Where Has the Falun Gong?

Whither the Falun Gong?

As early as last summer, they seemed like they were everywhere. But for almost a year now, the Falun Gong, a.k.a. Falun Dafa, a religious and meditation group founded in the early 90’s by charismatic leader Li Hongzhi, have been conspicuously absent from the streets of New York.

Noted for their ubiquitous, often ill-placed (Herald Square at Christmas time?) protests, the Falun Gong rally support against the oppressive Chinese government.

The Falun Gong claim to have membership, worldwide, in the hundreds of millions, and though their garish streets displays of violence and torture were a thing of wonder––jarring passerby with graphic, fake-blood-soaked reenactments of police torture––I wonder how many New Yorkers actually know what the deal is with this silent, meditative, often creepy group.

Are they a cult set on brainwashing America? An oppressed religious faction? A covert political movement?

More importantly, where did they go?

Next week at The Inquirer: “The Falun Gong: Oh, There You Are!”

(Image from flickr.)

Comments

[Jaya Gibson]

This seems to be a fairly pointed and unbalanced comment on Falun Gong. Perhaps it is so, in order to cause debate that is good for you as what you want is Internet traffic. To be honest I also welcome this debate. As it provides another opportunity for those like yourself who are unaware of the true situation in China and the benevolent nature of Falun Gong to learn the facts.

Let me clarify some things you wrote first:
1. Although its semantics, it is worth pointing out that Falun Gong is not a religion. There are no ordained positions, hierarchy, set rituals, set ceremonies, set places of worship or idol worship. It is merely a spiritual practice. So you may call it a religion and that is OK but Falun Gong practitioners themselves do not consider it to be a religion.

2. What is ill placed is the CCP's torture of peaceful people. It is never a bad thing for anyone to learn the truth of a brutal persecution. Do the world’s woes stop for Christmas time? No they do not. Whilst people are out shopping for their families, there are millions of innocent people imprisoned wrongly who do not have that choice. Christmas is actually a time of charity and goodwill to all mankind. Would Christ or God say "Sorry dude, can't help you now, it's Christmas and I'm busy buying XBOX games for the kids"? I think your comment in this regard is also misplaced.

3. Falun Gong does not claim to have 'membership' in the hundreds of millions worldwide. There is no membership role/list that can account for such a figure, as Falun Gong is not such organisation that requires registration. The figure is a fact that comes from a survey conducted by the CCP in the late 1990's when they wished to find out how many people were practicing Falun Gong in China. During this survey they also found out that approximately 98% of these people had gained health benefits from practicing. The huge number of practitioners was one of the main reasons that Jiang Zemin wanted to take control of Falun Gong and when he couldn’t he ordered it to be wiped out.

4. You state that Falun Gong is 'often creepy' with a link to VOA's article on the US congressional hearing of David Kilgour and David Matas's organ harvesting report. There is nothing creepy about what Falun Gong's practice of: Truth, Compassion and Tolerance - these values encompass traditional morals and ethics that most major religions hold to this day. What is creepy is the fact that the CCP is harvesting organs for huge profit from LIVE Falun Gong practitioners.

Actually I think that if you wish to find out more about the truth of the persecution it is very easy. For information about the persecution go to http://www.faluninfo.net or http://www.organharvesting.net. For information on the practice go to http://www.falundafa.org.

Read these, read the news and make your minds for yourselves but be sure to keep in mind that the truth will come out for everyone to see and the CCP will have to pay for its crimes against humanity.
I welcome your comments.

[大寶]

Haha, I think I have some idea of where the Falun Gong, but look forward to reading more on The Inquirer. However, I personally think the best strategy is to ignore them because popularity seems to be all they want. Also, I think they are indeed a POLITICAL group in the name of "cultivation practice" (while denying being a religion or cult, as others normally think of them). It is funny that they always claim to be telling the truth, while not knowing what kind of "truth" they themselves are talking about. http://falundafabs.blogspot.com

[Jaya Gibson]

Dear Anonymous blogger,
Let me clarify a few points for you also:

1. Falun Gong does not seek popularity. This is not even a valid argument and like most of your comment does not make sense. Popularity is something sought by those interested in fame, power and profit like the CCP. What Falun Gong does want is attention drawn to the human rights atrocities taking place in China such as the CCP's practice of LIVE organ harvesting for profit. There was a BBC story about this practice and a Chinese official even admitted that there were more executions around National Day to maintain 'stability' so there more organs available at this time. You can see for yourself here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5388464.stm

2. Falun Gong's goal to stop the genocide and human rights atrocities in China is not a political motivation. It has no interest in running any country but merely will do what it must to stop an illegal, abhorrent and inhumane persecution. This is standing up for human rights in a place where human rights are completely denied. What Falun Gong is doing is standing up for the human rights of every Chinese citizen not just Falun Gong practitioners.

3. Falun Gong does not deny being a religion – and why should it? Is being a religion a crime? Maybe in China but not here in the West – if you had properly read my previous comment you would have realised this. And yes Falun Gong does deny being a cult as it not one, plain and simple. Actually if you look up the definition of what a cult is the CCP actually fits the description of a cult perfectly.

3. As for your comment about truth, It's hard to rebutt a statement that doesn't even make sense. But I will nonetheless try. You talk about truth but lack the courage or honesty to reveal your name. Even your propoganda blog shows a photo of a small boy who you even admit is not yourself.

What are you afraid of? Only those afraid of the truth hide behind false names and images. Why would you be afraid? Perhaps you are one of the many bloggers hired by the CCP to further fuel hatred against a precieved enemy of the current Chinese regime. What you and others like you working for the CCP don't realise is that you lack the subtlety to diseminate lies and propaganda without making yourself look uninformed and ignorant. I am confident that anyone with common sense and intelligence will see right through your comments.

[大寶]

Hi Jaya Gibson:

1. Let me quote yourself: "it is worth pointing out that Falun Gong is not a religion" (Oct. 15) and "Falun Gong does not deny being a religion" on (Oct. 16).

2. Let me refer you to the dictionary. Source: WordWeb, politics, n.: social relations involving authority or power.

3. Another dictionary entry: Source. The American Heritage Dictionary, cult, n. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

[david]

Dear anonymous poster,

Regarding your post defining religion and cults:
Falun Gong does not fit either definition. Therefore, it must not be either one.

Aren't you at all concerned about people being tortured to death for practicing a peaceful meditation practice?

Any person with a bit of empathy understands that torture and killing for no logical reason is horrible.

Why does the Chinese government behave like that? They have tortured and killed so many people - and not just Falun Gong practitioners.

Doesn't that concern you at all?

[Scott Roberson]

That definition of a cult immediately reminded me of China under Chairman Mao. I'm thinking of hoards of people waving little red books and persecuting "counter revolutionaries" (whatever that meant) just because a charismatic leader told them to.

Isn't the current persecution against Falun Gong just the latest version of this?

It seems people don't really know what Falun Gong is, but they still feel they must persecute them. Why? Just because Jiang Zemin said so? Why isn't Hu putting a stop to all of this persecution?

[Michael Mahonen]

Anonymous poster, you seem to think that your following post indicates a contradiction:
1. Let me quote yourself: "it is worth pointing out that Falun Gong is not a religion" (Oct. 15) and "Falun Gong does not deny being a religion" on (Oct. 16).

It doesn't.

Please step back from the situation and think things over. Before Jiang Zemin pushed forward this absurd persecution, Falun Gong had absolutely nothing to say about the Chinese government at all. Politics are corrupt and dishonest for the most part and are contrary to the goals of Falun Gong, so there has never been, nor is there today, any interest in being involved in politics.

However, the Chinese government started this horrific, irrational persecution and has created countless lies to try and support it. So Falun Gong started telling people what the government was doing. Then the government "accused" Falun Gong of being "political". This is as absurd as the persecution itself.

There is nothing complicated about the situation. There is nothing "creepy" about Falun Gong. There is a persecution and it is huge and horrific and Falun Gong practitioners have been trying their best to let people know the persecution they are suffering. And they have done so peacefully and rationally.

[Kathy Gillis]

I admire those who have patiently taken the time to try to inform those people who simply want to call others names and denounce them. I scanned these anonomous comments and found them peurile and repugnant. There are many lives being lost in China daily. Please think about what you are doing because what goes around comes around.

[Jaya Gibson]

Dear anonymous poster,

Your rebuttle is weak and ill researched. Also you avoid being open as to your identity and neither do you address my points raised regarding your veracity and intentions. Your understanding of English and use of it is only hindering your ability to make any impact. Why do you avoid my points? Because they are the truth and you can't possibly defend yourself with any veracity so you avoid it altogether. This is a common tactic of the CCP regime.

I don't feel it is necessary to defend my post – but I will nontheless – as most reading it can clearly understand the difference between "pointing out that Falun Gong is not a religion" and "not denying being a religion" are not a contradiction. One is stating a fact and the other is understanding that people may have a limited understanding of the difference between a spiritual cultivation practice and a religion and thus not feeling the need to defend that position.

Your points 2 & 3 are ridiculous and I really feel sorry for you as you are obviously trying your hardest to fight a battle you don't have the ability to win. You merely state 2 dictionary definitions without explaining why they corrolate to Falun Gong as if this was enough of an arguement. I know why you didn't, its because you can't. It's not possible because it's not true and there is no way you could justify such a ridiculous accusation.
Countless officials, scholars and politicians around the world quickly realise that the truth of the situation is that Falun Gong does not fit into either of the dictionary definitions. But what they do miss is that the CCP perfectly fits those definitions. Interesting isn't it?

I suggest you stop being brainwashed by the CCP and realise the truth of the situation. What you do is only creating misfortune for yourself. I hope that you change your ways for your own good.

[Charmaine]

I find this whole article absurd. Falun Gong around the world have been very peaceful and upright people. They have caused no harm to anyone. Only in China is the government against them.
These people lead healthy lives and abide by the law. They are often very well educated and serve society well. They come come from a variety of backgrounds.
So why is China persecuting these people and creating their own "braindrain", then dispensing with nothing but lies that most other countries to do not abide by? It is out of fear. Fear that the nation might become righteous and see what the CCP is really about.
Simply it is a waste of their time and finances. They would be better off letting these people live productive healthy lives that better serve society. Falun gong members reduce the costs on healthcare and the economy.
They believe in Truth, Compassion, Tolerance, which is something most politicians do not always abide by. We know how corrupt politics are so why accuse something that strongly adheres to Truth, Compassion, Tolerance as being cultish and corrupt? Falun Gong does not fit by any of the catagories listed. There are many articles and papers that have evaluated these points. There also many that have honestly evaluated the CCP. This history is there. We seen it with many communist countries and they operate very similarly. I suggest you read the Nine Commnetaries at www.ninecommentaries.com or on the Epoch Times website. These are based on factual data that has been collected throughout the history of the last 100 years of China. Falun Gong is a pure spiritual teaching that comes from ancient China and is meant to save all living beings.

[Illuminus Prime]

I think Jaya Gibson may be right, this article is more designed to generate internet traffic than anything else. The article is lazy at best and seems more like a passing thought than something worth reading. Moreover it touches on a sensitive issue of religious persecution with insensitivity.
Similar questions could be directed at the writer- Whats your purpose? Whos are you connected with? Are you attempting to brainwash America with your own opinion? Do you claim to know 'what the deal is?'
Judging by your lack of facts I kind of doubt it. I'm not sure how this article got posted here.

[Looking]

'the deal is' that the protests aren't on the streets of manhattan anymore. I haven't seen them either.

[Maming]

The 'torture scene' protests referred to here may not be as common in New York as in the past. But his doesn't necessarily detract from the "claim to have membership, worldwide, in the hundreds of millions" - - I know that on the streets of Melbourne (Australia), these protests have been getting much larger, more common, and generally more visible in recent times. So they've gone there, and probably other places too.

[大寶]

The "facts" Falun Gong claims to have regarding the Chinese government's persecution of them are often these "torture scene" drama (with such a strong cast consisting of all their own people). Their streetside drama reminds me of the "psycho-drama" in psychotherapy, which might indeed help the neurotic and psychotic patients gain some sense. :)

No wonder Falun Dafa IS good! Haha...

[bobby fletcher]

I think Falun Dafa Information Center (formerly Falun Dafa Association of NY) has moved south to Washington DC.

Master Li's right hand man, Zhang Erping, has been busy with Freedmon House (a propaganda outlet paid for by the NED) and their "World Without Communism" stuff.

Does the guy even practice Falun Gong anymore?

[Timur]

Falun Dafa is an orthodox school of cultivation practice. Those who can recognize it will recognize it. Those who can't will miss an opportunity. Falun Dafa has nothing to do with a charismatic leader brainwashing people. Very educated people practice Falun Dafa, and the practice teaches you to have a very strong main consciousness and to be rational. It is true that some people may sometimes act a little irationnal while trying to save some people because of the persecution in China. Imagine what you would do if your family was arrested and tortured to death. People, awaken, see what is really hapenning. Get out your comfort zone and enlighten.

That's all I have to say.