Preface
Tian Zhen Garden was founded by Master Xing Qi-lin and Madam Cui Ai-ling in 2000, in the town of Chengguan, Tianjin. This educational and cultural institution is dedicated to the manifestation, propagation and education of traditional Chinese Taiji culture.
In 2013, Master Xing published a manifesto outlining his vision to use Tian Zhen Yuan as a base to pioneer the realization of the “Tian Zhen Garden of Cultural Heritage Tablets”.
The wisdom of sages is conducive to elevating human morality and spirituality throughout the history of mankind. The mission of this project is to preserve and propagate the pinnacle of world cultures and the teachings of virtuous ancestors through engraving tablets and establishing a platform for education. With Tai Chi philosophy as its core value, the “Tian Zhen Garden of Cultural Heritage Tablets” will be constructed using different representations; blending eastern and western culture together with original architectural designs. By engraving the information onto durable tablets, the invaluable heritage of humanity could be passed down to future generations.
In the spirit of the preservation of humanities, everyone is invited to participate in this galvanizing movement to restore and preserve humanity’s rich culture and deep history. Patrons from different regions of the world, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea, have supported this venture and donated their efforts to the cause, and we welcome continuing support from all like- minded friends and patrons who share the vision of this significantly monumental project.
Phase One construction
“Tian Zhen Garden of Cultural Heritage Tablets” will be realized through a combination of 4 elements:
The Long Corridor of World Cultures
Tablets of Essence of the Wonder Gates of Taiji
The Underground Library
Lamps of Mind
The following major landmark sites are identified in the master schematic plan:
1. Wall of Nine Dragons and Nine Phoenixes - 九龍九鳳壁
2. House of Solaris - 正陽樓
3. House of Fulfilled Wish (Gate of Luminous Virtue) - 如意樓（明德門）
4. House of Lunar Light -光月樓
5. Crane cries in the Nine Heavens- 鶴鳴九霄
6. Quadripod of the Golden Toad - 金蟾爐
7. Divine Pagoda of Nine Dragons - 九龍神亭
8. Ascendance of Earthly Dragon - 地龍騰雲
9. Taiji Terrace (Ground Level) - 地上太極圖
10.Underground Taiji Terrace (Library) - 地下太極圖（地下圖書館）
11.Statute of Mystic Goddess from the Ninth Heaven - 九天玄女像
12. Gate of Recompensed Kindness - 報恩門
13. Conservatory of Lush Motherhood - 茂萱園
14. Pavilion of Heavenly Way - 天道館
15. Gate of Centrist Harmony - 中和門
16. Altar of Dragon and Tiger - 龍虎壇
17. Monument of the Grand Master - 祖師碑
18. Lotus Pond - 荷花池
19. Pagoda of Paternal Love and Filial Piety - 慈孝塔
20. Juxtaposed Immortal and Wise Monkey - 仙猿慧
21. Terrace of Original Truth - 元真台
22. Pavilion of Heavenly Sound - 天音閣
23. Hall of Morality - 道德堂
24. Gate of Accomplished Measures - 成量門
25. Mural of the Pilgrimage of Myriad Saints - 萬聖朝元圖
26. Ark of Light Breeze - 清風舫
27. Ark of Bright Moon - 明月舫
28. Cornerstone of Heavenly Truth - 天真基石
29. Drums of Genesis (Creation of the Universe, Solar and Lunar Brilliance, Heaven and Human United) - 開天闢地、日月光明、天人合一鼓
30. (East Wall) Monument of Azure Dragon - （東牆）青龍碑
31.(South Wall) Monument of Vermillion Avian -（南牆）朱雀碑
32.(West Wall) Monument of White Tiger -（西牆）白虎碑
33.(North Wall) Monument of Black Turtle – (北牆）玄武碑
34. (Median) Monument of Golden Phoenix -（中間）金鳳碑
35. Essence of the Wonder Gates of Taiji - 太極奇門精
36.Lamps of Mind - 心燈
Introduction of the “Tian Zhen Garden of Cultural Heritage Tablets”
1. The Long Corridor of Cultures – Murals Engraved on Han White Jade
The Long Corridor of Cultures is built along the walls of Tian Zhen Garden, laid out in accordance with the precepts of the different directions (see items 30 – 34 in Section II). The Corridor is approximately 1,500 meters in length, accommodating about 6,000 tablets.
In particular, the South Wall has been completed with murals graphically depicting the history of traditional Chinese culture development, from the creation of the universe to contemporary civilization, whereby observers can feel the greatness of the ancient sages and the essence of their wisdom.
Each Han white jade mural is 1.97m in length, 0.63m in width.
2. The Tai Chi Underground Library
Material - bakelite, epoxy board and other durable materials
We plan to start, in 2017, the construction of the Underground Library, which will be 3.6m deep, and 36m in diameter, to accommodate over 20,000 A4 sized (210mm x 295mm) tablets with double-sided engraved texts, and over 3,000 tablets of various sizes with engraved diagrams and illustrations. This is intended to preserve, in the long term, the best of eastern and western cultures, and to serve as a platform for cultural studies, research and exchanges.
3. Lamps of Mind (along the Median Vein)
Material – Stone
The Tian Zhen Garden architectural layout is designed with the Tai Chi Symbol as its core, morality as roots, manifested in the Trigram of heaven, earth and human, evolving into the convergence of heaven and human.
o The Southern side depicts the human head (Yang),
o The Northern side depicts the human body (Yin), with
§ The Eastern side depicting Governor Vessel Meridian - “Du Vein 督脈”
§ The Western side depicting Conception Vessel Meridian - “Ren Vein任脈”
§ The Central Path depicting Central Nervure - “Median Vein 中脈”
The Median Vein represents the root of life, and the path of illumination of the Huangji 皇極元光.
There will be 108 “Lamps of Mind” installed along the Median Vein, which will be connected to the Mind of the Heavens, individually and collectively. The lighting of the Lamp of Mind shall bring
health in body and spirit, with wisdom manifested
righteous mind and accomplished self, with prosperity in the family
shedding of light in hell, and to cause its annihilation
growth in bliss and wisdom, leading the path to the heavens.
A true mind will bring steady progress with righteousness;
A righteous mind will bring steady progress with truth.
Call for Sponsorship
Tian Zhen Yuan (Garden) has undergone tremendous hardship in its last 15 years of development, sustained only by the vision, conviction and perseverance of its founders. In recent years, it has received generous support from a large number of sponsors (for which it is most grateful), and applied them to make steady progress in the Tianzhen International College.
The construction of the “Tian Zhen Garden of Cultural Heritage Tablets” will be a massive undertaking with massive meaning, destined to become a revered cultural center, a rich legacy in history, a wealth of collection of wisdom, and a pioneer in the preservation of the best of human culture in the coming millennia.
This can be accomplished only by garnering the support of and contributions from all people who can identify with this auspicious mission, to collectively realize this historic project, step by step.
We hope to seek sponsorship for the following items in the First Phase of this project:
a. The Long Corridor of Cultures – Murals Engraved on Han White Jade
l 150 pieces available, each at HK$25,000 or RMB21,000
b. Tablets of the Underground Library
l 1,000 pieces available, each at HK$2,000 or RMB1,700
c. Lamps of Mind
81 sets available, each at HK$25,000 or RMB21,000 (with engraving of one donor’s name; additional names at HK$3,000 or RMB2,500 each).
