Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers
Universal Tao

Please, email your questions to: ip@universal-tao.com

May 23, 2002
Student's Question
I need your help as soon as possible. I'm a fan of Master Chia's work and teachings, but now I've got a big confusion. You see, like one week ago I started a discussion about Taoist practice and religion with a few religious taoists by the internet. In this board I put my opinion about the different kind of taoist paths that we can see today. I also mentioned the name of Master Mantak Chia, and then an incredible thing happened. A taoist priest, of the Dragon Gate sect I think, said to me that M. Chia is a "money hungry" and a "disrespectful guy". He told me that Master Chia was teaching dangerous exercises for people who is not ready yet to perform it and don't have the right direction of a true master. Now, I've got this tremendous doubt about the danger that we can take practicing the inner alchemy without a correct supervision. Please, I'm asking you for advice to be sure of what I'm doing. Also, the tao-shih and some other people warn me about Master Chia, because, as they think, he has a big attachment to wealth. With all due respect for Master Chia (I'm grateful for his work) and his students, I felt a little worry about this thing of the money when I saw the prices of the Darkness Retreat. They are a little prohibitive for many people, and I'm included in that group. I believe that this money is necessary to support the Tao Garden, but I want to know this from your words and opinion, to finally forget this matter that it is worrying me. Please don't take this message in bad sense. I'm just a guy that is trying to have a small understanding of Taoism. I'm asking you for your advice and orientation because I'm confused right now. In that discussion board (I don't think that it's necessary to be more explicit on it) people said that to be a true taoist you need to have a "Lu" transmission by some traditional lineage. I answered back that Taoism was more than only a few religious sects, and that we have the example of thousands hermits and sages who are true taoists and doesn't need to belong to some particular school to have his profound wisdom, as in the case of the master "White Cloud". But they said: "You have just an occidental romanticist point of view on Taoism". Is that true? Is Master Mantak Chia or maybe his Master White Cloud part of some taoist school like Wu Liu sect or another? If not, is there another kind of Taoism of the mountain hermits that is free from religious stuff? And most important of all: What do Master Chia and you think about the Tao Chiao? (Religious Taoism). I hope not to disturb you with my doubts. And please I repeat, don't take it in bad sense. Sincerely I just want to be clear in this point.
Thank you very much in advance for your time and patience.

Mantak Chia's Answer
The richest organizations in the world are religious groups. These appear not to ask for money. In this world money is a necessity. My master did not belong to any sect. He spent 30 years with all the religious sects and did not learn the true thing that he wanted. So he went to mountains to find the hermit. I just do what I know and share what I know with an open heart. People come to me. I never criticize other peoples' practices. All the problems I have with the Taoist Religious Sect is I make fame and money. They don't make it and it appears that they don't want money, but deep in their hearts they are very hungry for money and fame. This is a free world; you can choose what you want and practice what make sense to you.

I just share what I know and I have the most people practicing this in the world for Taoist Practice and we have no danger.

Student's Response
"Thank you so much dear Master Chia! I'm completely happy and satisfy with your sincere answer and advice. It make me be sure of what I'm doing and practicing. Thank you a lot for your time and understanding!!!"