Falun Dafa
Welcome to FalunDafa.org, a Web Site designed and hosted entirely by Falun Dafa practitioners. We hope that you will find this Web Site a good place to start learning about the practice of Falun Dafa. All of the content in this site – excepting the founder's writings – represents the ideas and opinions of Falun Dafa practitioners, and should not be taken as representative of Falun Dafa itself. We merely hope to introduce this wonderful practice to you, and we hope you will take some time to explore it for yourself!
Falun Dafa is a practice that has brought better health and inner peace to millions around the world. We call it a cultivation practice: "cultivation" refers to the improvement of one's heart and mind through the careful study of universal principles based on truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance; "practice" means doing exercises and meditation to energize the body.
Learning Falun Dafa is easy. The practice is simple, powerful, and absolutely free. The main principles of Falun Dafa are explained in their entirety in the book Zhuan Falun, and in the beginner's text, Falun Gong, both written by Falun Dafa's founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi. Also essential to the practice are the five gentle exercises, including a seated meditation, which you can learn quickly and easily at any of the thousands of practice locations around the world.
For a more detailed description of the practice, and answers to common questions, click here.
Getting started
We invite you to discover the extraordinary practice of Falun Dafa. You can start by learning the exercises at your local practice site, and start learning the principles by reading one of the books from this Web Site, or pick one up at your local book store.
Start with the links above, right. If you have questions, or are having trouble locating a volunteer near you, just call 1-877-FALUN-99 (toll free), and we'll help you get started. For more ideas about how to begin practicing, click here.
Again, welcome to this Web site – and welcome to any of our exercise practice sites, wherever you may be!
Falun Dafa: A Brief Introduction
Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) is an ancient form of qigong, the practice of refining the body and mind through special exercises and meditation. Like tai chi, qigong is a vital part of many people's lives in Asia; almost every Chinese park is brimming by the break of dawn with people practicing these arts.
In just eight years since its public introduction, Falun Dafa has grown to become the most popular form of qigong ever in Chinese history. The major reason for this is that Falun Dafa distinguishes itself from other qigong practices by emphasizing not only physical cultivation, but also cultivation of one's moral character in daily life according to higher principles taught by Mr. Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa's founder.
Falun Dafa's effectiveness in improving health and its profound principles have quickly made the practice immensely popular throughout the entire world. Since being introduced to the general public in 1992 by Mr. Li, Falun Dafa has attracted tens of millions of people in over 40 countries. Most major cities and universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe have English-speaking Falun Dafa practice groups.
The people who practice Falun Dafa come from every imaginable walk of life, as Falun Dafa transcends cultural, social, economic, and national boundaries. The practice has spread largely by word of mouth, as those who learn it usually find the benefits simply too good to keep to themselves.
A 3-minutes presentation of Falun Dafa
Real video (low bandwidth)
View online
Download (1.0MB)
Real video (high bandwidth)
View online
Download (4.8MB)
Quick Time Video
Click here to view (5.1MB)
1. The Books and the Exercises
The practice of Falun Dafa is simple, yet profound and effective. It consists primarily of two components: self-improvement through studying Mr. Li's teachings, and performing Falun Dafa's five gentle exercises. The exercises, which include a meditation, are easy to learn, enjoyable, and at the same time both relaxing and energizing. Many students of Falun Dafa enjoy doing them together as a group outdoors. The teachings are articulated in two books, Falun Gong (Law Wheel Qigong) and Zhuan Falun (Turning the Law Wheel), which are available in over a dozen languages, including English.
2. The Principles of the Practice
The benefits of practicing Falun Dafa are numerous and varied, ranging from improved health and newfound energy to mental clarity, stress relief, and peace of mind. Yet Falun Dafa is different from most other qigong practices in that it goes beyond the pursuit of health and fitness to the goal of wisdom and enlightenment. At the heart of the practice are the supreme principles of the universe: Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance. Through a combination of studying the books and performing the exercises, practitioners strive to become better people by embodying these principles in everything they do.
3. Is This for Me?
Millions of people all over the world have chosen to make the practice of Falun Dafa a part of their daily lives. Simply put, they find it a worthy and enjoyable investment of their time towards health, happiness, and meaningful living. All that's required is an open mind and a willing heart. Everyone is welcome, as Falun Dafa is apolitical, informal, and completely free of charge, obligation, and membership. All books are even available on-line. We invite you to give this wonderful practice a try and discover it for yourself. To learn about ways to begin, click here. If you have further questions about the practice in general, click here to view a discussion of frequently asked questions.
Learning Falun Dafa
There is no set way to learn Falun Gong. One can approach the practice from any one of several avenues. Should one's heart be sincere, any road into it will be fruitful. Falun Dafa is sure to be different from anything one has studied or practiced before, as its content is extremely unique and profound. Thus, your being patient and open-minded will ensure that the learning process moves along smoothly and swiftly. Most people find the company of a practice group an enjoyable way to start.
Falun Dafa has five gentle, easy-to-learn exercises, one of which is a meditation. Falun Dafa also consists of learning the principles of self-cultivation, that is, how to embody Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance. This is achieved by reading the main book written by Falun Dafa's founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, or by watching videotapes and listening to audiotapes of his lectures. One book, a few exercises, and incredibly profound principles - that's Falun Dafa in brief. The rest, bringing it to life, is in your hands.
That said, you can begin to learn Falun Dafa in any of the following ways:
1. Learn the exercises at your local Falun Dafa practice site
There are hundreds of "practice sites" around the world where people who practice Falun Dafa meet together to perform the exercises and/or study and discuss Falun Dafa's teachings. The "site" might be a park, a library, a hospital, or even your local YMCA. Everyone is welcome at the sites. At any site you will find practitioners who are happy to teach the exercises right there on the spot or elsewhere by arrangement. All instruction is free, of course. To locate a site near you, click here
2. Learn the exercises from the Falun Dafa exercise video
Anyone can learn to perform the exercises of Falun Dafa by watching and practicing along with the Falun Dafa exercise video. The video features Mr. Li Hongzhi demonstrating the exercises, and includes an explanation of their form, key points, and effects. The video are available on-line, purchased from a variety of bookstores, or borrowed from someone at your local practice site. To view video clips from the tape, click here.
3. Learn the principles of Falun Dafa from the books
You can learn the principles of Falun Dafa by reading the two main books written by Mr. Li Hongzhi: Falun Gong (Law Wheel Qigong) and Zhuan Falun (Turning the Law Wheel). Falun Gong is a systematic, introductory book that discusses qigong, introduces the principles, and provides illustrations and explanation of the exercises. We recommended that beginners and those without a thorough background in qigong begin with this book. Zhuan Falun is the most comprehensive and essential work of Falun Dafa practice, but is best read with some prior knowledge. Organized in the form of nine lectures, this book was the number one bestseller in Beijing, China in 1996. A thorough understanding of Zhuan Falun is necessary for genuine, advanced practice. As with the exercise video, both books are available on-line, purchased from a variety of bookstores, or borrowed from your local library or from someone at your local practice site.
4. Attend a nine-session video seminar
Nine-session video seminars are held regularly by different practice groups around the world at various locations. They represent the most comprehensive way to begin the practice. Over the course of the seminar, attendees will: watch nine lectures by Mr. Li, learn all of the exercises, and have an opportunity to discuss the practice with veteran Falun Dafa students. The seminars are, of course, also completely free. Everyone is welcome. To locate a practice group near you for information about upcoming seminars, click here.
5. Free teaching at your place
In order to accommodate those people without practice groups near where they live, many who practice Falun Dafa are happy to come by arrangement to teach the exercises and introduce the practice to those who express interest. Many times people have gathered a few friends, reserved a room at their local library, and invited people who practice Falun Dafa to come teach them. Most practitioners will be happy to come for any number of people, at any location. California practitioners have traveled to Guatemala for this purpose, as have Swedish practitioners to South Africa. This, too, is completely free. To find the people who practice Falun Dafa nearest you to possibly come teach you, click here.
Happy practicing!
*All Falun Gong Activities Are Free of Charge and Run by Volunteers *
The Falun Dafa Books
"As a matter of fact, no matter how many more articles we publish, they are merely complementary materials to Zhuan Falun. Only Zhuan Falun can truly guide a person's cultivation. It contains inner meanings that go from the level of ordinary people to incomparable heights. As long as you continue to cultivate, Zhuan Falun will always guide your elevation in cultivation." - Li Hongzhi
Zhuan Falun (Turning the Law Wheel)
By Li Hongzhi
Zhuan Falun was a best-seller in Beijing, China during 1996, and not without reason. Zhuan Falun, the core text of Falun Dafa practice, is no ordinary book. Its contents and teachings have done nothing short of redefining qigong and cultivation practice. Moreover, the book nurtured Falun Dafa from a practice done by 200 thousand people in China to one taken up by over 100 million around the world. It has transformed millions of lives, giving people back their superior health and allowing them to practice genuine cultivation according to higher principles. The profundity of this book cannot be described in words - it is something one has to experience. Since its publication in 1995, Zhuan Falun has since been translated into more than a dozen languages, with several other translations forthcoming.
Zhuan Falun is a comprehensive explanation of Falun Dafa that ranges across an enormous array of topics, shedding light where no other authors have. Zhuan Falun delivers the boundless inner meanings of Falun Dafa - it is the guide to Falun Dafa practice. Its language nevertheless remains highly accessible and unadorned, as the text is drawn from Mr. Li's public lectures in China from 1992-1994. From scholars and government officials to country farmers and the retired, people from all walks of life have been moved by Zhuan Falun to begin practicing Falun Dafa. The book guides the practice of Falun Dafa for both new and veteran students alike. Only history will be able to fully reveal this book's importance.
Key contents of Zhuan Falun include discussion of:
• the origins of qigong and the long-forgotten meaning of "cultivation"
• the roots of illness, and their fundamental removal
• karma: its origin, effects, and transformation into virtue
• Falun Gong's relation to qigong, Buddhism, Taoism, and other cultivation methods
• the meaning and function of supernormal abilities
• the question of eating meat and the issue of attachments
• genuine, integrated cultivation of mind and body
• what is Enlightenment, and what is Consummation?
HTML On-Line Viewing
(Reader)
DOC
(Reader)
Last Updated
Zhuan Falun (Translated by North America Practitioners, 2003)
890K
807K
06/18/03
Zhuan Falun (Translated by US Practitioners, 2000)
893K
876K
08/04/03
Zhuan Falun (Translated by China Practitioners, 1998)
580K
1.0M
10/23/99
For other writings of Mr. Li Hongzhi, please click here.
To search for articles and books on this site, please click here.
To purchase a hard copy of Zhuan Falun and other Falun Dafa materials, please click here.
Falun Gong (Law Wheel Qigong)
By Li Hongzhi
With the publication of Falun Gong in 1993, Mr. Li Hongzhi forever changed the face of qigong practice in China and, by extension, the world over. For the first time, the original, profound principles of qigong were made available to the general public. What's more, the powerful practice of Falun Dafa and its benefits were now available to all. In but a few years hundreds of thousands of persons in China came to learn Falun Gong through "the Book." One is hard pressed to find a book of comparable impact in recent years.
Falun Gong has since been translated into nearly a dozen languages, enabling Falun Dafa's transmission to a variety of cultures and continents; it has proven itself to transcend cultural barriers. Falun Gong is an introductory book, systematically spelling out the practice of Falun Gong in plain, accessible language. It thus serves as an ideal entry point to beginning the practice. It's profundity nevertheless far surpasses other qigong books.
Key contents of Falun Gong include discussion of:
• what is qigong, including its origins, goals, and effects
• Falun Gong's relation to qigong and Buddhism
• the origins, meaning, and genuine elimination of illness
• the true meaning of integrated cultivation of mind and body
• how to perform Falun Gong's exercises (with instructions and photo illustrations)
• detailed explanation of how the exercises function and are unique
HTML On-Line Viewing
(Reader)
DOC
(Reader)
Last Updated
Falun Gong (Chapter 4 and 5 replaced by "The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa", 2003)
1.1M
1.3M
03/24/03
Falun Gong (Original version, 2001)
1.1M
1.2M
04/24/01
For other writings of Mr. Li Hongzhi, please click here.
To search for articles and books on this site, please click here.
To purchase a hard copy of Falun Gong and other Falun Dafa materials, please click here.
Essentials for Further Advancement
By Li Hongzhi
Known among the community of Falun Dafa practitioners as "Essentials," this work is a collection of supplementary writings by Mr. Li Hongzhi. These writings can be seen as a further exposition of Mr. Li's Zhuan Falun. The forms they take are quite diverse, ranging from articles and letters to poems. The contents span four years and date back to 1995 - the year Mr. Li discontinued teaching publicly in China. They can be understood as a commentary on happenings in the world of Falun Dafa since the publication of Mr. Li's two other books. These short pieces communicate Mr. Li's observations of noteworthy developments among practitioners and offer corrective suggestions for conduct. Mr. Li addresses a number of specific incidents and events, including the famous "Zhongnanhai incident" of April 25, 1999, the day that over 10,000 practitioners went to Communist China's leadership compound in Beijing to appeal for their rights. This work is an integral component in Falun Dafa's practice for many students - one that provides specific insights into recent developments. One will want to have learned Zhuan Falun before reading this work.
To read or download Essentials for Further Advancement, select one of the following formats:
Essentials in HTML (for viewing online)
Essentials in PDF (270K)
Note: PDF is the best format for print. Please upgrade to Acrobat Reader 5.0 to read the PDF file correctly.
Essentials as a Word Document (290K)
(for viewing online or downloading with the Word 97/2000 Viewer. Get Word Viewer here.)
For other writings of Mr. Li Hongzhi, please click here.
To search for articles and books on this site, please click here.
To purchase a hard copy of Essentials for Further Advancement and other Falun Dafa materials, please click here.
Other Writings of Mr. Li Hongzhi
HTML On-Line Viewing
(Reader)
DOC
(Reader)
Last Updated
The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa
920K
1MB
12/03/01
Explaining the Content of Falun Dafa
329K
326K
02/03/02
Essentials for Further Advancement II
388K
756K
03/22/02
Lecture in Sydney (1996)
240K
234K
11/14/99
Lectures in the United States (1997)
150K
234K
12/09/01
Lecture at the First Conference in North America (1998)
230K
210K
03/04/01
Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Europe (Translation Version A)
230K
255K
07/10/04
Teaching the Fa at the Assistants' Fa Conference in Changchun (Translation Version A)
189K
223K
08/08/04
Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Singapore (1998)
245K
207K
11/07/04
Guiding the Voyage
125K
169K
03/22/02
Teacher's new "Jing Wen"
1.3M
1.6M
10/21/04
Feedback Email:
]]]
The Exercises of Falun Dafa
The five exercises of Falun Dafa are gentle, slow, and easy to learn. You can read through this page to get a general overview of each exercise, then click on the links below each exercise's description to see more detailed instructions, as well as video clips of Mr. Li performing each exercise with English insructions.
Of course, an easier way to learn is to get a free lesson at your local practice site. No appointments are necessary? just show up and learn! To find a practice site near you, check out the contact list.
To purchase "Falun Dafa Exercise Instruction Video Tape" and other Falun Dafa books and materials, please click here.
The exercises of Falun Dafa are:
Exercise 1: Buddha Showing a Thousand Hands
Exercise 2: The Falun Standing Stance
Exercise 3: Penetrating the Two Cosmic Extremes
Exercise 4: The Great Heavenly Circuit
Exercise 5: Strengthening Divine Powers
Exercise 1: Buddha Showing a Thousand Hands
Principles: At the core of Buddha Showing a Thousand Hands is stretching of the body. This stretching unblocks areas where energy is congested, stimulates the energy within the body and under the skin so that it circulates vigorously, and automatically absorbs a great amount of energy from the universe. This enables all of the meridians in a practitioner’s body to open at the beginning. When one performs this exercise, the body will have a special feeling of warmth and of the existence of a strong energy field. This is caused by the stretching and opening of all meridians throughout the body. Buddha Showing a Thousand Hands is composed of eight movements. The movements are quite simple, yet they control many things that are evolved by the cultivation method as a whole. At the same time, they enable practitioners to quickly enter the state of being surrounded by an energy field. Practitioners should perform these movements as a foundational exercise. They are usually done first, and are one of the strengthening methods for one’s cultivation practice. - Excerpted from The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa, by Mr. Li Hongzhi
Learn Exercise 1
• HTML Intructions
• View RealVideo instructions on-line
• Download RealVideo instructions
(5.9M - right-click on PC / Control-click on Mac)
Exercise 2: The Falun Standing Stance
Principle: Falun Standing Stance is a tranquil standing meditation composed of four wheel-holding positions. Frequent performance of Falun Standing Stance will facilitate the complete opening of the entire body. It is a comprehensive means of cultivation practice that enhances wisdom, increases strength, raises one’s level, and strengthens divine powers. The movements are simple, but much can be achieved through the exercise. Beginners?arms may feel heavy and painful. After doing the exercises, the whole body will immediately feel relaxed, without feeling the kind of fatigue that comes from working. When practitioners increase the time and frequency of the exercise, they can feel a Falun rotating between the arms. The movements of Falun Standing Stance should be done naturally. Don’t intentionally pursue swaying. It is normal to move slightly, but obvious swaying should be controlled. The longer the exercise time, the better, but it differs from person to person. Upon entering into tranquility, do not lose awareness that you’re exercising, but instead maintain it. - Excerpted from The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa, by Mr. Li Hongzhi
Learn Exercise 2
• HTML Intructions
• View RealVideo instructions on-line
• Download RealVideo instructions
(2.8M - right-click on PC / Control-click on Mac)
Exercise 3: Penetrating the Two Cosmic Extremes
Principles: Penetrating the Two Cosmic Extremes channels the cosmos?energy and mixes it with the energy inside one’s body. A great amount of energy is expelled and taken in during this exercise, enabling a practitioner to purify his or her body in a very short time. At the same time, the exercise opens the meridians on top of the head and unblocks the passages underneath the feet. The hands move up and down according to the energy inside the body and the mechanisms outside the body. The upward-moving energy dashes out of the top of the head and travels directly to the upper cosmic extreme; the downward-moving energy is ejected out from the bottom of the feet and rushes directly to the lower cosmic extreme. After the energy returns from both extremes it is then emitted in the opposite direction. The hand movements are done nine times. - Excerpted from The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa, by Mr. Li Hongzhi
Learn Exercise 3
• HTML Intructions
• View RealVideo instructions on-line
• Download RealVideo instructions
(3.4M - right-click on PC / Control-click on Mac)
Exercise 4: The Great Heavenly Circuit
Principles: Falun Heavenly Circuit enables the energy of the human body to circulate over large areas—that is, not just in one or several meridians, but from the entire yin side to the entire yang side of the body, back and forth continuously. This exercise is far beyond the usual methods of opening the meridians or the Great and Small Heavenly Circuits. Falun Heavenly Circuit is an intermediate-level cultivation method. With the previous three exercises as a base, the meridians of the entire body (including the Great Heavenly Circuit) can be quickly opened through performing this exercise. From top to bottom, the meridians will be gradually connected throughout the entire body. The most outstanding feature of this exercise is its use of the Falun rotation to rectify all abnormal conditions in the human body. This enables the human body—a small universe—to return to its original state and enables all meridians inside the body to be unblocked. When this state is reached, one has achieved a very high level within In-Triple-World-Law cultivation. When doing this exercise, both hands follow the energy mechanisms. The movements are gradual, slow, and smooth. - Excerpted from The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa, by Mr. Li Hongzhi
Learn Exercise 4
• HTML Intructions
• View RealVideo instructions on-line
• Download RealVideo instructions
(3.0M - right-click on PC / Control-click on Mac)
Exercise 5: Strengthening Divine Powers
Principles: Strengthening Divine Powers is a tranquil cultivation exercise. It’s a multi-purpose exercise that strengthens divine powers (including supernormal abilities) and gong potency by turning the Falun using Buddha hand signs. This exercise is above the intermediate level and was originally a secret exercise. Performing this exercise requires sitting with both legs crossed. Single-leg crossing is acceptable at the initial stage if double-leg crossing cannot be done.[48] One is eventually required to sit with both legs crossed. During the exercise, the flow of energy is strong and the energy field around the body is quite large. The longer the legs are crossed, the better. It depends on one’s endurance. The longer one sits, the more intense the exercise and the faster one’s gong grows. Don’t think about anything when performing this exercise—no mind-intent is involved. From tranquility enter into ding.[49] But your Main Consciousness must be aware that you’re the one who is doing the exercise. - Excerpted from The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa, by Mr. Li Hongzhi
Learn Exercise 5
• HTML Intructions
• View RealVideo instructions on-line
• Download RealVideo instructions
(4.9M - right-click on PC / Control-click on Mac)
Back to Top
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Q: What is Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong?
A: Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient practice for mind and body, originating in pre-historic China. The practice involves some slow, gentle movements and a meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. A central component of Falun Gong practice is studying the universal principles of truthfulness, benevolence, and tolerance.
Q: Who is Mr. Li Hongzhi?
A: Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced the practice of Falun Dafa to the general public in China in 1992. He then taught the practice publicly for two years in China, after which the practice continued to grow primarily by word-of-mouth. In keeping with Chinese tradition, Mr. Li is sometimes respectfully referred to as "Master" or "Teacher." He is not accorded special treatment, nor does he accept money or donations from students of Falun Dafa. He has ensured that the practice be available to all people, and without any terms or conditions. Mr. Li has given occasional public lectures over the past few years in various countries, including Australia, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA.
Q: Who practices Falun Dafa, and how do they find it beneficial?
A: Falun Dafa is practiced by people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, in more than 40 countries worldwide. Almost everyone who practices reports significantly improved health, reduced stress, and increased levels of energy.
Q: I'm interested in trying it out or learning more about it ?how can I get started?
A: All practice sites offer free instruction, and everyone is welcome. To find a site near your home, you can visit http://www.falundafa.org on the Internet, or call 1-877-FALUN-99. All materials are available on-line. There are also instructional books and video tapes available from bookstores, you can visit http://www.truegoodbooks.com/ to order them.
Q: How can I obtain a copy of Falun Gong book and exercise video tape?
A: The Universe Publishing (Yih Chyun Corp.) is dedicated to publish, distribute books, audio/video materials related to Falun Dafa (Falun Gong), you can order from them. Their website: http://www.truegoodbooks.com/
Information on the Situation in China
You may have heard about a massive crackdown against Falun Dafa currently going on in China. Exactly what is happening, and why has the Chinese government unleashed its fury against a practice that is so obviously peaceful and non-threatening? We hope we can help shed some light on these questions for you.
Background
It must first be understood that the Chinese government, run by the Communist Party, is officially atheist, so anything of a spiritual nature is discouraged and often outlawed because it is not in keeping with Communist ideology. For us in nations with democratically elected governments, freedom of belief is considered to be one of the most basic universal rights, but in China, such fundamental human rights are rarely protected.
The Events
On April 25, 1999, more than 10,000 Falun Dafa practitioners held a legal, peaceful gathering in Beijing outside the Chinese leadership compound, Zhongnanhai. The assembly was prompted by reports of violence and harassment previously inflicted upon Falun Dafa practitioners by Chinese police in the city of Tianjin, as well as an unjustified ban on publishing Falun Dafa materials. The assembly was peaceful and orderly, and after participants presented their case before Mr. Zhu Rongji, Premier of the Chinese State Council, they quietly returned to their homes.
The event clearly shook the Chinese leadership because they hadn't anticipated that so many people could have gathered so quickly in the heart of the capital. Not since the Tiananmen Incident in 1989 involving many Beijing students had so many people gathered together to make an appeal to the government, and the government's reaction to that particular incident was, of course, swift and brutal.
On the night of July 19th, 1999, police raided the homes of hundreds of practitioners and dragged them off to prison.
The next day, Falun Dafa was officially declared illegal in China. From that moment forward, a massive government campaign was formed to suppress and destroy Falun Dafa. The state-controlled media worked overtime to spread false information to the public, and they also sent out their propaganda through the Chinese embassies stationed around the world. The purpose was to mislead the public and cover up their severe human rights abuses against Falun Dafa practitioners as thousands were rounded up and held in detention for interrogation, torture, and so-called "reeducation."
To date, the Chinese government has used any method available to terrorize and pressure people to renounce their faith. They have pitted society and family members against each other through threats and heavy fines, and thousands have lost their jobs and their homes. And the list goes on.
Millions of Falun Dafa books and tapes have been publicly burned and destroyed. Access to all Internet websites regarding Falun Dafa have been blocked or jammed in China, and those who send out accounts of the beatings and abuse they experience while in detention have been arrested and jailed for "leaking state secrets." Practitioners are denied legal representation and have received sentences up to 18 years in prison in show trials. Thousands of others are sent to forced labor camps with no trial at all.
Even worse, many Falun Dafa practitioners are being committed to psychiatric wards and forcibly medicated with powerful psychotropic drugs causing serious harm to their bodies. This is a tactic used in the Soviet Union under Stalin as a way to make the public think that the victims are mentally insane and therefore they deserve to be locked up.
To date, there are more than documented cases of otherwise healthy practitioners being beaten and tortured to death while in detention.
During these months of violence and torture, Falun Dafa practitioners have shown unparalleled kindness and forbearance. Not a single practitioner has struck back or physically retaliated against police. Worldwide, all practitioners have used only non-violent, peaceful, and legal means to appeal. This kind of conduct, in the face of such torment and injustice exhibited on such a large scale, has spoken eloquently to the world about the fundamentally peaceful and compassionate nature of Falun Dafa.
What Can You Do to Help?
The best way you can help is to let people around you know what Falun Dafa is. Let them know that it is a practice based on ancient philosophies that helps people gain better health and peace of mind. China's biggest weapon against all spiritual practices is to call them 'cults' because the derogatory connotations of that word is often enough to put people on guard, and in the case of Falun Dafa, it is a label that is completely inaccurate. Practitioners lead normal lives and participate actively in their communities. The practice is an individual choice and is centered on the improvement of one's self. There are no obligations, and everyone is free to come and go as they choose. Falun Dafa is more accurately thought of as a "cultivation practice," which is a concept that may be somewhat new to us in the West. Many other self-cultivation practices similar to Falun Dafa have been practiced in China for many centuries, as they have provided health, wisdom, and peace of mind to countless generations. As these arts become more familiar in the West, our vocabulary for them will expand.
Also let people know what is happening to Falun Dafa practitioners in China. Get copies of the two-part video "Falun Gong: The Real Story" and invite your friends and colleagues to screenings. Write to your government representatives so they know that their constituents are concerned about the human rights situation in China.
"We are not against the government now, nor will we be in the future. Other people may treat us badly, but we do not treat others badly, nor do we treat people as enemies.
We are calling for all governments, international organizations and people of goodwill worldwide to extend their support and assistance to us in order to resolve the present crisis that is taking place in China."
- Li Hongzhi, July 22, 1999
For further information and resources regarding the situation in China:
Amnesty International
FalunInfo.net FalunInfo.net contains general-interest news about Falun Dafa, updated daily by practitioners.
http://www.fofg.org/ Friends of Falun Gong seeks in particular to free the Falun Gong prisoners of conscience in the People’s Republic of China and to end the persecution there.


0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home