Church of Virtue 德教會 Déjiàohuì | |
Imagewidth: | 100px |
Other Names: | Moral Uplifting Society |
Main Classification: | Taoist-inspired folk religious sect |
Founded Date: | 1945 |
Founded Place: | Chaozhou, Guangdong |
Website: | http://www.dedjaonism.org |
The De teaching (Chinese: 德教 Dejiao, "teaching of virtue", the concept of De), whose corporate name is the Church of Virtue (德教會 Déjiàohuì), is a sect rooted in Taoism, that was founded in 1945 in Chaozhou, Guangdong. It is popular both in China and amongst expatriate Chinese populations.[1]
Originally a reaction of Chaozhou shamans to the Japanese occupation of Chaozhou, it blossomed in the wave of religious innovation after the Second World War.[2] After the communist takeover in Mainland China in 1949 the De faith spread to Overseas Chinese communities in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.[2] In recent decades, it has spread back to China and started a worldwide expansion effort.[2]