Tao is the path, indeed the boulevard, by which mankind has marched to civilization, and the right track along which the Universe is traversing and evolving. It was this Tao that formed the Universe, and if the Universe is ever going to be destroyed, it is also this Tao that will destroy it. By following this Tao or Way, Heaven and Earth will be in their right positions; all matters and creatures will live and grow; the four seasons will be in their proper orders and all departments of government will function successfully. If, however, this Tao is disregarded, the result will be just the opposite. Therefore, the destinies of all things, from the biggest heavenly bodies to the smallest particles, and from the wisest sage to the most ignorant dupe, are all governed by this Tao.

    However, most mortals have often been too foolish and ignorant to understand the truth of this Tao, and in giving vent to their lusts and selfish desires they head against this Tao. They began with plotting and conspiring and ended with killing and massacre, all just for worldly power. In the midst of this medley of sins and crimes, there occasionally came a sage who, with untiring efforts and truthful to his high ideals, established tenets that would provide for the most urgent needs of the time, and by propagating them, succeeded in bringing back the world to order. This he called his Religion. These sages made their appearance whenever confusion and war prevailed. For instance, Confucius, who wrote his famous chronicle "Spring and Autumn", and Lao-tzu, who founded the Taoist Religion, made their appearances in troubled times; Buddha emerged at the time when religious contentions prevailed in India; Jesus appeared when the Roman Empire was in turmoil; and Mohammed rose to prominence when his country was invaded by her enemies. What they all said and did in their respective time, they said and did with one and only one aim, namely, that of saving and reforming their people. That this was so, is because the Tao is but the truth, and the truth, irrespective of time, place, race or language, is the same all over the world.

    Now that the world is again in chaos, that men and women give vent to their lusts and selfish desires, and that there seems no end of this sinful torrent, it is once again a time when sages propagate their religions and theologians strive to save our times. But, alas, bigotry gets the better of open-mindedness and apostles of the various creeds and religions forget that their fundamental mission is to save and reform the world with the result that they attack one another in a desperate struggle to gain supremacy for their own creeds and religions. Could there be anything more lamentable than that?

    Prompted by my resolution to remedy this deplorable situation, I set to work to assemble the best tenets from the various religions and crystallized them into a creed - a rule of conduct which I called "Doctrine of the Twenty Characters" which are as follows:

    ZHONG (Loyalty), SHU (Altruism), LIAN (Integrity), MING (Straightforwardness), DER (Magnanimity), ZHENG (Uprightness), YI (Righteousness), XIN (Trustworthiness), YEN (Forbearance), GONG (Impartiality), BO (Universal Brotherhood), XIAO (Filial Piety), REN (Benevolence), CI (Mercifulness), JUE (Comprehension), JIE (Temperance), JIAN (Frugality), ZHEN (Genuineness), LI (Propriety), HER (Harmony).

    I have decided to put this Doctrine of ours into execution with my followers, hoping to convert bigotry into cooperation and to turn contentions and attacks against one another into saving others. Then, there will be no sufferings and no sins in this world, and a paradise on earth and universal happiness will be in store for every one of us. What can I wish more?

    True followers of the Doctrine will receive the following ten benefits:

1. They will be protected by Buddha and be free from all harm and danger.
2. They will be pardoned for their sins and crimes.
3. They will have no fear of being avenged.
4. They will be kept away from the molestation of bad spirits, devils, poisonous snakes and ravenous beasts.
5. They will always enjoy peace and tranquillity and will never suffer from fear, sorrow or distress.
6. They will enjoy the harmony of a loving family with their children and grandchildren, abound in prosperity and unlimited blessings.
7. They will be admired and revered by the public.
8. If they are ignorant, they will become wise; if they are in danger, they will be rescued and put in safety.
9. They will gain blessings not only for themselves but also for their relatives, friends and neighbors.
10. They will be rewarded with Nirvana (a Buddhistic paradise) after their death and earn extinction of their individuality and absorption thereof into the Supreme Spirit of Buddha.

    In view of the fact that the Doctrine gives so many benefits to those who follow it to the letter, it is advisable that the Twenty Characters be recited during the following occasions:

1. Asking for longevity.
2. Praying for more blessings.
3. Praying to be kept away from harm and danger.
4. Doing penance.
5. Saving lost souls.

    Those who find actual beneficial effects after doing the recitation are requested to report to the Association which will record the miracle in the Book of Proofs.