Yao Hetian
Yao Hetian or Yang Mingchi is regarded as the 14th Patriarch by Yiguandao and became the first patriarch to be exclusively in their patriarchal lineage. It is from Yao Hetian that the patriarchal lineage between Xiantiandao and Yiguandao diverges.
Early life
He was born in during the Qing Dynasty and was originally from Taiyuan, Shanxi. According to the Yiguandao scriptures, he is believed to be an incarnation of Yaochi Jinmu.Religious leadership
During the Tongzhi period, religious rebellions such as the Green Lotus Sect, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and Nian Rebellion were suppressed by the Qing government. However, the conflicts in society did not subside but became more acute and complex. Due to the turbulent hearts of the people, religious sects had the opportunity to flourish. The Green Lotus sect was once again divided. The 15th Patriarch of Xiantiandao, whose name was Lin Yimi / Li Zhuguan established the Western Hall of Heaven as a shelter for the members of the Green Lotus sect.In 1873, Yao Hetian was appointed as the superintendent of the Western Heaven Hall. Yao Hetian became one of the preachers there, and later claimed that he had been given the Mandate of Heaven and founded a new sect. After Yao Hetian took over the leadership, he made some reforms to the teachings, such as for example the main veneration originally aimed at Yaochi Jinmu, reverted to veneration of Wusheng Laomu as it was during the Great Vehicle sect. According to the record of the Origin of Elders in Every Generation it is said that Wang Jueyi was a disciple of elder Yao of the Hall of Western Heaven.