Falun Gong

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Li Hongzhi giving a lecture in Chicago, 2005.

Falun Gong (Chinese: 法轮功) (meaning "Practice of the Wheel of Law"), also known as Falun Dafa (Chinese: 法轮大法: "Great Law of the Wheel of Law"), is a religious system of qigong meditation introduced by Li Hongzhi in China in 1992. Since it's emergence in the early 1990s, Falun Gong has grown rapidly to become one of the most popular forms of religious practice and meditation in modern China; however, the movement was declared illegal by the People's Republic of China in 1999 and it's materials and activities banned. Thus, Falun Gong is sometimes seen today as a subversive and controversial ideology, depending on one's point of view. As a contemporary religious movement, Falun Gong is an intriguing case study because a major driving force for its proliferation has been the Internet. Like the Unification Church, Falun Gong illustrates the growing appeal of new religious movements in Asia in the twenty-first century.

Origins

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One of the slow-moving hand gestures of Falun Dafa's fifth exercise.

Falun Gong was introduced to the public by Li Hongzhi, a former soldier in the Chinese? People's Liberation Army of China?, on 13 May 1992, at the Fifth Middle School, Changchun, China. Amost immediately the alleged thurapeudic practices of Falun Gong were met with acclaim and Falun Gong was nominated twice as the "Star Qigong School" in the 1992 and 1993 Asian Health Expo in Beijing. According to the QiJournal, it was not until 1953, when Liu Guizheng published a paper entitled "Practice On Qigong Therapy", that the term qigong (ch'i kung) was adopted as the popular name for this type of exercise system. Li Hongzhi states that the term "qigong" is of recent origin; originally, such disciplines had names like "The Dhyana of Vajra", "Ninefold Immortality Elixir method", "Dafa of Cultivating Dao", "Dafa of Cultivating Buddha", et cetera, and that the lowest level practices for healing and fitness, were brought out to the general public under the name "qigong" to better suit the modern mindset and the ultra-leftist (Maoist) thinking of this time period.

Falun Gong originally surfaced in the institutional field of alternative Chinese science, not religion. The Chinese government has generally tried to encourage qigong as a science and discourage religious or supernatural elements. However, The debate between what can be called "naturalist" and "supernaturalist" schools of qigong theory has produced a considerable amount of literature. Xu Jian stated in The Journal of Asian Studies 58 (4 November 1999):

"The controversy centers on the question of whether and how qigong can induce “supranormal abilities” (teyi gongneng). The psychosomatic discourse emphasizes the inexplicable power of qigong and relishes its occult workings, whereas the rational discourse strives to demystify many of its phenomena and to situate it strictly in the knowledge of modern science."

As Falun Gong practiice spread, Li stipulated that it could never be done for fame or profit and emphasized that practitioners may only spread the system voluntarily and must not accept any fee, donation or gift in return. His insistence on non-profit caused a rift with the China Qigong Research Society, the state administrative body under which Falun Dafa was initially introduced, and Li withdrew from the organization. Falun Gong quickly grew in popularity to become one of the most popular qigong systems in Chinese history. In 1996, Li Hongzhi took up invitations to teach the practice in numerous countries in Europe and Asia.

Teachings and Practice

Insert an opening paragraph summarizing the key principles, which are expaned upon below.

Falung Gong teachings are an electic mix of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements. Falun means "Wheel of Law" in the Chinese language, which appears similar to the Dharma wheel or Chakra. The falun in Falun Gong is depicted as a wheel consisting of five srivatsas and four taijitu. The Falun is said to be a miniature of the universe, and once it is installed into the abdomen, it turns continuously. When the Falun turns clockwise, it absorbs energy from the universe into the body; when it turns counter-clockwise it eliminates waste from the body. Li Hongzhi also points out that the falun in Falun Gong is different from the falun or chakras cultivated in Tantric Tibetan Buddhism. Li Hongzhi makes use of many concepts from Buddhism and Taoism in his writings and Falun Gong's teachings tap into a wide array of phenomena and cultural heritage.

The Falun emblem is the symbol of the Falun Dafa. The central character is the Chinese "wan", also known as manji. To western eyes it resembles the swastika used by Nazi Germany (except that it faced right and was rotated 45 degrees). In fact, the swastika is one of the oldest known symbols dating back 10,000 years, and it's frequently found on Hindu Iconography and ancient statues of the Buddha [1]. There is no connection between Nazism and Falun Gong whatsoever.

Over 2000 pages of Li Hongzhi's published lectures are available online. [2] The major text of Falun Gong is the Zhuan Falun. [3] Practitioners generally view Falun Gong in terms of an alternative ontology and epistemology, not religious practice. They disagree with quoting Li out of context and encourage a coherent insight into his teachings as a whole. It is generally believed by its followers that Falun Gong requires intensive and in-depth study in order to attain a competent understanding of its content. Practitioners point out that their own understanding has developed over repeated and careful study, as well personally experiencing the "miraculous" effects of Falun Gong practice. Critics tend to highlight particularily controversial issues and statements, frequently in an attempt to provide striking examples of the incredulousness of Li's cosmology. His position as the only teacher-master of Falun Gong has also been disputed, some arguing that his apparent power over the practitioners' worldview is suspect.

Fa

The foundation of Falun Dafa is known in traditional Chinese culture as the "Fa" (Dharma), or "law and principles" – that are set forth in the book Zhuan Falun. Falun Gong teaches that the "Buddha Law", in its highest manifestation, can be summarized in three words – Zhen 真, Shan 善 and Ren 忍, which translate approximately as 'Truthfulness (or Truth), Benevolence (or Compassion), and Forbearance (or Endurance)'. The process of cultivation is thought of to be one in which the practitioner assimilates himself or herself to Zhen 真, Shan 善 and Ren 忍. Li Hongzhi points out that Buddhism teaches "Shan" (Compassion) and Taoism lays emphasis on "Zhen" (Truth). Where is ren from? Confucianism?

Qi and Gong

Falun Gong has five sets of basic exercises (including meditation, four standing, and one sitting). The exercises are said to strengthen energy mechanisms that continually transform one’s benti (a term referring to "one’s physical body and the bodies in other dimensions"). Central to Falun Gong is the traditional concept of "cultivation practice" (xiulian) in which the practitioner's goal is said to be elevating their mind nature (xinxing) and gradually letting go of attachments such as selfishness, jealousy, pursuit, lust, zealotry and greed. Li Hongzhi teaches that though the purpose of cultivation practice is not healing and fitness, an illness free state can manifest even from qigong and that this has directly to do with him. Li states “We will push you beyond it, making your body reach a state free of any illness.” [4]

According to Falun Gong, 氣, qi (which means "breath"), is a natural form of energy possessed by all, and it can only be employed to improve one's health - while gōng, unlike qi, can also purify one's body, suppress illnesses, transforms the human body from the most microcosmic level (in systems that cultivate longevity), grows upward in the shape of a column above one's head, and is considered necessary in practicing towards enlightenment (or kaigong, "the unlocking of gong"). Qigong systems usually teach breathing techniques coordinated with meditative imagery and are often associated with traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese martial arts. Falun Gong teaches that in what they call "high-level cultivation practice", one must be in ''wuwei'', and any form of mind activity or imagination during meditation is considered an omission. However, a clear state of awareness must be retained: one is not allowed to slip into a state of trance.

Li Hongzhi states that he installs a falun in the elixir field of the lower abdomen (dantian) of practioners. Falun Gong practitioners believe that through the gradual improvement of their xinxing (mind-nature) they develop 功 (gōng), Why different from title? which they use to mean "cultivation energy" (this is an unconventional use of the word, which in Mandarin Chinese means "merit" or "achievement" and by extension is part of compound terms describing a disciplined regimen). However, rather than denying the more commonly accepted definition of the word, Falun Gong broadens its semantic meaning.

Enlightenment

If practitioners follow the requirements of the Fa and can meet the moral standard of higher realms, they are said to attain Consummation (or Enlightenment). In Li Hongzhi's earlier teachings the focus was on an individual practitioner reaching Consummation. In 1999, Li Hongzhi stated that "The vows of Gods in history are being fulfilled. The Dafa is judging all beings.” Underlying this prediction is the teaching that the entire cosmos is undergoing a process called “Fa-rectification” – a kind of renewal of the cosmos into the most original, purest state of being. All of the cosmos’ beings have strayed from the Fa, so they have to be rectified with Fa", stated Li in Switzerland (Li Hongzhi, Falun Buddha Fa: Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Switzerland, 1998 [5]. This process is said to affect all sentient beings (as well as matter) in the universe: they are being repositioned according to their moral goodness or xinxing (mind-nature). Those who have taken the side of the Chinese Communist Party in persecuting the Buddha Law are said to perish by the natural force of this process "when the Fa rectifies the human world", meaning, when this process breaks through from the microcosm, while all others will be provided benevolent resolutions. In 2001 [6] Li Hongzhi made clear that this Fa-rectification would target people based on their moral qualities:

“Moreover, when an Enlightened Being descends to the world, it is usually at a time when people’s morals are declining day by day, when people’s sins and karma are enormous, or when people’s morality is degenerate. Once the saved ones have attained the Fa and left, the dregs of humanity and the degenerate world that are left behind will be weeded out.” (Li Hongzhi, Essentials for Further Advancement II, [7])

There is controversy over what Li means by the "dregs of humanity and the degenerate world", but in his more recent lectures and writing he has generally referred to people who have given up their human nature in perpetrating the persecution against Falun Gong:

Ethics

Li Hongzhi often criticizes the state of modern society’s supposed moral degeneration. The Falun Gong movement recognizes the existence of karma as well as heaven for those who cultivate themselves properly. Thus, Falun Gong believes in the act of retribution, and all good and evil deeds will be paid in return in the due time. The true cause of disease is considered karmic. Li does not claim that viruses and bacteria are not behind people's illnesses, but he professes that they are not the root cause. Karma Falun Gong lays emphasis on virtue (te), to be a good person in all environments, and always think of others before doing things. Because of this, they see the Chinese government crackdown as an act of "evil". As well, Falun Gong is also criticized internationally for its controversial stances on sexual and racial ethics.

Li as a Saviour

Li is seen by many practicioners of Falung Gong as the exclusive savior of humankind. Master Li claims to possess the supernatural power to heal illnesses. Most notable were his treatments at the Asian Health Fair in 1992 and 1993, which were performed to "promote Falun Gong." According to Li, the purpose of cultivation practice is not to heal illness, and people should not hold such attachments if they decide to cultivate Falun Gong. Li says that the illnesses of "true practitioners" are directly cured by his fashen ("law bodies"). These bodies, independent entities who share the main person's thoughts and intentions, are said to be born in the dantian (the stomach, known as the "cinnabar field" in alchemical Taoism) when one reaches a very high level in cultivation practice. "Your illnesses will be cured directly by me. Those who practice at exercise sites will have my fashen to cure their illnesses. Those who study Dafa by reading the book on their own will also have my fashen to cure their illnesses." [8]

Li Hongzhi points out that according to Buddhism, this is the "Dharma Ending Period"; that during this period mankind has undergone great moral degradation and that this has to do with vast cosmic changes. The book Zhuan Falun says "Nobody should blame others for it, as everyone has added fuel to the flame" (Zhuan Falun, 134). During this "Dharma ending" period; In Zhuan Falun [9] he states "If I cannot save you, nobody else can do it." If a Falun Gong practitioner were only to do the exercises, but fail to follow the requirements of the Fa, that person would not be considered a Dafa disciple. Falun Gong practitioners are promised the possibility of becoming "Gods" as long as they safeguard and uphold the Dafa. In 2003, Li Hongzhi said: [10]

"I have truly borne for you the sins you committed over hundreds and thousands of years. And it doesn't stop at just that. Because of this, I will also save you and turn you into Gods. I have spared no effort for you in this process. Along with this, since you'll become Gods at levels that high, I have to give you the honors of Gods at levels that high and all the blessings that you need to have at levels that high."

“In the Fa-rectification, Master is actually saving all beings, not just the good ones; evil ones are of course included as well. I have often said that during the Fa-rectification I don't hold the past faults of any sentient being against him, and that I look only at a sentient being's attitude toward Dafa during the Fa-rectification. In other words, no matter which beings they are or how huge the mistakes and sins they committed in history, as long as they do not play a negative role with regard to the Fa-rectification, I can give them benevolent solutions and eliminate their sins and karma.” (Li Hongzhi, Turning the Wheel Toward the Human World, 2005, [11])

Membership

Since there is no concept of membership in Falun Gong practice, the actual number of practitioners is unknown. When the Chinese government banned the movement, the number of Falun Gong practitioners in China was estimated by the government to be under two million or even less; however, according to a state-conducted survey in 1998, there were over ten million practitioners in China. Some believe that after the July 1999 crackdown, the Chinese government began publishing what is claimed to be a lower number to downplay Falun Gong's presence in Chinese society. Falun Gong sources themselves claim that there are at least 70-100 million practitioners.

International Recognition

Falun Gong has been honored with over 900 proclamations and awards[12] from Australia, Canada, China (before the persecution), Japan, Russia, the United States and other countries. Especially in the United States, Falun Dafa has received much praise and acclamation. Li Hongzhi and Falun Gomg have even received several awards by Chinese governmental organizations. At the Asian health expo of 1992 and 1993 in Beijing, Falun Gong was successively nominated as the "star qigong".

How meaningful these municipal awards are, and how they are used to promote the Falun Gong are matters of some controversy. Falun Gong expert Patsy Rahn [13] (2002), states they “are documents routinely obtained by groups from public officials in the US for public relations purposes” and may be used to mislead people in China into believing “that the American government supports Master Li and his Falun Gong practitioners.” Noah Porter [14] (2003) argues that these awards are not always easy to get, citing one example from Tampa, Florida.

Suppression in the People's Republic of China

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Arrest of People practicing the 5th. exercise in China

In its early phase, Falun Gong was renowned throughout China as a form of qigong exercise in tune with the politics of the state. However, as the movement gained momentum Li and the followers of Falun Gong grew bolder in their criticisms of the government and held large but peaceful protests. Simultaneously, Falun Gong began to be seen as a naiscent religious tradition - a problem for the Chinese government, which only recognized five official religions (Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholocism and Protestant Christianity). Falun Gong has been the focus of international controversy since the government of the People's Republic of China began a nationwide suppression of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. Concerns were triggered especially when 10,000 practitioners assembled in peaceful protest. Not since the Tiananmen Incident in 1989 had so many people gathered together to protest the government, and the government's reaction to that particular incident was not sympathetic. Beginning in 1999 the government of China moved to suppress Falun Gong activities. Accusations of unethical and subversive behavior were made against Li and his followers, such as describing Falun Gong as a dangerous personality cult. In January 2001 a group of people performed suicide by immolation in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. The Chinese government insisted these individuals were members of the Falun Gong movement although Falun Gong members denied any involvement or knowledge of these acts. However, the act was reported by the government news agency as Falun Gong activity, and public reaction was strong against the movement.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Li Hongzhi, Zhuan Falun: The Complete Teachings of Falun Gong (Yih Chyun, Fair Winds Press edition 2001) ISBN 1931412537
• Li Hongzhi, Falun Gong (Law Wheel Qigong) (Yih Chyun, 1993)
• Li Hongzhi, Essentials for Further Advancement (Yih Chyun, 2000?)
• Danny Schechter, Falun Gong's Challenge to China (Akashic Books, 2000) hardback ISBN 1888451130, paperback ISBN 1888451270
• Barend ter Haar, Falun Gong - Evaluation and Further References (incl. extensive bibliography)
• Noah Porter, Falun Gong in the U.S.: An Ethnographic Study (Dissertation.com, 2003) paperback ISBN 1-58112-190-3

External links

• Falun Dafa official website
• Falun Dafa Information Center
• Falun Gong Info: The True Nature of the Falun Gong by Samuel Luo, a Falun Gong critic.
• Critics and followers of Falun Gong: Adherents find fulfillment, but detractors call movement a cult (Secember 18,2005) A San Francisco Chronicle report
• People's Daily excoriates Falun Gong
• The Two Tales of Falun Gong: Radicalism in a traditional form
• Falun Gong in the U.S.: An Ethnographic Study - a Master's Thesis by Noah Porter, also available in print
• Falun Gong - Evaluation and Further References (Prof. Barend ter Haar, Leiden Univ.) An introductory analysis of the Falun Gong movement in Chinese society and culture from the perspective of the scholar of traditional Chinese religious culture.

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