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| '''Falun Gong''' (]: 法輪功, ]: 法轮功) is a controversial ] ] practice with influences from ] and ], which purports to improve the mind, body and spirit. | '''Falun Gong''' (]: 法輪功, ]: 法轮功) is a controversial ] ] practice with influences from ] and ], which purports to improve the mind, body and spirit. | ||
| It was introduced to the general public in ] by ] and grew very swiftly in popularity not only in ] but worldwide. It was popularised widely due to its good effect on health and moral standard of people. An estimate of the PRC government presented in ] on the public television (state owned) in ] mentioned that in ] alone the number of practitioners were aprox. 70-100 million. The practice is present in more than 60 countries, mainly in those of ] and ]. | It was introduced to the general public in ] by ] and grew very swiftly in popularity not only in ] but worldwide. It was popularised widely due to its good effect on health and the increase of moral standard of people. An estimate of the PRC government presented in ] on the public television (state owned) in ] mentioned that in ] alone the number of practitioners were aprox. 70-100 million. The practice is present in more than 60 countries, mainly in those of ] and ]. | ||
| The three basic moral principles of Falun Gong are: 'Zhen, Shan, Ren', which translate approximately as 'Truthfulness, |
The three basic moral principles of Falun Gong are: 'Zhen, Shan, Ren', which translate approximately as 'Truthfulness, Compassion,Tolerance'. It is through focusing on these qualities that a Falun Gong practitioner is able to develop their Xinxing (moral character) and would make them a better person. | ||
| As well as a set of moral beliefs, there are five sets of exercises central to the Falun Gong system which are supposed to enhance the circulation of energy in the body. The final exercise, a sitting ], also helps to create a tranquil mind and, according to the teachings, strengthens 'Divine Powers' of the individual. All exercises are taught free of charge by other Falun Gong practitioners and are detailed in Li's books. | As well as a set of moral beliefs, there are five sets of exercises central to the Falun Gong system which are supposed to enhance the circulation of energy in the body. The final exercise, a sitting ], also helps to create a tranquil mind and, according to the teachings, strengthens 'Divine Powers' of the individual. All exercises are taught free of charge by other Falun Gong practitioners and are detailed in Mr.Li's books. | ||
| Although the practice was spread widely in mainland China for 7 years, it has been persecuted in the ] since ] ]. Some argue that this happened because the number of Falun Gong practitioners in China grew to a larger number than the membership of the ] |
Although the practice was spread widely in mainland China for 7 years, it has been persecuted in the ] since ] ]. Some argue that this happened because the number of Falun Gong practitioners in China grew to a larger number than the membership of the ] and this had brought out the jealousy of the previous president of China, Jiang Ze Min. | ||
| In ] ], in ], as a result of an article in a local paper written by a member of ], about a thousand Falun Gong practitioners |
In ] ], in ], as a result of an article in a local paper written by a member of ], about a thousand Falun Gong practitioners went to the newspaper office to tell them the truth.They were peaceful and calm but some of them were still arrested with no reason and were beaten by the police. Several days later, about 10,000 people gathered outside Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of Chinese Communist Party. They were in a orderly fashion and were very peaceful. When they were gone, there is not even a single piece of garbage left.Even the left over cigratte that the police thrown on the floor is being picked up. China's vice president Zhu Rong Ji had met with them and promised to release the practitioners that were caught illegaly. He then received high and positive complements around the world and this had made Jiang jealous and this is why the persucation started. | ||
| This persecution is currently the subject of complaints by many worldwide |
This persecution is currently the subject of complaints by many worldwide human rights groups. In ], ] of the ] investigated the reports of abuse, and published a series of investigative articles that won him the ] the following year. | ||
| The government started to create lies about Falun Gong practitioners killing others but alot of the information they provided is unreal.This whole persucation had started on the basis of lies.Some people also think that Mr. Li's purpose of introducing Falun Gong is just to earn money which is also not true because everything practitioners of Falun Gong had said that they did not pay a cent to Mr. Li after four to five years of practising. There is also no evidence that Mr.Li has ever tried to overthrow or oppose the government before and after the persucation. | |||
| The PRC government claimed that Falun Gong is an evil cult. There are many reports that some believers hurt or kill themselves after reading the books by Li Hongzhi. Even before the crackdown, many scientists in China has already warned that there was no scientific evidence to show Falun Gong is beneficial for health. | |||
| ⚫ | The campaign of government criticism started in 1999 was considered by most observers to be largely ineffectual until January ], when persons claiming to be Falun Gong members, among them a thirteen-year old kid, allegedly doused themselves with gasoline and set themselves on fire in ]. However,it is soon found out that all those people were not practitioners of Falun Gong at all and Mr. Li Hongzhi had also denied that the persons can have been actual Falun Gong members, because killing is strictly forbidden by the principles and precepts of the Falun Gong. A video that had replayed the sceen at Tiananmen in a slower speed had shown and provided many evidence that they are not Falun Gong practitioners. An independent, third-party, investigation by North American media was denied several times by the PRC government. Many now consider that the whole incident was a media hoax and was set up by/with the Chinese government's consent in its campaign to discredit Falun Gong. | ||
| Some people also think that Li's purpose of introducing Falun Gong is just to earn money. There is no evidence that Li has ever tried to overthrow or oppose the government before 1999. Reports also said that Li did not even write the books himself. Many concepts of Falun Gong are taken directly from Buddhism, Taoism or other Qigong. The concept of "Falun" itself also long exists in Buddhism. | |||
| ⚫ | Nevertheless, most observers believe that the incident helped turn public opinion in China against the group and has had the effect of helping the government in intensifying its crackdown on a group of people who only wants to continue their belive of Truthfulness, Comapssion,Tolerance. | ||
| ⚫ | The campaign of government criticism started in 1999 was considered by most observers to be largely ineffectual until January ], when persons claiming to be Falun Gong members, among them a thirteen-year old kid, allegedly doused themselves with gasoline and set themselves on fire in ]. However, Li Hongzhi |
||
| ⚫ | Nevertheless, most observers believe that the incident helped turn public opinion in China against the group and has had the effect of helping the government in intensifying its crackdown. | ||
| Whether Falun Gong is an "evil cult," as claimed by the PRC government, is subject to much debate. | Whether Falun Gong is an "evil cult," as claimed by the PRC government, is subject to much debate. | ||
| Today Falun Gong |
Today more and more people had understood the truth about Falun Gong and had realized the lies Jiang had brought to the public. And also, outside China Falun Gong Practitioners are still increasing in number day by day. | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
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| * (list of press releases and other info) | |||
Revision as of 08:26, 13 September 2003
Falun Gong (Traditional Chinese: 法輪功, Simplified Chinese: 法轮功) is a controversial Chinese Qigong practice with influences from Buddhism and Taoism, which purports to improve the mind, body and spirit.
It was introduced to the general public in 1992 by Li Hongzhi and grew very swiftly in popularity not only in China but worldwide. It was popularised widely due to its good effect on health and the increase of moral standard of people. An estimate of the PRC government presented in 1998 on the public television (state owned) in Shanghai mentioned that in mainland China alone the number of practitioners were aprox. 70-100 million. The practice is present in more than 60 countries, mainly in those of North America and Europe.
The three basic moral principles of Falun Gong are: 'Zhen, Shan, Ren', which translate approximately as 'Truthfulness, Compassion,Tolerance'. It is through focusing on these qualities that a Falun Gong practitioner is able to develop their Xinxing (moral character) and would make them a better person.
As well as a set of moral beliefs, there are five sets of exercises central to the Falun Gong system which are supposed to enhance the circulation of energy in the body. The final exercise, a sitting meditation, also helps to create a tranquil mind and, according to the teachings, strengthens 'Divine Powers' of the individual. All exercises are taught free of charge by other Falun Gong practitioners and are detailed in Mr.Li's books.
Although the practice was spread widely in mainland China for 7 years, it has been persecuted in the People's Republic of China since July 1999. Some argue that this happened because the number of Falun Gong practitioners in China grew to a larger number than the membership of the Communist Party of China and this had brought out the jealousy of the previous president of China, Jiang Ze Min.
In April 1999, in Tianjin, as a result of an article in a local paper written by a member of Chinese Academy of Science, about a thousand Falun Gong practitioners went to the newspaper office to tell them the truth.They were peaceful and calm but some of them were still arrested with no reason and were beaten by the police. Several days later, about 10,000 people gathered outside Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of Chinese Communist Party. They were in a orderly fashion and were very peaceful. When they were gone, there is not even a single piece of garbage left.Even the left over cigratte that the police thrown on the floor is being picked up. China's vice president Zhu Rong Ji had met with them and promised to release the practitioners that were caught illegaly. He then received high and positive complements around the world and this had made Jiang jealous and this is why the persucation started.
This persecution is currently the subject of complaints by many worldwide human rights groups. In 2000, Ian Johnson of the Wall Street Journal investigated the reports of abuse, and published a series of investigative articles that won him the Pulitzer Prize the following year.
The government started to create lies about Falun Gong practitioners killing others but alot of the information they provided is unreal.This whole persucation had started on the basis of lies.Some people also think that Mr. Li's purpose of introducing Falun Gong is just to earn money which is also not true because everything practitioners of Falun Gong had said that they did not pay a cent to Mr. Li after four to five years of practising. There is also no evidence that Mr.Li has ever tried to overthrow or oppose the government before and after the persucation.
The campaign of government criticism started in 1999 was considered by most observers to be largely ineffectual until January 2001, when persons claiming to be Falun Gong members, among them a thirteen-year old kid, allegedly doused themselves with gasoline and set themselves on fire in Tiananmen Square. However,it is soon found out that all those people were not practitioners of Falun Gong at all and Mr. Li Hongzhi had also denied that the persons can have been actual Falun Gong members, because killing is strictly forbidden by the principles and precepts of the Falun Gong. A video that had replayed the sceen at Tiananmen in a slower speed had shown and provided many evidence that they are not Falun Gong practitioners. An independent, third-party, investigation by North American media was denied several times by the PRC government. Many now consider that the whole incident was a media hoax and was set up by/with the Chinese government's consent in its campaign to discredit Falun Gong.
Nevertheless, most observers believe that the incident helped turn public opinion in China against the group and has had the effect of helping the government in intensifying its crackdown on a group of people who only wants to continue their belive of Truthfulness, Comapssion,Tolerance.
Whether Falun Gong is an "evil cult," as claimed by the PRC government, is subject to much debate.
Today more and more people had understood the truth about Falun Gong and had realized the lies Jiang had brought to the public. And also, outside China Falun Gong Practitioners are still increasing in number day by day.
References
- 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
- Ji Shi, Li Hongzhi & His "Falun Gong": Deceiving the Public and Ruining Lives (New Star Publishers, 1999) ISBN 7801482387