All are welcome to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday 2 September 2007

Firstly, a few events that took place in the past month. On 15^th July 2007, the Youth Group went out to the local bowling centre to enjoy a morning of bowling. The outing provided the youth an opportunity to interact and build up a relationship with each other on a more casual basis.

The Sunday gathering on the 29^th of July was a special one where our small Melbourne Tao arena was graced with the presence of Senior Grand Master Chan. She shared with us the Tao lineage, especially her personal experience and knowledge of our 18^th Patriachs Shi Zun and Shi Mu. We were indeed fortunate to be able to listen to her sermon, as usually her sermons were reserved for larger Tao arenas and a more senior Tao audience.

As we would be commemorating the enlightenment of Yuan Jue Da Di on the 30^th August, it would be adept to know more about him and his achievements.

Yuan Jue Da Di, Senior Grand Master Lu Gong, was named Shu Geng. He was born on the 9^th of the 8^th lunar month 1919, in Tai Zhong Province, Taiwan. His ancestors were charitable and were very sincere and respectful in the praying of Buddha and all deities. Since young, Lu Gong was upright by nature, resourceful and magnanimous.

In 1937, Lu Gong was deployed by the Japanese troops to the battle ground in Nan Jing Province, China. It was only because of injury that he was sent back to Taiwan for medical care. Since Lu Gong had survived numerous close encounters with death on the battlefields, he was no longer afraid of death and had gained a higher perspective of life. In 1940, Lu Gong worked in Tan Zi Library; there he read uncountable scriptures and books on Chinese history, laying a solid foundation for the vast knowledge of Tao and the will to cultivate oneself and respecting Buddha. As Taiwan regained its independence from the Japanese surrender in 1945, Lu Gong went to Pu Dong alone to set up a business. Through the hardships he endured there, Lu Gong was able to refine and strengthen his determination in performing all tasks.

The turning point of his life happened in the 5^th lunar month of 1946. Lu Gong received initiation in Shou De Prayer Hall. In a stroke of coincidence, Lu Gong met Xian Hua Da Di (Yang Gong) who had traveled from Jiang Su, China to Taiwan to propagate Heavenly Tao. As they were able to communicate in the same language, Lu Gong was enlightened by Yang Gong, whom he gained a great affinity with. Lu Gong accompanied Yang Gong all over the place to propagate Tao. Influenced by the great spirit of Yang Gong, Lu Gong put down all mundane matter and gave himself up for the propagation of Tao. From that day onwards, Tao affairs in Taiwan picked up gradually. In 1948, Lu Gong received the Heavenly Mandate to become a Master. After the passing of Xian Hua Da Di, Lu Gong took up the heavy responsibilities to promote and flourish Tao.

In 1961, our 18^th Patriach Shi Mu told Lu Gong not to practise Tian Ji Dao (The way of Heaven Secrets), Shi Pan Dao (The way of Sand Writing), Ren Qing Dao (The way of Interpersonal Relationships) and Xian Hua Dao (The way of Sighting Miracles). These ways of practicing the Heavenly Dao might mislead cultivators, while the one true way of cultivating is focusing on the Truth. Throughout Taiwan and overseas, Tao propagation grew. Much of this has to be credited to Yuan Jue Da Di who laid done the foundation. At the age of 64, Lu Gong returned to Heaven on the 18^th day of the 7^th lunar month in 1982, where he was awarded the title of Yuan Jue Da Di.

During all his life, Lu Gong focused heavily on following the footsteps of the Sages and very lightly on mundane matters. He traveled all around to introduce Tao to all, never once did he rest or complain. When he was alive, his grace and merciful actions were respected by all. Upon his death, his grace and spirit of never backing out of Tao no matter how difficult any situation may be, is remembered by every Tao cultivator.