I-Kuan Tao

I-Kuan Tao, also Yīguàn Dào, or usually initialized as IKT (一貫道, translated as "the pervasive truth" or "the consistent path") is a new religious movement that originated in twentieth-century China. It incorporates elements from Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism, and recognizes the validity of non-Chinese religious traditions such as Christianity and Islam as well. For this reason it is often classified as a syncretistic sect, along with other similar religions in the Way of Former Heaven (Xian Tian Dao) family.

Originating from mainland China, I-Kuan Tao flourished in Taiwan starting in the 1970s. Currently, it is the third most popular faith in Taiwan (after Buddhism and Taoism). It claims approximately two million members, and in overseas Chinese communities around the world. A survey in 2002 showed that there were 845,000 followers with over 3,100 temples. In the People's Republic of China, I-Kuan Tao and the other four Way of Former Heaven religious groups remain banned as illegal secret societies, as was the case in Taiwan until 1987.

The World I-Kuan Tao Headquarters was established in 1996, and is situated in the United States.

Read more about I-Kuan Tao:  Nomenclature, History, Practices, Initiation, Structure and Schisms