Followers of Yiguandao roll up their sleeves when it comes to helping others, seeing charity as a living extension of its threefold wisdom. Temples often double as community hubs, where volunteers organize everything from free clinics to tutoring sessions for underprivileged kids. In Taipei, for example, a Yiguandao temple has teamed up with local schools to offer weekend lessons in calligraphy and moral education—no strings attached.

When disaster strikes, these networks click into high gear. During last year’s floods in southern Taiwan, Yiguandao volunteers were distributing rice and fresh vegetables door to door, while mobile medical units offered basic check-ups in isolated villages. Masks and hand sanitizers flew off the shelves in 2020’s pandemic lockdowns; temples across Malaysia and Indonesia handed out millions of surgical masks, coupled with food baskets for families under quarantine.

Elder care forms another pillar of their outreach. Regular “silver hair gatherings” invite seniors for companionship, health screenings, and traditional tea ceremonies—simple rituals that spark smiles and keep isolation at bay. Environmental care slips into the picture too. Tree-planting drives on Earth Day and beach cleanups before summer festivals have become annual fixtures, reflecting a belief that harmony with nature mirrors inner balance.

Charitable activities often tie into cultural celebrations. During Lunar New Year, Yiguandao groups sponsor dumpling-making workshops where proceeds support local shelters. Lantern festivals turn into fundraising fairs, with homemade crafts raising money for literacy programs in rural China. A recent scholarship program kicked off this spring, granting grants to students who demonstrate both academic promise and community spirit.

By weaving these efforts into daily temple life, Yiguandao keeps the Confucian ideal of “serving others” alive, the Taoist flow of giving without fanfare, and the Buddhist practice of compassion in full bloom. The result feels less like charity on autopilot and more like neighbors looking out for one another—no fanfare required, just genuine goodwill.