(based on De Jiao Xin Dian)
Dejiao’s Core Purpose: Dejiao is a faith that aims to realize a “moral life” and a “moral society.” It requires Dejiao associations to organize moral communities, using both teaching and example to promote moral education while practising morality themselves.
Dejiao’s Goal: The goal of Dejiao is to promote the ideal of a harmonious world through moral education. While cultivating morality within oneself, one also promotes the cultivation of morality in others. The fulfillment of moral cultivation in both oneself and others is the ultimate state of goodness. Dejiao aims to build a paradise on earth, a pure land on earth, where all can ascend to ultimate happiness together.
Dejiao’s Significance: With a compassionate heart, one promotes the virtue of cherishing life and engages in benevolent actions towards others. This is how one can overcome personal life challenges and also alleviate the suffering of others (developing great compassion, promoting great moral teachings, alleviating all hardships, and saving all beings).
Dejiao’s View on Spiritual Ascension: During one’s life, one receives the blessing of human prosperity, living a peaceful and healthy life with a tranquil family. After giving up the body (passing away), one receives the blessing of heavenly nobility, becoming a heavenly official, a temple guardian, a deity of fortune, a purifier of temples, and so on (to increase heavenly nobility and invite auspiciousness).
Dejiao’s Practice: Dejiao can be summarized in three words: “Dao → De → Li” (Way → Virtue → Ritual). Understanding the laws of heaven and earth as the “Dao,” using the heart of the Dao to clarify “De” (Virtue). “De” serves as the standard for learning, and the practice of “Li” (Ritual) completes the cultivation of “De” (Teaching is inseparable from virtue, and virtue is inseparable from oneself. The mandate of heaven is the essence; following this essence leads to truth).
Dejiao’s Cultivation: Personal cultivation should align with societal stability (a world without deception, without harm, without disputes or disturbances, with sincere hearts and simple minds, accumulating spiritual energy, avoiding disasters and illness, living in peace and happiness, with a pure and wise mind).
Dejiao’s Doctrine: Based on the Ten Virtues: Filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, trust, propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame, benevolence, and wisdom (Teaching is inseparable from virtue, and virtue is inseparable from oneself).
Dejiao’s Precepts: The Eight Rules: No deceit, no hypocrisy, no greed, no falsehood, no arrogance, no laziness, no resentment, no malice (Xindian: Thus, in all actions, there should be no deceit, no hypocrisy, no greed, no falsehood, no arrogance, no laziness).
Dejiao’s Religious Nature: If defined by Western standards of “religion,” Dejiao does not FULLY conform to the definition. Therefore, we must return to the original meaning in Chinese culture. “Zong” refers to ancestors, clans, and the sages and kings of past dynasties. “Jiao” refers to education and enlightenment. “Religion” is the “inheritance of the civilization and wisdom of the ancestors of the Chinese nation.” Dejiao has a profound meaning, encompassing education that adheres to moral principles.
Source: Teacher Tan Kee Sang