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Li Hongzhi (Chinese: 李洪志; pinyin: Lǐ Hóngzhì; born 13 May 1951 in Gongzhuling, Jilin) is the founder of Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa), a spiritual practice that defines itself as a "system of mind-body cultivation" related to the qigong tradition.

Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Dafa on 13 May 1992, at the fifth middle school in Changchun, Jilin. From 1992 to 1994 he traveled throughout China giving lectures and teaching Falun Gong exercises. The spiritual movement gained a significant following in China until the government began persecution in 1999. Li lives in the United States. Since 2000, he has rarely appeared in public.

Early life

Li says that he was born on 13 May 1951 in Gongzhuling, Jilin province.. In 1999, the Chinese government said that he "modified his date of birth to the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, in order to coincide with the birthday of Sakyamuni", citing a Changchun Public Security Bureau document dated 24 September 1994, whereby Li formally altered his birthday. Li addressed the issue in an interview with Time, saying: "During the Cultural Revolution, the government misprinted my birthdate. I just corrected it. During the Cultural Revolution, there were lots of misprints on identity. A man could become a woman, and a woman could become a man. It's natural that when people want to smear you, they will dig out whatever they can to destroy you. What's the big deal about having the same birthday as Sakyamuni? Many criminals were also born on that date. I have never said that I am Sakyamuni. I am just a very ordinary man."

Much of Li's early life is subject to speculation, as a result of competing stories that surfaced before and after the persecution of Falun Gong began in July 1999. The biography in China Falun Gong (1992) states that he was "completely poverty-stricken" with his mother "relying on a wage of some 30 yuan to bring up the whole family." The 1994 edition of Zhuan Falun states that Li was born into a "white-collar" family. Chinese authorities say that Li studied at primary and junior high middle schools in Changchun between 1960 and 1969. After graduation, Li worked at an army stud farm, was a trumpet player in a forest police unit in Jilin Province, and then served as an attendant at a hotel attached to the same unit. From 1982 to 1991 he worked at the security department of the Changchun Cereals Company.

Spiritual biography

Li insists that his human life is of no particular importance to his teachings, and the biography that appeared as an appendix to the Falun Dafa text Zhuan Falun focuses only on spiritual aspects. According to the Zhuan Falun biography, Li Hongzhi had been taught ways of "cultivation practice" (xiulian) by several Masters of the Dao and the Buddhist disciplines of thought from a very young age. At four, he was trained by Quan Jue, the Tenth Heir to the Great Law of the Buddha School. By age eight, he had acquired "the superb great law with supernatural powers", reputedly including invisibility, levitation, and preventing other boys from moving. Li also became compassionate and developed an altruistic moral code. Master Quan left him at age twelve, to be replaced by Taoist Master Baji Zhenren.

A third Master arrived in 1972 from the Great Way School with the Taoist (alias of True Taoist, Zhendaozi), who had come from the Changbai Mountains near the North Korean border. The True Taoist taught Li the way of inner cultivation through Qigong, stressing xinxing (i.e. "mind or heart nature, moral character"). Due to the historical circumstances at the time, Li only practiced Qigong at night. A fourth Master - a woman from the Buddha School - trained Li after the True Taoists' departure in 1974. After training with these four Masters, Li's "energy potency had reached a very high level." The biography goes on to state that he had received training from over twenty masters in his lifetime and that "Some of his supernatural powers are difficult for ordinary people to imagine or understand."

Zhuan Falun further claims that in 1990, while practising with disciples, Li was able to push away stormy weather and hold off rain for "exactly half an hour". His personal development plateaued around this time, with the biography stating that Li was able "to see the truth of the universe, many more beautiful things which have existed there for a long time, as well as the origin, development and future of mankind."

After Falun Gong's ban in mainland China in 1999, new editions of Falun Gong's books no longer contain biographies of Li. These changes seem to reflect a larger trend of Li distancing himself from the public eye. Since 2000 he has very rarely appeared in public, his presence almost entirely being electronic or re-routed through quotations or directives on Falun Gong's websites. Li Hongzhi's biography were removed from Falun Gong websites some time after 2001.

Falun Gong

According to Zhuan Falun, Falun Gong's system was developed between 1984 and 1989 after years of synthesis from general Qigong principles and advice from Masters of numerous religious and spiritual schools. It claims to have "assembled all the mystical powers, which are the essence of the whole cosmos." While Li claims to have tested the system extensively between 1989 and 1992, Chinese authorities charge that Li created Falun Gong on the basis of two other Qigong systems developed earlier, namely, Chanmi Gong and Jiugong Bagua Gong. It added that some of Falun Gong's exercises were knock-offs of "movements from Thai dance that he picked up during a visit to relatives in Thailand." Chinese authorities asserted that acquaintances Li Jingchao and Liu Yuqing helped to develop the system, and other earlier followers helped write texts and touch up photographs; it was not tested exhaustively beforehand, but was completed only one month before its official launch.

Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Dafa, or the Great Law of the Wheel of Dharma, on 13 May 1992 at the fifth Middle School in Changchun, Jilin. From 1992 to 1994 he traveled throughout China, giving lectures and teaching Falun Gong exercises; His following grew rapidly. Li's success was largely linked to the huge popularity enjoyed by Qigong in the late 1980s and early 1990s under Deng Xiaoping's social liberalization. In differentiating Falun Gong, its "accessibility to the public" and moral content marked a shift away from esoteric notions often found in other Qigong systems. Falun Gong also became a member of the Scientific Qigong Research Association (Chinese: 中国气功科学研究会), which sponsored and helped organize many of Li's lectures between 1992 and 1994.

Li Hongzhi lectured that the "moral qualities cultivators are enjoined to practice in their own lives: truth, compassion and forbearance," - which evolved to become the three central pillars of Falun Gong. Li taught that the goal of cultivation is one of spiritual elevation, achieved by "eliminating karma—the built-up sins of past and present lives which often manifest themselves in individuals as illness—and accumulating virtue." Through cultivation, Falun Gong promised "personal harmony with the very substance of the universe." Because of Falun Gong's consistent allusions to Oriental traditions, Li criticized the self-imposed limits of modern science, and viewed traditional Chinese science as an entirely different, yet equally valid knowledge system. However, Li borrowed from modern scientific ideas to represent part of the Falun Gong doctrine - notably by making references to atomic theory and nuclear energy. By introducing scientific elements to his teachings, Li hoped to avoid Falun Gong being characterized as a traditional, superstitious belief system, and to gain a wider following in more educated people.

Li was also critical of alternative systems within the Qigong movement, stating it was "rife with false teachings and greedy and fraudulent 'masters'" and set out to rectify it. Li proclaimed that Falun Gong was a part of a "centuries-old tradition of cultivation," and in his texts would often attack those who taught "incorrect, deviant, or heterodox ways." In many ways, Li differentiated his movement to Qigong by replacing the undue emphasis on physical health nor the development of extraordinary powers, to moral values aimed to "purify one's heart and attain spiritual salvation.".

During Falun Gong's initial success with the Chinese public, its financial motives have been questioned, most prominently by Tianjin physicist He Zuoxiu. Falun Gong claims that in its history, its lectures had always been "run by volunteers and free of charge". At the time, many Chinese Qigong schools would charge large amounts of lecture and book fees for adherents. Li Hongzhi asserted that Falun Gong was different, and made efforts to make lectures as affordable as possible to the public. Li claimed that expenses should not "become a burden" for the general public and were only charged on the basis of covering costs. In reference to Falun Gong's financial situation, Li remarked "Since we offer salvation to all sentient beings, we should not add to the burden of the learners." Li also denied that he would be taking "Qigong tours" abroad to make money.

Li's success also had a large part to do with people seeking effective alternative medicine treatments at a time when China's health care system was struggling desperately to meet demand. As the Master of the Falun Gong cultivation system, Li's claimed to "purify the students' bodies" and "unblock their main and collateral channels" and in doing so "remove the root of their disease," if they were ill. He also reputedly planted a Falun or "law wheel" in the abdomen of each student and other "energy mechanisms" in other parts of their bodies. Li also described how his "Law bodies" will protect each practitioner and how he "clear up the students' house and places of practice and then put'a covering of safety'". According to Falun Gong groups, Li's success was recognized at the 1992 and 1993 Beijing Oriental Health Expo, where he gave three lectures instead of one due to popular demand, and received numerous "special awards".

In March 1995, Li Hongzhi arrived in France, beginning seven days of lectures in Paris at the invitation of China’s ambassador. This was followed in May by a lecture series in Sweden. Li Hongzhi delivered his first lecture in the United States on 5 October 1996. Li has lived in the United States since 1998.

Life abroad

On 29 July 1999, after Falun Gong was banned, the Chinese government levelled a series of charges against him, including the charge of "disturbing public order." At that time, Li Hongzhi was living in the United States. The Chinese government's request for arrest to Interpol was rejected on the grounds of absence of charges in addition to it being a matters "of a political or religious character." The Chinese government also revoked his passport, preventing him from traveling internationally. On 10 May 1999, Li gave an interview with Time, during which he stated that "human moral values are no longer good" and reiterated his differentiation to other Qigong groups. He also expounded on the "Dharma-ending period" and the existence of aliens corrupting the earth. He also avoided questions about his personal background, stating, "I don't wish to talk about myself at a higher level. People wouldn't understand it."

Awards and recognition

The first award from outside China was granted on 3 August 1994 when The City of Houston, Texas declared Li Hongzhi an Honorary Citizen and a Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of "the outstanding success" achieved in his "worthy vocation and in appreciation of the unselfish contributions" he had made and was making "through unselfish public service for the benefit of mankind." Subsequently Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong have received hundreds of awards and proclamations from Australia, Canada, Japan, Russia, and the U.S. in recognition of his contributions.

Li has received awards and certificates of recognition from several governmental bodies in the United States - including Honorary Citizenship awarded by The State of Georgia and City of Atlanta . A number of cities in North America including Chicago, Toronto, and Houston, have proclaimed “Master Li Hongzhi Day” in their cities.

In 14 March 2001, The Freedom House honored Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong with an International Religious Freedom Award for the advancement of religious and spiritual freedom at a ceremony in US Senate. In the same year, Li was ranked the most powerful communicator in Asia by Asiaweek magazine "for his power to inspire, to mobilize people and to spook Beijing."

Bibliography

• Falun Gong. Considered an introductory exposition of the principles of Falun Gong and the traditional Chinese concept of cultivation practice, along with descriptions of the exercises of Falun Gong. First published in April, 1993.
• Nine Day Lectures on Falun Dafa. From 1992 to 1994, Li Hongzhi presented his teachings across China, the contents of which were ultimately edited and compiled into the book Zhuan Falun. The teachings entailed a one to two hour lecture on each of 8 to 10 consecutive days. Exercise instruction was offered thereafter. The final of these lecture series, delivered in Guangzhou, China, in 1994, were recorded live and they form a central part of Falun Gong's teachings.
• Zhuan Falun-Turning the Law Wheel. Considered the central and most comprehensive exposition of the teachings of Falun Gong. First published in January, 1995.
• Hong Yin - Grand Verses. A collection of short poems written by Li, often touching upon issues pertinent to the traditional Chinese concept of cultivation practice.
• Lectures and Writings. Transcripts of Lectures delivered by Li and articles periodically published by him also form a central part of Falun Gong's teachings.

References

1. This is the same birth date found in the 1997 biography of Li Hongzhi on Zhuan Falun, according to B. Penny
2. ^ Benjamin Penny: Life and Times of Li Hongzhi, CJO. The China Quarterly (2003), 175:643-661 Cambridge University Press; doi:10.1017/S0305741003000389
3. Li Hongzhi qiren qishi," p. 64.
4. ^ Why Li Hongzhi changes his birthdate, People's Daily, 23 July 1999
5. "I am just a very ordinary man". Time Magazine. 2 August, 1999. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. Ownby
7. ^ Brief biography of Li Hongzhi: founder of Falun Gong and president of the Falun Gong Research Society, Chinese Law and Government v.32 #6 (Nov./Dec. 1999) p. 14-23 ISSN: 0009-4609
8. ^ David Ownby, "The Falun Gong in the New World," European Journal of East Asian Studies, Sep2003, Vol. 2 Issue 2, p 306
9. "Li Hongzhi qiren qishi," p. 64
10. ^ Ownby, David, "A History for Falun Gong: Popular Religion and the Chinese State Since the Ming Dynasty", Nova Religio, Vol. ,pp. 223-243
11. Zhao, Yuezhi, "Falun Gong, Identity, and the Struggle over Meaning Inside and Outside China", pp209-223 in Contesting Media Power: Alternative Media in a Networked World, ed. Nick Couldry and James Curran, Rowman & Littlefield publishers, inc.: 2003.
12. David Palmer, Qigong Fever: Body, Science, and Utopia in China (2007), Columbia University Press
13. Falundafa.org.
14. Zhuan Falun, 1994 Edition
15. http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2004/8/29/51850p.html Cleawisdom.net: Leaving Behind an Upright Legacy: A Practitioner's Recollections of the Early Years of Falun Dafa in China (Part 2)
16. ^ Falun Gong Timeline, Falun Dafa Information Center
17. First Fa Teaching Given in the United States, Li Hongzhi, 5 October 1996.
18. ^ Interpol will not arrest sect leader, BBC News, 3 August 1999
19. http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990510/interview3.html TIME Asia: Interview with Li Hongzhi
20. Honorary Citizenship Award from Houston, Texas
21. Report of Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, European Parliament
22. List of awards. Clearwisdom
23. Clearwisdom.net, Secretary of State of the State of Georgia Proclaims Mr. Li Hongzhi as an Honorary Georgia Citizen and Goodwill Ambassador
24. Clearwisdom.net, City of Atlanta Proclaims Mr. Li Hongzhi an Honorary Citizen
25. Li Hongzhi, Encyclopaedia Britannica
26. Danny Schechter, Falun Gong's Challenge to China: Spiritual Practice or Evil Cult?, Akashic books: New York, 2001
27. Asian Political News, Asiaweek names Falun Gong founder top communicator, 28 May 2001, accessed 22/5/08

External links

Li Hongzhi's teachings

• Videos of Li Hongzhi's nine day lecture in Guangzhou, China (With English overlay) at falundafa.org
• "Some Thoughts of Mine", June 1999 at falundafa.org
• Book: Practitioners recollection about their Teacher at clearwisdom.net
• The actual teachings of Li Hongzhi at falundafa.org

Interviews

• William Dowell (10 May 1999). "Interview with Li Hongzhi". TIMEasia.com.
• "Interview with Li Hongzhi in Sydney, Australia". 2 May 1999.
• Anthony Spaeth (2 August 1999). "Interview: Li Hongzhi "I am just a very ordinary man"". TIMEasia.com.
• Jonathan S. Landreth and J.S. Greenberg (8 August 1999). "Eye of the Storm". New York Times Magazine.
• "NTDTV Press Release: Summary of the Exclusive Interview with Mr. Li Hongzhi, Founder of Falun Gong". clearharmony.net. 25 January 2004.

• Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from August 2009
• 1951 births
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• People from Jilin
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