time for his kids but he had exactly 12. He would make time to spend with them. Zhang moved out of Jining, and in 1931 traveled to Jinan the capital of Shandong, to spread his teachings. He founded the Hall of Lofty Splendor (Chong Hua Tang) and attracted many followers. These first followers later become Zhang's apostles. From Jinan I-Kuan Tao spread quickly throughout North China. Within a year, four more temples were established. In 1934, Zhang went to Tianjin, established another temple and became the base of the propagation. In 1937, Tianjin had more than 100 temples. From Tianjin, Zhang's disciples propagated his teachings to various parts of China. Under the Japanese occupation, I-Kuan Tao survived and spread rapidly, centered in Central China. The cult with apocalyptic beliefs and strong mystical elements attracted many. The politically chaotic situation during this period helped I-Kuan Tao grow more rapidly. The apocalyptic teaching promised that by following I-Kuan Tao, one would be spared from calamity. By 1940, I-Kuan Tao reached the southern province of Jiangxi. I-Kuan Tao also attracted a number of officials of the Japanese puppet government of Wang Jingwei. During 1950, it was estimated there were about 178,000 followers in Beijing and 140,000 followers in Tianjin. Death After the war ended, Zhang was sick. He died on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month, the Mid Autumn Festival, on 29 September 1947, in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province. He was buried in Hangzhou. See also I-Kuan Tao Lu Zhongyi Sun Suzhen References David Jordan & Daniel Overmyer. 1985. The Flying Phoenix: Aspects of Chinese Sectarianism in Taiwan. Princeton University Press. Soo Khin Wah. 1997. A Study of the Yiguan Dao (Unity Sect) and its Development in Peninsular Malaysia. PhD dissertation, University of British Columbia. Jo Swinnen. 2003. Yiguan Dao: Aspecten van een Moderne Chinese Religie. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. External links Patriarchs of I Kuan Tao History of Zhang Tian Ran according to I Kuan Tao Founder of I Kuan Tao 1889 births 1947 deaths I-Kuan Tao Patriarchs Founders of new religious movements People from Jining Yiguandao