Grand Master Alex Anatole

At a young age, Grand Master Alex Anatole was introduced to Master Lu Yang Tai, the “Enlightened One,” a Taoist sage with genealogical lineage extending to the ancient origins of Taoism. From the age of eight, Alex was his only disciple, learning all aspects of the Great Art — philosophy, healing, martial arts, astrology, and religious procedures.

After twenty years he was ordained a Taoist priest, building several underground Taoist temples in USSR— hidden from the religious persecution of Soviet times.

Eventually his spiritual activities became known to the authorities and he fled to the United States. This was foretold by prophesy with his given Taoist name of I Yan Lung, “He who brings true Tao to the West.”

In 1976 Grand Master Alex Anatole immigrated to the United States. In 1978 he built the Center of Traditional Taoist Studies and its Temple of Original Simplicity near Boston, which is recognized as one of the few authentic Taoist temples outside China. It maintains close ties to the few surviving temples in Shanghai while Grand Master Alex Anatole continues the tradition of imparting Taoism through a classical program of philosophy, religion, meditation, and Chi Quong. Initially, he adopted a quiet approach to teaching Taoism but observed with great concern the distorted teachings of his beloved faith. Motivated by a desire to preserve ancient Taoism in its purest form, he writes and lectures throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. In 1989, the Сenter was officially recognized as a religious institution. A year later it was afforded 501(c)(3) non-profit status and was recognized as an official church.

Grand Master Alex Anatole has a PhD from MSU and his temple has been profiled in numerous studies, including Harvard’s Pluralism Project. He is the author of “The Truth of Tao”, “The Essence of Tao”, “Tao of Celestial Foxes-The Way to Immortality”, “A synopsis of Taoist Teachings for the West”.