Grand Lodge of China
Freemason
Travel back in time through the history of Grand Lodge of China: from Chin Dynasty era to Taiwan in 1949.
我們懷著無比哀痛的心情，沉痛悼念本會前總會長
曹國賢尊兄，於民國114年7月25日安詳辭世，歸返天國會堂。
曹尊兄為人謙和、睿智，以其堅定的信念與無私的奉獻精神，深受全體兄弟敬仰。他於任內積極推動美生教育、增進兄弟情誼、促進國際交流，為本會留下無可取代的寶貴遺產。
我們向曹尊兄的家人、親友與所有哀悼的兄弟，致上最誠摯的慰問。願我們共同懷念這位照亮中國美生的明燈，並以實際行動延續他的精神。
祈願曹尊兄在天上安息，永享和平與光明。
中國美生總會暨全體兄弟敬悼
With deepest sorrow, we mourn the passing of MW Bro. Goshen Tsao, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of China, who peacefully laid down his working tools on July 25, 2025, and has now been called to the Grand Lodge Above.
MW Bro. Tsao was a man of wisdom, humility, and unwavering Masonic principles. His leadership was marked by dedication to Masonic education, fraternal harmony, and global brotherhood. His legacy continues to inspire all who had the honor of walking beside him.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved family, friends, and brethren around the world. May we remember and honor the light he brought to our Craft.
May he rest in eternal peace in the Grand Lodge Above.
The Grand Lodge of China and all its Brethren respectfully mourn the passing of MW Bro. Goshen Tsao
總會長 Arthur 尊兄 哀悼詞
Most Worshipful Brother Goshen Tsao was the only brother to have served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of China for seven terms. He was a pillar of strength and wisdom in our fraternity.
For many years, he led the Tsao Chung-Chih Foundation, continuing the legacy of his father by donating nearly 700,000 wheelchairs worldwide—bringing mobility to the disabled and enabling underprivileged students to pursue their education.
While attending the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, he deliberately chose not to wear the Past Grand Master’s cuffs. When invited to take a photo with the former President, he humbly stepped aside. Even at over 80 years of age, he offered to carry a gift for me—a simple yet profound gesture that reflected his unwavering support for the reigning Grand Master and exemplified the often-forgotten virtue of humility.
Once, he asked me, “What do you think Freemasonry is?”
I replied, “It is an educational institution—where we cultivate our character and refine our virtues.”
I asked him the same question in return.
He answered, “Freemasonry is a temple of cultivation and self-perfection.”
In his profound understanding and living embodiment of Masonic philosophy, I could only look up to him in deep admiration.
It remains a deep regret of mine that I never had the chance to thank him in person for his years of mentorship and guidance.
Rest in peace, my beloved Brother.
I believe you now walk toward the Celestial Lodge, guided by the inner light of your true nature.
As for me, I shall continue steadfastly along the path you have illuminated.
曹國賢尊兄，是唯一一位曾七度擔任中國美生總會總會長的兄弟，是本總會重要的支柱之一。
他多年主持曹仲植基金會，秉承先父遺志，在全球捐贈近七十萬台輪椅，造福無數殘障人士，也幫助無數清寒學子完成學業。
在參加菲律賓總會年會時，他刻意未穿戴前總會長袖套，與前任總統合影時，更謙遜地避而不入鏡；年逾八十的他，還主動說要幫我提禮物，全心全意協助現任總會長，其舉止無不體現出那往往被忽略的美德——「謙遜」。
有一次他問我：「你認為美生會是什麼？」
我回答：「美生會是一個教育機構，讓我們得以修身養性，砥礪德行。」
我反問他：「那您認為呢？」
他說：「美生會是一個修行與自我完善的道場。」
在對美生精神的體悟與實踐上，我與他的差距，確實無法同日而語。
對於他多年來的提攜與教誨，未能當面道謝，實為人生一大憾事。
安息吧，我的兄弟。
我相信你將在自性光明中走向天上的會廬，而我也會循著你所指引的方向，堅定前行。
前總會長 Dennis 尊兄哀悼詞
The passing of Most Worshipful Bro. Goshen Tsao came as really shocking and saddening news!
MW Bro. Goshen served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of China for four consecutive terms from 1999 to 2003.
I joined the Craft in early 1999 and have been inculcated by his noble character and conduct over those four years, which laid the foundation for the moral values I uphold as a Mason.
Even after stepping down as Grand Master, MW Bro. Goshen had kept the Grand Lodge in his heart. He remained active in various grand lodge affairs and had donated generously to various renovation projects of our Masonic Temple. During challenging times of our craft, he responded to the call of the brethren and returned to serve as Grand Master for another three terms in 2005, 2019 and 2020.
MW Bro. Goshen was passionately devoted to community service. He supported to build schools in remote areas and donated wheelchairs to benefit people with disabilities from time to time. His selfless devotion to Freemasonry and the community were unparalleled and truly admirable.
The sudden passing of MW Bro. Goshen Tsao is a tremendous loss, to the Grand Lodge of China as a pillar has fallen, to the world as there is one less good man to bring blessings to others. MW Bro. Goshen will live on in the hearts of all brethren, and in the hearts of those whose lives were ever touched by his kindness.
驟聞國賢尊兄辭世的消息， 心中無限 震驚哀慟 !
國賢尊兄自 1999到 2003年連任四屆 中國美生 總會長；我於 1999年初加入 美生 ，四年間景仰前輩風範，奠定了美生品德的根基。
曹尊兄心繫中國美生，在卸任後仍積極參與美生事務，對會堂的各項整修工程皆慷慨贊助； 在 2005、 2019、 2020年 間 總會 艱困 動盪 時也回應兄弟們的期待， 回鍋再接任三屆總會長；
曹尊兄熱心公益，在偏鄉捐款協助興學，也 經常 捐贈輪椅，嘉惠身障團體。他對美生及社區的無私奉獻，無人能及，令人感佩 !
國賢尊兄驟然殞落，中國美生痛失支柱，人間少了一位行善造福的
長者 ；國賢尊兄會活在每位兄弟的心裡，會活在所有曾經受他幫助過的人的心裡！
悼念國賢尊兄
月有陰晴圓缺，人有悲歡離合，世事無常，此事古難全，花開花謝，人生在世總有分別日，唯吾兄慈德兼備樂於施善助人的精神永存於心，嗚呼哀哉！但願吾兄一路好走榮登極樂世界，阿彌陀佛！
令兄弟尊敬的和善長者－曹老（國賢前總會長）
初識曹老，是在年會中間的午餐，他和誼廬的兄弟同桌共餐，只見一位長者與年輕兄弟輕聲細語閒話家常，那時我才知原來他就是「令人尊敬的曹前總會長」。
後來參與總會及慈壇社的工作，與曹老有了接觸每次與他討論事情他都語帶幽默但又非常堅定，幾次溝通下來讓我對他的淵博及廣間都有更深一步的認知。
當我聯籍誼廬時，他見到我只說一句有你真好，兄弟之情不可言表，「令人尊敬的曹前總會長」。
那天早上突聞惡訓，實在不敢相信「令人尊敬的曹前總會長」已然辭世，在詢問誼廬司書告知經其公子確認此惡訊，唉 哲人已逝 風古長存，「令人尊敬的曹前總會長」。
哲人日已遠，典型在夙昔
乍聞前總會長曹國賢尊兄仙逝，心中悲切萬分！想想我們在美生一路以來，見證曹前總會長對中國美生總會、漢廬、慈壇社、兒燙基金會等等的關心與支持，對於新進兄弟的不吝提攜，心中的不捨，久久難以平復。
相信曹前總會長必然將常駐佛國極樂，漢廬會永遠懷念您！
我們也會常伴雲傑左右，繼續實踐您的宏大福志。
曹前總會長，一路好走！
驚悉曹尊兄於今日凌晨因病離世，內心萬分震驚與悲慟。
回想很久很久以前，當時的我還只是美生組織裡一位懵懂的菜鳥，對曹尊兄這位德高望重的前輩，僅止於耳聞敬仰。
某次國外出差，與曹尊兄在飛機上巧遇，沒想到抵達目的地下機時，曹尊兄竟特地在機門口等我，並一路陪伴我入境，照顧之周到，讓我倍感溫暖，那一刻，長幼之情、兄弟之義，銘刻於我心，至今難忘。
曹尊兄的離去，是我們的莫大損失，但我相信，尊兄必將乘願再來，福慧雙修，蓮品上生。願以此深深的思念與敬意，祈願曹尊兄
離苦得樂，乘願西歸，蓮登淨土。
南無阿彌陀佛
敬祈曹國賢尊兄，美生德風長在，慈善胸懷常存，安息淨土自在。
Sincerely pray that MW. Brother Goshen Tsao, the Masonic virtues will always remain, his charitable heart will always be there, and he will rest in peace in the Pure Land.
連日陰雨綿綿，彷彿蒼天也為 曹國賢尊兄的辭世而垂淚哀悼。
我們一眾兄弟更深感悲慟，痛失一位德高望重的長者與踐行美德的楷模。
國賢尊兄為人所共知，是一位慈善家，但在我們心中，他更是一位將美生德行化為日常實踐的典範。
他以
節制（Temperance）為修身之本，自律持重，不為浮華所動；
以堅忍（Fortitude）為處世之道，奮力不懈，守護兄弟間的情誼；
以審慎（Prudence）為行事準則，洞察大局，引領美生會穩步前行；
以正義（Justice）為立身之本，待人公平無私，關愛後輩有加。
四大美生美德，他無不身體力行，落實於生活點滴之中。
尊兄的一舉一動，令人肅然起敬；他的一言一語，令人倍感溫暖。
他如一面明鏡，將自身修為如光一般映照於每一位美生兄弟心中，啟迪他人、潤物無聲。
雖然尊兄已辭世而去，但他所傳承的精神與美德，將如長明之光，永照美生會前路，亦永存於每位兄弟的心中。
敬愛的曹尊兄，您是我們中國美生總會中永恆的陽光，指引著兄弟們前進。您無私的付出，溫暖了兄弟們的心靈，伴美生會一路成長。永遠忘不了您親自為兄弟的服務每一件事、教導兄弟們的溫馨時刻。感謝曹尊兄為我們創建幸福的美生會。縱使您離開了兄弟們不在身邊了，對您的念想，依然深藏在我們心底。我們會努力將您的精神和愛傳承下去，用心照顧美生會兄弟們和他家人，希望曹尊兄您在西方極樂世界享福，不再受苦。兄弟們永遠愛您。
