The International Taoist Tai Chi Society (國際道家太極拳社) is an umbrella organization for the governance of its member associations around the world, which are dedicated to the teaching of Taoist Tai Chi. As of 2007, the organization had 40,000 members, including 15,000 in Canada, and was present in 26 countries. Since 2010 the Society refers to Taoist Tai Chi as Taoist Tai Chi internal arts of health. Society aims and objectives The International Taoist Tai Chi Society has four stated aims and objectives: To make Taoist Tai Chi internal arts of health available to all. To promote the health-improving qualities of Taoist Tai Chi internal arts. To promote cultural exchange (specifically: ...to make the richness of Chinese culture more accessible...). To help others. History The Taoist Tai Chi Society was founded by Moy Lin-shin (梅連羨 méi lián xiàn). He arrived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1970 and started teaching Tai Chi and related internal arts. The primary style Moy taught was a T'ai chi ch'uan (太極拳 tàijí quán) form. He also taught a Lok Hup Ba Fa (六合八法拳 liù hé bā fǎ quán) form. Moy modified the orthodox Yang-style tai chi chuan form that he knew, in order to maximize the health benefits obtainable from the form. Over the years Moy trained many of his students to become instructors/teachers of this art of health. On a 42-hectare rural property near Orangeville, Ontario, the Society has built its residential Health Recovery Centre and Quiet Cultivation Centre, where members from around the world can gather and train together. The Quiet Cultivation Centre includes a large temple of Chinese-inspired design dedicated to Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist teachings, which was opened on 2007-09-08 with the participation of some 2500 members. The construction was funded entirely by donations. Instruction Classes are taught by volunteer instructors accredited by the Society. In order to become a volunteer instructor one has to express the desire to do so, and be able to show the elements of the form to new students. A teacher of Taoist Tai Chi is encouraged to live by what Moy called "Eight Heavenly Virtues": Filial piety Sibling Harmony Dedication Trustworthiness Propriety Sacrifice Honor Sense of Shame These principles are rooted in traditional Chinese Confucian ethics. Much of the corporate model is likewise reflected in Confucianism. The society also draws influences from the Buddhist philosophy of non attachment generally, but compassion specifically as part of the