greatest asset of the universe.
6.2 In Ren Xue activities, participants are encouraged
to create and nurture a family atmosphere so everyone can help, respect,
support, love and learn from one another. This is so that participants can
build a healthy and positive relationship with one another and work and grow
together in this temporary family. There is no parent in this family. I am one
of the members too. I also play the role of primary facilitator in the family,
having a relationship with other family members that is equal and mutually
supportive and respectful so we can all learn and grow together.
7.
A cult controls and/or takes property and/or money from followers:
a）swindling followers out of money or property
b）blackmailing
7.1 The source of income of the Yuan Tze Centre NZ is
very simple. It has always been the fees charged for the activities run by the
Centre and the products sold in the normal way. There are no other sources of
income.
7.2 At this initial stage of development of the Yuan
Tze Centre, it is necessary to generate income to cover expenses and keep the
Centre running smoothly. Although Yuan Tze Centre is not a non-profit
organization, it is not operated in the usual commercialized way. Even when it was
in desperate need of financial injection, it was imperative that we did not
commercialize Ren Xue. As Ren Xue continues to develop, it will gradually
transition to a non-profit, charitable operation. At this stage, Yuan Tze
Centre NZ still is still doing its best to follows the principle of ‘providing
high-quality services at an affordable price’.
7.3 With the Yuan Tze Ren Xue Center, the non-profit
organization established in the USA, we have taken another step forwards in the
transition to a non-profit, charitable operation.
8.
A cult is anti-science: the leader is the only saviour or the only spokesperson
of the absolute truth.
8.1 In principle, Ren Xue sees science as a necessary
path for humanity to move forward in its civilization. Ren Xue is not
anti-science. In fact, Ren Xue is built upon wisdom culture with the support
and incorporation of modern science and its achievements. Strictly speaking,
science is one of the corner stones of Ren Xue. Without science, Ren Xue
wouldn’t be what it is.
8.2 Of course Ren Xue also has its own ways of seeing
and interpreting some of the phenomena and occurrences observed in the
development of science and technology.
8.3 The long-term goal of the development of Ren Xue is
to establish and complete a true science of human life. This requires continual
work in exploring and discovering the laws of life and nature. This is a task
that takes time to develop. At the moment, the focus is on building the
foundation and framework that are necessary for constructing the edifice of
human life science.
8.4 In Ren Xue there is no external ‘saviour’. One can
only be one’s own saviour. As to the topic of ‘truth’, I would like to say: ‘truth
does exist and it should stand the test of time and application.’
9.
A cult pursues power; including political power or influence.
9.1 As most of you will know, one of my main teaching methods
is through answering students’ questions. This is also an important opportunity
for me to have communication and interaction with students. I am willing to
answer all questions but I also have a principle of not talking about four specific
topics: politics, religion, people’s personal relationship problems and conspiracy
theories. I think this is enough to express the position of Ren Xue in relation
to these areas.
9.2 Even at times when the above topics are unavoidable
because they may be involved in the problems we are attempting to understand
and deal with, they are discussed from the perspective of ‘exploring their
fundamental laws’.
9.3 In the development of Ren Xue, there has never been
unlawful or immoral procurement or use of power. I have always insisted there
is no absolute leader in Ren Xue. I am not a leader or parent; rather, I am the
primary facilitator and a person who may be able to offer help when needed.
9.4 Why is it that Ren Xue is kept at a distance from
politics? This is because they are two totally different paths. Politics
achieves its objectives through external measures, often involving external
struggle. Ren Xue, however, is following an internal path. Individuals work internally
to identify the real causes of human problems and to change them. We are
fighting our own enemies as we do this. This approach is adopted in Ren Xue
because the root causes of most human problems are within each individual human
being. Through this internal approach, we improve our own lives and help other
fellow human beings to improve their lives. It is a different approach for
achieving a harmonious and healthy society.
The above is the explanation of Ren Xue against the
nine characteristics of a cult. Finally, one more important criterion we need
to use in this review of Ren Xue is to examine its nature to see if Ren Xue is
‘detrimental’ as is a cult.
The goal of Ren Xue and the work we have done has consistently
been helping individual human beings develop clarity in setting sound goals and
direction and establishing good values (value system). Also in helping provide the knowledge and
tools for individuals to work on and elevate their lives in order to achieve a
higher level of harmony within themselves. With this development, they are also
encouraged to take up the responsibility for helping other people and society,
safely and effectively. If more people do this, a harmonious society will develop
around us. On another level, human beings are natural beings. We are part of
nature. We all need to learn to respect nature and follow the law of nature in
order to achieve a harmonious relationship with nature. If we can do this, the world
of ‘human and nature being one’ will also develop around us.
Even though using this path of Ren Xue to help
people is not an easy one and the future will be full of challenges, I will
continue to tread it no matter what. At least I am certain that this is a good
path for life and I am doing the right thing. Of course, it is you the students
and practitioners of Ren Xue that give me the confidence. Because you have been
doing the hard work of applying Ren Xue to yourself and demonstrating the
positive effect of Ren Xue in terms of the progress you have made in your life
with benefits to yourself, your family, society and nature. You have proven
that Ren Xue works. You are truly brave and admirable. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank you for your firm support and understanding, your
effort and the help you have given to other people and to society.
Some
may still be wondering: now I can see more clearly how Ren Xue does not share
the characteristics of a cult or similar organization, but how do I know that
Ren Xue will not develop in that direction in future? I can answer this
question with complete certainty. Ren Xue is not a cult now and it will never
become one. This is a serious matter as it concerns the fundamental values of
Ren Xue. There is no room for the development of Ren Xue in that direction. It
won’t be a possibility while I am alive and it won’t be a possibility when I am
not alive. One important principle for the development of Ren Xue is to follow
the teachings, rather than follow the teachers. This principle will never
change and cannot be changed.
It looks like it is time to end this message. I
think I have said all I need to for now. Some of you may know that writing is
not my strength. It took me two days to squeeze this much out of myself. It is
nothing fantastic but I think what I am saying is reliable. I will be very
happy if you find this message makes sense. If you wish to know the basics of
Ren Xue, especially the teachings given during major events, you can always use
the trilogy of Voyage to the Shore.
Once again, thank you, everyone. I also want to thank
the person who created this issue as this has been a great opportunity for us
to communicate and to learn and grow.
Your sincerely,
Yuan Tze