Association Activities

On September 5, 2026, the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America held its first anniversary celebration and Taoist cultural exchange event at Pier 57 in New York City. Guests and friends from the New York State government, religious non-governmental organizations at the United Nations, interfaith institutions, and diverse religious communities gathered to mark the occasion. Through presentations on Taoist culture, displays of religious objects, and hands-on cultural activities, the event promoted awareness of Taoism in the United States and encouraged dialogue across faiths and cultures.

The anniversary received attention and congratulations at the federal, state, and city levels. U.S. President Donald J. Trump had sent a congratulatory card extending his greetings to the Association and its first anniversary celebration.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul designated Caura Richardson, Director of the Office of Faith & Nonprofit Development Services at the New York State Department of State, to attend on her behalf. During the event, Richardson read aloud the Governor's congratulatory letter marking the Association's first anniversary and formally presented it to the Association.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also sent an official congratulatory letter for the Association's first anniversary. The letter recognized its work in community engagement, cultural education, the sharing of Taoist traditions, and the promotion of mutual understanding among different faith communities, and extended congratulations on behalf of New York City.

With these messages, the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America became the first Taoist organization to receive congratulations and recognition at all three levels: the U.S. federal government, New York State, and New York City. These greetings also reflected growing attention across American society to the sharing of Taoist culture, religious diversity, and interfaith exchange.

Other distinguished guests included Guruji Dileepkumar Thankappan, Co-Chair of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations (CRNGO) and President of the World Yoga Community; Henry Goldschmidt, Program Director of the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY); and Rev. Doyeon Park, Head Minister of Won Buddhism. Several guests offered remarks congratulating the Association on its first anniversary and expressing support for religious dialogue, community cooperation, and greater understanding and collaboration among people of different faiths.

In his remarks, Ji Faxin, President of the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America, reflected on the Association's development over the past year. He explained that the Association was founded to create a platform through which more people could discover, understand, and connect with Taoism, helping this indigenous Chinese religious tradition, with its millennia-long heritage, continue to be passed on and develop in contemporary society.

Over the past year, the Association has worked from its base in New York to organize Taoist religious and cultural activities, serve practitioners, and share Taoist culture. It has also participated actively in community, government, interfaith, United Nations, and other international forums, building exchanges and partnerships with institutions and individuals from diverse cultural and religious traditions and bringing Taoist perspectives to a growing range of public and international platforms.

The event featured displays of Taoist ritual vestments, ritual implements, and other religious objects, alongside presentations on Taoist culture, Taoist wellness activities, traditional sachet-making, and shared prayers. Through demonstrations, explanations, and hands-on participation, guests gained a more direct understanding of Taoist beliefs, cultural traditions, and religious practices.

The Association described its first anniversary as both a reflection on the past year's development and a new beginning. Looking ahead, it will continue its work from New York to preserve and pass on Taoist religious traditions, share Taoist culture, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with government bodies, international organizations, religious communities, interfaith institutions, and the wider public. Through these efforts, it aims to help more people discover and understand Taoism and to further its exchange and development in the United States and the international community.

President Ji Faxin of the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America, as the first and only Taoist representative ever invited, attended the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 and delivered a speech. This marked the first time Taoist thought has been directly expressed on this international youth governance platform, formally bringing traditional Taoist ideals into the United Nations' discussions on sustainable development and global affairs.

On April 17, 2026, President Ji Faxin of the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America, a Taoist faith leader of New York State, was invited to attend the 'First International Wellness Day,' jointly hosted by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN and the Consulate General of Nepal in New York, and co-organized with the World Health Organization, held at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York.

On February 28, 2026, President Ji Faxin led a delegation from the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America to attend the closing ceremony of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week held in New York. As the first and only Taoist representative organization invited to participate in this platform, the Association voiced Taoist perspectives on the international interfaith stage, showcasing the wisdom and spiritual essence of Chinese traditional culture. The event gathered diplomatic representatives from multiple countries, including Venezuelan diplomats, New York State legislators, the head of NYPD's 105th Precinct, and officials from UN-affiliated bodies and the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations (CCUN). Representatives and leaders from multiple international interfaith organizations also attended to participate in dialogue and exchange. Guided by the core Taoist principles of 'following the way of nature' and 'harmony in diversity,' the Association actively participates in international interfaith cooperation and civilizational dialogue, promoting mutual understanding and trust between different faiths, and advancing the spread and recognition of Taoist culture in the international community.

On February 1, 2026, the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America hosted a Chinese New Year 'Nianhua Print Exchange' cultural event in Flushing, New York, as the first Taoist activity during World Interfaith Harmony Week. Using traditional New Year prints as a medium, the event introduced Taoist cultural concepts of harmony between heaven and humanity, blessings, and following the natural order. Through on-site explanations and cultural exchanges, the event showcased the Taoist ideals of peace, celebration, and harmony. The event attracted participants from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, enabling more people to learn about Taoist traditions and experience the cultural charm and spiritual values of Chinese New Year through cross-cultural exchange.

On September 21, 2025, the Yangzhu Taoist Association of America held its grand founding ceremony at the Anqiao Hotel in Flushing, New York. After a year of preparation and community activities, the Association was officially established, aiming to promote Taoist culture, serve community spiritual well-being, foster inter-religious and cross-cultural exchanges, and contribute to social welfare causes. The ceremony included an introduction of the Association, guest speeches, Taoist knowledge and cultural sharing, and a presentation of future development directions.

On International Taoism Day, we held a Tao Te Ching recitation competition, attracting Taoist enthusiasts from various countries to participate.

During the Dragon Boat Festival in 2025, we held a free distribution event of 'Celestial Master Riding the Mugwort Tiger' prints.

Organized group visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, deepening our understanding of Asian spiritual art and Taoist influences in historical artifacts.