Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual movement that originated in China in 1992. It is a practice that combines meditation, qigong, and moral teachings, and its followers believe that it can help them achieve physical and mental well-being. In this article, we will explore the history, beliefs, and information surrounding Falun Gong.
History of Falun Gong
Falun Gong was founded by Master Li Hongzhi, who started teaching the spiritual practice in China in 1992. Master Li Hongzhi says to have learned the practice from Buddhist and Taoist masters, and he describes Falun Gong as a “cultivation system” that aims to improve one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Falun Gong quickly gained popularity in China in the 1990s, and by 1999, it was estimated to have tens of millions of followers.
However, Falun Gong is being brutally persecuted in China because the Communist Party, which is an atheist regime, cannot tolerate any spiritual beliefs, and for the simple fact that the number of Falun Gong practitioners exceeds the Communist Party membership. The charges made against Falun Gong in the Chinese smear campaign are fabricated and groundless.
Beliefs of Falun Gong
The teachings of Falun Gong are based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Followers believe that by practicing meditation and following these principles, they can improve their health, increase their spiritual awareness, and achieve a state of enlightenment.
The health benefits reported by people taking up Falun Gong are often immediate and many times dramatic, with some patients even recovering from severe illnesses. In addition the Chinese people recognized in Falun Gong an authentic representation of the spiritual traditions which have almost been lost after decades of communist rule. This sparked a wave of excitement about the practice in China during the 1990s, and the practice grew rapidly across the country.
The practice of Falun Gong involves four standing exercises and one sitting meditation, which are designed to cultivate the body’s energy or qi. Followers are also encouraged to live a virtuous life, to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Falun Gong exercises
Falun Gong exercises are a set of five gentle and slow-moving exercises that are an integral part of the practice of Falun Gong. These exercises are designed to improve physical health, promote mental clarity, and cultivate spiritual growth.
The exercises are easy to learn and can be performed by people of all ages and physical abilities. They do not require any special equipment or clothing, and can be done in almost any location.
Here is a brief overview of the five Falun Gong exercises:
- Buddha Stretching a Thousand Arms: This exercise involves slowly raising and lowering the arms while focusing on deep breathing. It is designed to loosen the muscles and joints and increase flexibility.
- Falun Standing Stance: This exercise involves standing in a relaxed but upright position with the hands held in front of the lower abdomen. It is designed to improve posture and balance, and to increase energy levels.
- Penetrating the Two Cosmic Extremes: This exercise involves moving the arms in a circular motion while bending the knees and squatting down. It is designed to improve circulation and strengthen the legs.
- Falun Heavenly Circuit: This exercise involves rotating the arms and legs in a circular motion while standing in a relaxed position. It is designed to open up energy channels in the body and improve overall health.
- Strengthening Divine Powers: This exercise involves stretching the arms and legs while standing on one leg. It is designed to improve balance and coordination, and to enhance mental focus.
Practitioners of Falun Gong typically perform these exercises daily as part of their practice, often in groups or alone. The exercises are seen as a way to improve physical health, mental wellbeing, and spiritual growth.
Falun Gong persecution
The persecution of Falun Gong refers to the ongoing campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to suppress the practice of Falun Gong. The campaign began in 1999, when the Chinese government declared Falun Gong a “heretical organization” and banned its practice.
Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have faced severe persecution, including arbitrary detention, forced labor, torture, and in some cases, even death. The government has carried out a wide range of human rights abuses against practitioners, including harassment, surveillance, and imprisonment without trial.
One of the most disturbing allegations is that the Chinese government has been involved in forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience. According to reports from human rights organizations and investigations by independent researchers, Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to medical testing and organ removal without their consent, with their organs being sold for profit in the organ transplant market.
The persecution of Falun Gong has been widely condemned by international human rights organizations, governments, and individuals worldwide. Despite this, the Chinese government has continued to deny and downplay the human rights abuses.
The persecution of Falun Gong serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting freedom of belief and expression, and of the need to hold governments accountable for human rights abuses. The international community continues to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and for the Chinese government to respect human rights and religious freedom.
Falun Gong organ harvesting
One of the most disturbing aspects of the persecution of Falun Gong in China is the allegations of forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners. According to reports from human rights organizations, independent researchers, and former Chinese government officials, Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to medical testing and organ removal without their consent, with their organs being sold for profit in the organ transplant market.
These allegations first surfaced in 2006, when two Canadian human rights lawyers released a report detailing evidence of organ harvesting from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience. Since then, numerous investigations by human rights organizations and journalists have provided further evidence to support these claims.
The evidence includes testimony from former prisoners, hospital workers, and government officials, as well as analysis of transplant data and medical records from China. This evidence suggests that Falun Gong practitioners have been targeted for organ harvesting because they are seen as a readily available source of organs for the transplant market, due to their large numbers and their generally healthy lifestyle.
The Chinese government has denied these allegations and claimed that it has stopped using organs from executed prisoners since 2015. However, human rights organizations and experts remain skeptical of these claims, and continue to call for an independent investigation into the allegations of forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners.
The allegations of forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners are a grave human rights violation and a violation of medical ethics. They underscore the importance of protecting the rights of prisoners and of preventing the exploitation of vulnerable populations for profit. The international community continues to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and for accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses.
Controversies surrounding Falun Gong
The Chinese government’s crackdown on Falun Gong has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and governments around the world. The government has been accused of arresting, torturing, and even killing Falun Gong practitioners, and there have been reports of forced organ harvesting from detained practitioners.
Despite the controversies, Falun Gong continues to have followers both in China and around the world. Its practitioners have organized protests and rallies to raise awareness of the human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners in China, and the movement has gained support from politicians, human rights advocates, and religious organizations.
Falun Gong outside of China
Falun Gong, despite being banned in China, has a significant presence outside of the country, with practitioners and followers in various countries worldwide. The movement has gained a considerable following in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia, as well as in North America, Europe, and Australia.
In these countries, Falun Gong practitioners often hold public events, such as group meditation sessions, rallies, and parades, to raise awareness of the human rights abuses and persecution of practitioners in China.
Falun Gong practitioners continue to maintain a strong presence outside of China. They have also gained support from politicians, human rights organizations, and religious groups, who recognize the need to address the human rights abuses and religious persecution that Falun Gong practitioners face in China.
Overall, the Falun Gong movement outside of China reflects the global reach and significance of the practice and its teachings. The efforts of practitioners and supporters to promote human rights and religious freedom for Falun Gong practitioners in China serve as a reminder of the importance of these values and principles worldwide.
Falun Gong and Shen Yun
Shen Yun is an artistic and cultural project that was founded by Falun Gong practitioners in 2006. The project aims to revive and promote traditional Chinese culture, including music, dance, and storytelling, which has been suppressed by the Chinese government under its communist regime.
Shen Yun is primarily known for its dance performances, which showcase classical Chinese dance, as well as folk and ethnic dance styles. The performances also feature live orchestral music, traditional costumes, and animated backdrops that depict various aspects of Chinese history and culture.
The founding of Shen Yun by Falun Gong practitioners reflects their belief in the importance of traditional Chinese culture, which they see as a reflection of the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Through Shen Yun, Falun Gong practitioners seek to share their cultural heritage with audiences around the world and to counter the Chinese government’s attempts to suppress traditional culture in China.
However, Shen Yun has faced challenges in its efforts to promote traditional Chinese culture, due in part to the Chinese government’s opposition to Falun Gong. The Chinese government has reportedly pressured theaters and performance venues to cancel Shen Yun performances, and has used propaganda and other tactics to discredit the project and its message.
Despite these challenges, Shen Yun has continued to gain a following around the world and has been praised for its artistic and cultural contributions. The project is seen by many as an example of the resilience and determination of Falun Gong practitioners in their efforts to promote their beliefs and values in the face of persecution and opposition.
Their website says: “Many of Shen Yun’s artists escaped ongoing persecution in China“.
Falun Gong and Epoch Times
The Epoch Times is a global, independent news organization that was founded in 2000 by Chinese Americans who were practitioners of Falun Gong. The newspaper was originally created to provide coverage of China that was independent of the Chinese Communist Party’s control and censorship.
Over time, The Epoch Times has expanded to cover a wide range of topics, including international news, politics, business, technology, science, health, and arts and culture. It has become one of the largest and most influential media outlets among the Chinese diaspora, with a print circulation of over one million and a digital readership of tens of millions.
The newspaper has been noted for its critical coverage of the Chinese Communist Party and its human rights abuses, including its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The Epoch Times has also been a prominent voice in raising awareness of the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China, and has called for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong and other religious and ethnic groups in China.
Overall, The Epoch Times has become a significant source of news and analysis for those interested in China and its impact on the world, and its coverage of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China has brought greater attention to this ongoing human rights issue.
What is Dragon Springs?
Dragon Springs is a spiritual retreat and community in upstate New York that was founded by followers of Falun Gong. The community was established in 2001 and is home to several hundred practitioners of Falun Gong, as well as a variety of cultural, educational, and charitable organizations.
Dragon Springs is located on a 400-acre property in the town of Deerpark, and features a range of facilities including residential buildings, meditation halls, a temple, a museum, and a school. The community also hosts cultural events and performances, and operates a variety of charitable programs both locally and internationally.
The community is guided by the teachings of Falun Gong, and its members seek to cultivate compassion, self-awareness, and spiritual growth through the practice of meditation and the study of Falun Gong’s principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The community is known for its focus on traditional Chinese culture, including practices such as calligraphy, painting, and martial arts.
Conclusion
Falun Gong is a spiritual movement that has been the subject persecution in China. Its followers believe that it can help them achieve physical and mental well-being, but the Chinese Communist Party has labeled it as an “evil cult” and cracked down on its practitioners. The human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners in China are a cause for concern, and it is important to raise awareness of these abuses and support the efforts to promote religious freedom and human rights in China.
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