Falun Gong

Falun Gong

Falun Gong is a growing religious movement. In the present form it appears to be founded by its leader Li Hongzhi in China in the early 1990s. As an institution Falun Gong has its present global headquarters in Dragon Springs, a 427-acre compound in Deerpark, New York, United States, near the residence of Li Hongzhi.

Ancient origin

Falun Gong, officially known as Falun Dafa, is a form of qigong, which roughly translates to 'cultivation. ' Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong is not yoga nor tai chi. It does involve using mild exercises or calm movements during a period of meditation. People will add onto the basics often distorting the forms of these practices.

It involves using exercises to optimize an energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being of that individuals body, mind, and spirit.

The focuses is on the perfection and refinement of mind and body. Falun Gong as a legal institution takes this a step further and incorporates the cultivation of morality and virtue in that refining quest for perfection.

The man

If we accept the opinions news media, like NBC News, Li Hongzhi and many of his followers consider Li as "a God-like figure who can levitate, walk through walls and see into the future. His ultra-conservative and controversial teachings include a rejection of modern science, art and medicine, and a denunciation of homosexuality, feminism and general worldliness."

The man Hongzhi instructs his followers to downplay his controversial teachings when speaking to outsiders. So, a question arises what is motivating the majority of the followers and exactly what are they following.

The exercises

The exercises are said to be merely an outward sign or ritual to bring mind and body and soul into a common focus like the [[Rituals and ceremonies of public prayer, singing, or waving your hands in Church, or physical demonstrations like making the the sign of the cross or facing the Qibla while praying toward Mecca or just kneeling, bowing your head, or even just singing.

But far more important to the Falun Gong personal journey is the refinement of one's xinxing (moral character and temperament).

That is no different than seeking the righteousness of God becoming a doer of the word, while meditation is little more than being still or waiting upon the Lord in and attitude of a prayer.

The tradition

We are told that Falun Gong believes that the virtues to cultivate are "truthfulness", "benevolence", and "forbearance".

We are also told that Falun Gong draws on oriental mysticism and traditional Chinese medicine, and supposedly criticizes self-imposed limits of modern science which today often has a very secular, non spiritual approach to health. If we are merely self evolved sacks of chemicals as some believe then the rejection of "modern science" under that perception may seem reasonable. They are known for opposing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) This may certainly or reportedly include espousing anti-evolutionary views, opposition to homosexuality and feminism, and rejection of modern medicine as a singular source of healing, among other views described as "ultra-conservative".

If someone believes diet can be important to your health then they believe in the chemistry of the universe and are not devoid of scientific thinking but to not reduce man to mere evolutionary chemistry is not anti-science. If modern science neglect diet as unimportant factor to health then it would seem that modern science rejects science.

So, the view that "traditional Chinese science as an entirely different, yet equally valid knowledge system" may be true depending on which traditional Chinese science you are referring too.

The opposition

Falun Gong may include from 40 to 70 million followers despite the opposition and persecution of the CCP. It is very popularity, and because of its moral positions and its attitude toward individual independence from the state it is often perceived as a threat to the internal politics and control over the people within the Chinese government and the influence of its controlled media.

The Falun Gong philosophy has a clear moral and spiritual positions that would naturally put it at odds with traditional atheistic and Marxist ideology. The persistence and commonality of the union of the practitioners is feared, if not jealously despised, by the Chinese government.

Media in China, being comfortable with bias and censorship, often takes a hard line declaring that the Falun Gong is "opposed to the Communist Party of China and the central government".

Shen Yun

Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world's premier classical Chinese dance and music company, established in New York in 2006. But Beijing sees it as the propaganda wing of the Falun Gong and fears it more than American aircraft carrier.

Why is a Performing Arts group considered more dangerous than an American aircraft carriers by the CCP?

Shen Yun is the singing, dancing face of Falun Gong – which the government describes as a malevolent “anti-society cult” that leads its followers to self-mutilation, suicide and murder. Is that true?

Falun Gong, which means “law wheel practice” in Chinese, is a set of meditation exercises and texts that preach the virtues of truth, benevolence, and forbearance. It was founded in north-east China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, a former trumpet player.

The leader of a growing Chinese spiritual discipline known as Falun Dafa said on Friday in New York that his movement poses no political threat to the Chinese government and that his only goal is to teach people how to lead "more meaningful lives."

The Chinese government has recently begun arresting members of Falun Dafa, especially after some ten-thousand of its members held a silent demonstration in Beijing in April.

Li Hongzhi, whose particular blend of meditation and exercise is followed by 100 million (m) Chinese, lives in an undisclosed location in New York due to fears about his personal safety.

He left China in 1996 after Chinese authorities began to suspect his role as the movement's leader.

New York City may not be the most relaxing place on Earth, but Li Hongzhi can find his inner peace just about anywhere.

Mr. Li, or "Master Li" as he is known to the faithful of Falun Dafa, says his particular blend of meditation, breathing exercises and Buddhist mysticism is aimed at teaching people how to lead "more meaningful" lives.

Many people, including the Chinese government, which has recently begun arresting the of Falun Dafa, believe that it is a dangerous cult with a powerful political base.

Master Li says his teachings are spiritual, not political.