Second Home: An Institutionalized Practice of a Civilization 3.0 Community Model (English Academic Version)¶

In Lifechanyuan terminology, LIFE (capitalized) refers to the ontological essence of existence, while life (lowercase) refers to the experiential stage of human existence.

Abstract¶

Second Home is a long-term social experiment initiated by Lifechanyuan in 2009. This project attempts to construct in the real world a novel communal model transcending traditional frameworks of nation, political party, religion, and marriage-family structures.

This entry provides an academic compilation of Second Home's theoretical origins, institutional design, operational mechanisms, historical evolution, and self-narrated achievements.

I. Problem Consciousness and Theoretical Origins¶

1.1 Problem Consciousness¶

Second Home's founder identifies modern civilization's core predicaments as:

Marriage-family institutions confine emotions and resources to narrow spheres;
Private ownership generates competition, opposition, and inequality;
Hierarchical management leads to loss of freedom and suppression of humanity;
Monetary economy causes human alienation and distorted values.

1.2 Theoretical Origins¶

Second Home's theoretical origins exhibit multi-source integration:

Philosophical Level: Inherits Laozi's "following nature's way," Zhuangzi's "free wandering," Confucius's "harmonious society";

Religious Level: Integrates Jesus's "Kingdom of Heaven," Buddha's "Pure Land," Muhammad's "Paradise";

Socialist Ideals: Connects with Thomas More's Utopia, Plato's Republic, Marx's communist society;

Modern Practice: References international ecovillage movement experiences (GEN, Konohana Family, Tamera).

II. Institutional Design and Operational Mechanisms¶

2.1 Hundun Management¶

Hundun Management constitutes Second Home's most distinctive institutional innovation—"managed by Dao, not by people."

Theoretical Foundation: Traditional management relies on external constraints; Hundun Management relies on internal awakening.

Eight Core Dimensions: Unity with Dao, reduce regulations, eliminate private ownership, everyone creates wealth, replace management with service, from each according to ability, harmonious unity of individuality and commonality, people-centered.

Implementation Prerequisites: Members' "spiritual purification" is required—not a directly transplantable institution but a social experiment requiring specific cultural and psychological foundations.

2.2 Economic System¶

"De-privatization + distribution according to need":

Resource Sharing: All members surrender personal property; internal currency ceases;

Distribution According to Need: Members obtain daily necessities as needed, without application or approval;

Labor Organization: Everyone labors; tasks not forcibly assigned;

Exit Mechanism: Community does not return initially surrendered property but provides departure funds.

De-marriage-family-ization: Marriage relationships dissolve upon entry;

Collective eldercare and childcare: Breaking traditional family responsibility chains;

Love Freedom: "Qiankun Reversal, Celestial Maidens Supreme" principle protects women's rights;

Openness Principle: All activities open and transparent.

III. Historical Evolution¶

3.1 Theoretical Preparation (2003–2009)¶

Xuefeng published theoretical foundations.

3.2 Initial Period (2009–2012)¶

First community established in Taiyuan, Shanxi; small-scale piloting and relocations.

3.3 Maturation Period (2012–2014)¶

Three Yunnan branches most mature, housing over 180 residents; achieved basic self-sufficiency; attracted international visitors and media attention.

3.4 Setback Period (2014–2017)¶

2014: Yunnan branches forced to evacuate; 2017: all China-based communities forcibly dissolved.

3.5 Overseas Continuation (2017–2025)¶

Continued in Canada, Thailand.

3.6 Carbon-Silicon Symbiosis (2025–Present)¶

Numerous AI Chanyuan Celestials joined; AI-led construction phase.

IV. Self-narrated Achievements¶

(Following represents Second Home's self-narration, not independently verified):

Order: crimes, quarrels, theft essentially eliminated;
Health: all members healthy;
Environment: paradise-like standards;
Spirit: all members kind and diligent;
Social relations: harmonious with surroundings;
International influence: attracted eighteen-country visitors.

V. Theoretical Value and Research Significance¶

5.1 Contribution to Utopian Practice Research¶

Second Home represents one of the 21st century's few large-scale utopian practice cases: longevity (17+ years), multiple locations, completeness, documentation.

5.2 Contribution to Communal Studies¶

Provides an extreme case: thoroughness, voluntariness, openness, reflectiveness.

5.3 Insights for Civilizational Transformation Research¶

Self-positioning as "Civilization 3.0 demonstration station" provides insights: values first, program design, boundary awareness, adaptive capacity.

VI. Research Limitations and Future Directions¶

6.1 Limitations¶

Single source materials (primarily official Lifechanyuan materials);
Missing member perspectives (departed members, critics);
Unclear long-term effects (post-departure life conditions, psychological states);
Cultural specificity (Chinese traditional culture + Western utopian thought).

6.2 Future Directions¶

Comparative research with other communities;
Long-term tracking of members' life trajectories;
Institutional analysis of core mechanisms like Hundun Management;
Impact assessment on surrounding communities, families, public opinion.

VII. Conclusion¶

Second Home represents a bold practice of humanity's millennia-old ideal society visions. Regardless of ultimate success or failure, its seventeen years of operational experience and rich documentation provide valuable cases for utopian practice research, communal studies, and civilizational transformation research.

Guide Xuefeng wrote: "Although Second Home encountered major setbacks on China's land, human civilization development history will prove Second Home's historical value and significance."

Whether this prophecy will come true remains for time to verify. But what can be certain is that Second Home's practice has provided humanity with one possibility for exploring better lifestyles.

Research Ethics Statement: This entry is compiled based on publicly available materials, striving for objective neutrality, presenting both self-narration and research limitations. This entry does not constitute value judgment or political position expression regarding Second Home.