Yi Guan Dao (I-Kuan Tao)

As introduced by the Taiwan Yearbook 2006:

The term I-Kuan Tao can be roughly translated as "Religion of One Unity". I-Kuan Tao evolved from Sian Tian Dao, which was founded by Huang De-huei in the 17th century in China. It gained in popularity in the early 20th century due to vigorous promotion by its leaders Jhang Tian-ran and Sun Huei-ming. After World War II, followers of I-Kuan Tao moved across the strait to promote their beliefs in Taiwan. I-Kuan Tao quickly attracted a substantial following due to its compatibility with popular religion.

I-Kuan Tao's rapid expansion in Taiwan was curbed after 1950, as the government alleged that I-Kuan Tao was involved in illegal activities and banned its public functions. Some research shows that the government's crackdown on I-Kuan Tao was politically motivated; to the government, which relied on martial law to maintain social stability at that time, I-Kuan Tao's ability to draw large crowds and its incorporation of secretive teachings from various clandestine religious sects made it a potential threat to social order. Therefore, I-Kuan Tao was forced to develop underground and use believers' home shrines as nodes for communication and expansion. It was only after the abolition of martial law that I-Kuan Tao was allowed to register as a religion.

I-Kuan Tao considers that Dao (Tao, "the Way") underlies the doctrines of Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, with Dao being passed on to saints and religious leaders, including those of the aforementioned five religions as well as I-Kuan Tao. I-Kuan Tao followers believe in one god above all other gods, called Ming Ming Shang Di (the God of Clarity), and worship several figures including Lao-tzu, Confucius, Sakyamuni Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammad, as well as deities of popular religion and important figures of I-Kuan Tao. Adherents follow many rituals of Confucianism, and usually hold services at family shrines. Personal sublimation and a life of service are key tenets in the I-Kuan Tao moral philosophy, with adherents devoting a great deal of their resources to social work and charities and establishing many cultural and education units to promote traditional teachings, especially those of Confucianism. Over half of the vegetarian restaurants in Taiwan are run by I-Kuan Tao followers since I-Kuan Tao advocates a vegetarian diet. I-Kuan Tao's missionary work has spread worldwide, and has been particularly successful in Southeast Asia.