Talk:Falun Gong/sandbox

This is PHASE ONE of the draft article

If you'd like to add content to a section edit that section and put the content in under a sub-heading with your name on it. Please do not edit other people's contributions. This will make the article very long and repetitive, but we'll trim it down in in PHASE TWO. The headings use will be debated in Phase Two as well.

The proposed end date for phase one is the end of April. If the concerned editors are all satisfied with their contributions earlier then we can bring it forward.

Alun Introduction left intentionally blank.

I thought it best to leave it blank for now as it would be helpful to first know what we're introducing and it'll help make sense of the table of contents below. If you disagree then feel free to add your thoughts below, but in this section it would be helpful to tag them without a header so it doesn't lead to problems with the TOC. /Alun

proposed by Alun
The main teachings of Falun Gong are said to be found in the book Zhuan Falun　(轉法輪). The teachings of Falun Gong are said to be a complete “cultivation practice” (xiulian, 修煉)　of both mind and body designed to allow a human being to reach “consummation”　(圓滿 Yuan Man) or “enlightenment” (a term used in Buddhism, and has also been translated as "perfection" or "completion") It can be separated into two parts, Cultivation and Practice.

In Falun Gong “Cultivation” refers to the upgrading of ones “Xinxing,”　(心性，mind nature and moral quality), which Li Hongzhi, (called “teacher”, or “master” by students) states happens when one gives up human attachments to things like, greed, selfishness, anger, lust etc. A high Xinxing is said to be is imperative for a human being to enlighten to higher truths. Li says a person can do so by following the principles set forth in Zhuan Falun.

The “practice” refers to purifying ones body by the practice of 5 sets of Falun Gong exercises said to open up all energy channels in the body and purify and strengthen ones body in every dimension. The exercises are split up into two forms, a set of four standing exercises which take approximately one hour to complete, and a sitting meditative exercise which also takes approximately one hour to complete. Both exercises are taught to be performed with a conscious mind and without the adherent slipping into any form of trance or visualization.

Li states that the cultivation aspect of Falun Gong is most important where the exercises are secondary, but also important for the completion of cultivation of both mind and body.

proposed by Ohc
agree with above Ohconfucius (talk) 02:12, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by HappyInGeneral
Falun Gong is an introductory book that discusses qigong, introduces the principles and provides illustrations and explanations of the exercises. Zhuan Falun is the core text of Falun Dafa practice.

The foundation of Falun Dafa are teachings known in traditional Chinese culture as the "Fa" (Dharma), or "Dharma and principles" – that are set forth in the book Zhuan Falun:


 * "Falun Buddha Fa is a great, high-level cultivation way of the Buddha School, in which assimilation to the supreme nature of the universe, Zhen-Shan-Ren [Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance], is the foundation of cultivation practice.''"

Falun Gong teaches that the Fa or "Buddha Law" can be summarized in three words – zhen 真, shan 善 and ren 忍, which translate approximately as 'truthfulness, benevolence (or compassion), and forbearance'. The process of cultivation is said to be one in which the practitioner assimilates himself or herself to zhen, shan and ren.

The teachings of Falun Dafa are articulated in the two main books of the practice, Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun.

Falun Gong lays emphasis on its ideas of good moral nature and morality. Practitioners are required to emphasize virtue (de), be a good person in all environments, and always be considerate of others when doing things.

According to Li Hongzhi, the sole criterion that distinguishes good from bad is the unchanging characteristic of the universe: Zhen-Shan-Ren. In Zhuan Falun, Li states: “As a practitioner, one must follow this characteristic of the universe to conduct himself instead of the standard of ordinary people… As a human being, if you can follow this universe’s characteristic of Zhen-Shan-Ren, you are a good person.”

In a speech in Los Angeles (2006), Li Hongzhi underlined that in practicing cultivation one must lay emphasis on cultivation of one's own heart nature or "xinxing":
 * "Cultivation is about looking inside yourself. Whether you are right or wrong, you should examine yourself".
 * "Cultivation is about getting rid of human attachments. If you always reject reproaches and criticism, always point your fingers at others, and always refute others' disapproval and criticism, is that cultivating? How is that cultivating? You have grown used to focusing on other people's shortcomings, and never take examining your own self seriously. When others' cultivation one day meets with success, what about you?"

The “practice” refers to purifying ones body by the practice of 5 sets of Falun Gong exercises said to open up all energy channels in the body and purify and strengthen ones body in every dimension. The exercises are split up into two forms, a set of four standing exercises which take approximately one hour to complete, and a sitting meditative exercise which also takes approximately one hour to complete. Both exercises are taught to be performed with a conscious mind and without the adherent slipping into any form of trance or visualization.


 * This is a copy paste from the original and I added the practice part from Alun. My reason is that in Falun Dafa we have cultivation practice, where the emphasis is on cultivation, so that should be throughly covered. --HappyInGeneral (talk) 11:51, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
Falun Gong is known by many as a form of Qigong. Qigong is known predominantly in the west as a Chinese form of alternative exercising for health and fitness. Qigong (literally, “working qi-energy”) refers to an energy force a student can capture through specific movements in order to improve health and fitness.

However, in the book Zhuan Falun, Li states that the Qigong is actually a profound and ancient form of “cultivation practice” used by human beings to attain enlightenment and ascension of the human spirit. The term Qigong was coined in the early 1950’s as an alternative label to past spiritual disciplines, like Buddhism, Taoism that promoted the belief in immortality and the pursuit of spiritual transcendence as a human beings true purpose and goal. The danger of association with past practices labeled “superstitions” during the Mao era would surely result in social embarrassment if not persecution. "

In the 1980’s after the Cultural Revolution and the death of Mao, qigong was tolerated by the Chinese regime because it carried no religious or spiritual implementations which could take peoples minds away from the communist ideology. Millions of people inside China’s spiritual vacuum flocked to qigong, as a way to improve health and fitness. In turn Qigong rapidly became a social phenomenon of considerable importance.

In China thousands of “masters” started to promote alternative methods of Qigong to the public, sporting cure all methods to heal illnesses to teaching supernatural powers, and also teaching others how to become Qigong masters themselves in order to make money by healing others. Estimates stated the number of registered Qigong organizations were in the thousands as Official and unofficial sources put total membership of people who practiced Qigong between 60 – 200 million in 1990.

proposed by HappyInGeneral

 * It's looks ok, a few things: 1. I think you have an extra quote: --if not persecution. "-- 2. where did you get the number of 60-200 million? I did not find in the source provided from Ownby.--HappyInGeneral (talk) 12:56, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
The teachings of Falun Gong are captured in two main books written by Li: Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun. “Falun Gong” is an introductory book that discusses Li’s view of qigong, introduces the principles of the practice of Falun Gong and provides illustrations and explanations of the exercises.

“Zhuan Falun” is said to be the main teaching and most comprehensive and essential work. It is seen by students as a compilation of Universal principles to guide students to reach their final goal of “consummation” or complete enlightenment. It is taught that by reading Zhuan Falun over and over again a person will assimilate to the fundamental characteristic of the Universe which Li states to be Zhen 真, Shan 善 and Ren 忍, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” Falun Gong students have taken these words to also be the basic principle and slogan for Falun Gong.

Zhuan Falun is organized in the form of nine lectures and explains topics including: Zhen 真, Shan 善 Ren 忍 is the Sole Criterion to Discern Good and Bad People, the Celestial Eye, Buddha School Qigong and Buddhism, Supernormal Abilities, Loss and Gain, Transformation of Karma, Upgrading Xinxing (Mind nature and moral quality), Practicing Evil Cultivation, Cultivation of Mind and Body, Demonic Interference in Cultivation, The Issue of Killing, Cultivation of Speech, The Issue of Eating Meat, The Issue of Treating Illness, Enlightenment etc.

Since 1992, Li has written other papers (called Scriptures by his students) that address the teachings of Falun Gong. He states periodically that only Zhuan Falun should be viewed as the main guide to help practitioners reach their goal. In 2003, 2005 and again in 2007 Li answered students who asked what they should read more, Li’s new articles or Zhuan Falun. Li answered, “What I’ve said recently in different periods is supplementary to Zhuan Falun. Just remember their relationship, and that what you should study frequently is Zhuan Falun.”

proposed by HappyInGeneral

 * I think Alun's version is OK. One small thing that I noticed: I think repeated study of Zhuan Falun instead of reading is more correct. Also I would not be very absolute on this part: "It is taught that by studying Zhuan Falun over and over again a person will assimilate to the fundamental characteristic of the Universe" just because I feel that reading/studying does not imply automatically understanding and acting upon it. So I would say a person "can assimilate" instead of "will assimilate" --HappyInGeneral (talk) 12:56, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
Li states that a human life is not created in ordinary human society but in the space of the universe. The space of the universe is benevolent to begin with and embodies the characteristic of Zhen-Shan-Ren. At birth, one is assimilated to the characteristic of the universe. However, Li also states that beings in the Universe developed selfishness and gradually their levels were lowered until, in the end, they reached this level of human beings. A human beings goal is to practice cultivation and return to their original, true selves. “One should return to one’s original, true self; this is the real purpose of being human.”

Li teaches that Falun Gong Practitioners must follow Universal principles taught in Zhuan Falun to assimilate to the characteristic of the Universe, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” Upon assimilation to the Universal characteristic, a human being will preserve his or her “De” or virtue by “cultivating” or improving their “xinxing” (mind nature, and moral quality) in everyday life by slowly acknowledging and discarding human desires and attachments. A practitioner must also be able to endure hardships and tribulations in every day modern life in order to reduce “Karma,” which is seen as a very bad, black substance that blocks people from enlightening to spiritual truths. “De” (virtues) is said to be a white substance that is gained by doing good deeds and forbearing through hardships and will be transformed into “gong” energy which is said to be the everlasting fundamental energy a human spirit possesses and what ultimately dictates where ones spirit goes after death.

Li states that one of the most important aspect of his system is that it cultivates the Main Spirit of a human being. Li states that a person is made up of a Primordial Spirit which is said to be a makeup of the Main consciousness or Main spirit (called 主元神　“Zhu Yuanshen”) and the Para consciousness or Para spirit (also called 副元神　“Fu Yuanshen.”) Traditional Chinese thought believes that many spirits exist in the human body, some of which govern the process of the body, i.e.: the liver etc. Li states that upon death the Main spirit is what dictates our future lives and is the spirit that we should cultivate the Gong energy for in order to ascend to higher levels. In Zhuan Falun it states that upon death both spirits split from the body and go their own ways. The Para spirit will reincarnate into another body to continue cultivating, where the Main spirit, or what we know as our selves, will be left with nothing and upon reincarnation, will not remember a single thing of its past cultivation and will be left to live life locked in this dimension in delusion. Li also teaches that other practices that teach trance and mantras and visualization only focus on the Para spirit.

Li states that a teaching that can offer someone a chance to return to their original true selves is called “salvation of all beings.” “In the Buddha School, “salvation of all beings” implies bringing you out of everyday people’s most agonizing state to higher levels. You will no longer suffer, and will be set free— that is what it implies. Didn’t Sakyamuni talk about the other side of nirvana? That is the actual meaning of salvation of all beings.”

proposed by HappyInGeneral

 * I think the above is a good compilation. Perhaps some rephrase would be needed in explaining Karma and perhaps it's relation with De. Karma is actually not only a bad substance but it's something that once gained it will cause you trouble, because in a sense it's a debt obtained through doing something wrong to somebody, so it does not only block you from knowing higher truths by generating bad thoughts toward good things, but it's also responsible for all the suffering a person has. For example it is considered that if a person has no karma even strangers will always smile at him and there will be nothing to generate hardships for him. --HappyInGeneral (talk) 13:49, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
Disease here etc

proposed by HappyInGeneral
Like disease is considered to be caused fundamentally by Karma and it's manifestation is microbes, etc...?

proposed by Alun
Invited by qigong organizations from each area, Li traveled to almost all major cities in China from 1992 to 1994 to teach the practice. Since then, Falun Gong has been spread by practitioners themselves, with Li only giving speeches on an irregular basis around the world. Falun Gong quickly grew in popularity in China, and starting in 1996 Li and others introduced the practice to other countries.

After Li stopped teaching the practice in Mainland China, before 1999, people learned Falun Gong by word of mouth, and it was usually practiced in the morning in parks like many other forms of exercise in China. After teaching publicly in Changchun, Li began to make his ideas more widely accessible and affordable, charging less than other qigong systems for lectures, tapes, and books.

For the first few years of spreading Falun Gong, Li was granted several awards by Chinese governmental organizations to encourage him to continue promoting what was then considered to be a wholesome practice. University of Montreal scholar David Ownby noted that neither Li nor Falun Gong were particularly controversial in the beginning. Li became an "instant star of the qigong movement," with his practice method celebrated at the Beijing Oriental Health Expos of both 1992 and 1993. Falun Gong was welcomed into the Scientific Qigong Research Association, which sponsored and helped organise many of Li's activities between 1992 and 1994, including the 54 large-scale lectures given throughout China in most major cities to a total audience of 20,000. The scale of the activities was unprecedented at that time. The practice was popularized in mainland China for seven years, mainly by word of mouth. It attracted many retired persons, factory workers, farmers, state enterprise managers, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and students.

In 1994 Falun Gong was taught at the Chinese consulate in New York, as part of the Party's "cultural propaganda to the West" alongside Chinese silk craft and cooking. The consulate at that time also set up Falun Gong clubs at MIT and Columbia University which are active to this day. Starting in 1995, Li himself taught the practice outside of China, chairing a series of conferences at the Chinese embassy in Paris. On 4 January 1995, Zhuan Falun was published.

The Economist asserts that much of Falun Gong's success in the 1990s was due to claims that it could heal without costly medicine, as many citizens had lost medical benefits and services due to changing economic conditions. Some in China maintained that Falun Gong was the most popular qigong practice in the country, and that many professors from Peking University practised the exercises every day on the campus grounds until the crackdown in 1999.

Proposed by Ohc
Ohconfucius (talk) 07:15, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
In April 1999, physicist He Zuoxiu published an article in the Tianjin College of Education’s Youth Reader magazine, entitled “I Do Not Agree with Youth Practicing qigong,” and criticised Falun Gong. Practitioners found his treatment of Falun Gong unfair and gathered to protest the article. Police were allegedly called, and then beat and arrested a number of them. On April 25, Falun Gong practitioners lined the streets near Zhongnanhai in silence, seeking legal recognition and protection of the practice in light of the alleged beatings and arrests in Tianjin.

proposed by Ohc
In April 1999, physicist He Zuoxiu published an article in the Tianjin College of Education’s Youth Reader magazine, entitled “I Do Not Agree with Youth Practicing qigong,” and criticised Falun Gong. Accustomed to complaining, to force retraction from critics pursuant to the "three nots" policy, practitioners amassed. Police were called, and then allegedly beat and arrested a number of them. On April 25, Falun Gong practitioners lined the streets near Zhongnanhai in silence, seeking legal recognition and protection of the practice in light of the alleged beatings and arrests in Tianjin. Ohconfucius (talk) 02:16, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by HappyInGeneral
Also I think it should be mentioned that Falun Gong books where banned in PRC since 1996, and there is a series of other actions from the government prior to He Zuoxiu's statement. --HappyInGeneral (talk) 09:33, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
On 20 July 1999, following seven years of rapid growth of the practice within mainland China;, the government of the People's Republic of China issued a statement banning Falun Gong: China today banned the Research Society of Falun Dafa and the Falun Gong organization under its control after deeming them to be illegal.

In its decision on this matter issued today, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said that according to investigations, the Research Society of Falun Dafa had not been registered according to law and had been engaged in illegal activities, advocating superstition and spreading fallacies, hoodwinking people, inciting and creating disturbances, and jeopardizing social stability.

The decision said that therefore, in accordance with the Regulations on the Registration and Management of Mass Organizations, the Research Society of Falun Dafa and the Falun Gong organization under its control are held to be illegal and are therefore banned. Xinhua further declared that Falun Gong was a highly organised political group "opposed to the Communist Party of China and the central government, [that] preaches idealism, theism and feudal superstition". It attempted a distinction between "ordinary core members" and the leaders, which it referred to as "a small number of behind-the-scenes plotters and organizers who harbor political intentions". It struck a warning-bell against some important Party and government officials who were members. Xinhua also affirmed that "the so-called 'truth, kindness and forbearance' principle preached by Li has nothing in common with the socialist ethical and cultural progress we are striving to achieve."

Li Hongzhi responded with a "Brief Statement of Mine" on July 22: Falun Gong is simply a popular qigong activity. It does not have any particular organization, let alone any political objectives. We have never been involved in any anti-government activities. I am a cultivator myself, and I have never been destined to be involved in political power. I am just teaching people how to practice cultivation. If one wants to practice qigong well, he/she must be a person of high moral standards...

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.

proposed by Ohc
Ohconfucius (talk) 02:42, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

The crackdown
Ohconfucius (talk) 02:07, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

proposed by Alun
A nationwide crackdown ensued with the exception of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. In late 1999 legislation was created to outlaw "heterodox religions," and applied to Falun Gong retroactively.

According to some reports, every aspect of society was mobilized against Falun Gong, including the media apparatus, police force, army, education system, families, and workplaces. An extra-constitutional body, the "6-10 Office" was created to "oversee the terror campaign," which was allegedly driven by large-scale propaganda through television, newspapers, radio and internet. Families and workplaces were urged to cooperate with the government's position on Falun Gong, while practitioners themselves were subject to various severe coercive measures to have them recant. Amnesty International declares the persecution to be politically motivated and a restriction of fundamental freedoms.

Protests in Beijing were frequent for the first few years following the 1999 edict, though they have largely been silenced since. Practitioners' presence in mainland China has become more low-profile, as they opt for alternative methods of informing about the public persecution, such as through overnight letterbox drops of CD-ROMs. They have occasionally hacked into state television channels to broadcast their material, with harsh repercussions. Practitioners are also globally active in appealing to governments, media and the people of their respective countries about the situation in China.

There are particular concerns over reports of torture, illegal imprisonment including forced labour, and psychiatric abuses. Falun Gong related cases comprise 66% of all reported torture cases in China, and at least half of the labour camp population. Since 2006, Falun Gong has alleged systematic organ harvesting from living practitioners, and an investigation led by two Canadian parliamentarians has lent some support to the claims. Kilgour and Matas's conclusions have been questioned by the Congressional Research Service, which regarded them as inconsistent with the findings of other investigations, relying largely on logical inferences. The Christian Science Monitor states that the report's evidence is circumstantial but persuasive.

The U.S. House of Representatives accused China of unlawful harassment of United States citizens and residents who practice Falun Gong, and passed a resolution unanimously calling on the Chinese government to "cease its persecution and harassment of Falun Gong practitioners in the United States" Practitioners also draw attention to their plight by demonstrating the meditation exercises, distributing flyers, displaying banners, initiating lawsuits, demonstrating outside Chinese consulates around the world, and organising other public events such as lavish travelling Chinese New Year shows.

proposed by Alun
A section about the Chinese government's propaganda campaign should go here. The Chinese government is X, therefore it can be followed by the rebuttals of the claims by the Falun Gong movement as Y.

proposed by Alun
A section about the Falun Gong's media strategy should go here, with the view that this is not simply propaganda, but Fa Rectfication. The Falun Gong are X here, so criticisms follow as Y.

proposed by Alun
Benjamin Penny of the Australian National University has published detailed treatments of Chinese Buddhist publications and what they have written on Falun Gong. Noah Porter, Susan Palmer and David Ownby have published ethnographic studies of Falun Gong as it is currently transmitted and practiced in the United States. James Tong has written about the development of the campaign to persecute the practice in Mainland China, also analysing the use of the state media apparatus in its portrayal of Falun Gong as a well-financed organisation.

Ownby has analysed Falun Gong from a historical Chinese perspective and commented on his experience of meeting modern Falun Gong practitioners. Ownby has also speculated on Falun Gong as a cultural renewal of ancient Chinese cultivation forms with Ming dynasty roots. Stephen Chan has written about Falun Gong's relationship to Buddhism and other qigong varieties, also commenting on deeper reasons behind the persecution in Mainland China.

In December 2005, Quebec Superior Court Justice Jeannine Rousseau wrote in a decision for a case brought by Falun Gong that the teachings promise supernatural and healing powers, purification with a wheel in the stomach, and reject science; she said Falun Gong is a controversial movement which does not accept criticism.

It has been argued that the movement itself and the state's response to it cannot be understood without reference to the recent history of the People's Republic of China.

proposed by Alun
Something on the spread and appeal of Falun Gong across the world should go here. Where is it particularly successful? Media and protests should be under Fa recitification section instead, because they're about the FG campaign against the Chinese government rather than its global context.

proposed by Alun

 * Ian Adams, Riley Adams and Rocco Galati, Power of the Wheel: The Falun Gong Revolution (Toronto: Stoddart Publishing, 2000) hard cover ISBN 0-7737-3270-5
 * Maria Hsia Chang, Falun Gong: The End of Days (New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2004) ISBN 0-300-10227-5
 * Li Hongzhi, Falun Gong (Law Wheel qigong) (Yih Chyun, 1993)
 * Li Hongzhi, Zhuan Falun (Yih Chyun, 2000?)
 * Danny Schechter, Falun Gong's Challenge to China (Akashic Books, 2000) hardback ISBN 1-888451-13-0, paperback ISBN 1-888451-27-0

proposed by Alun
note there are no pro or anti-sections here - it's simply a question of whether a link makes this a better article.
 * FalunDafa.org Official site
 * Articles on the Falun Gong, Pulitzer Prize winner Ian Johnson, 2001, Wall Street Journal.
 * Condemn Falun Gong Cult— a series of anti-Falun Gong articles in the state-run Xinhua.
 * The Epoch Times A newspaper affliated with Falun Gong.
 * Falun Gong: Cult or Culture?, Produced by Chris Bullock, Radio National, April 22, 2001
 * Falun Gong: Evaluation and Further References Site of Barend ter Haar, sinologist
 * Falun Gong Human Rights Working Group
 * James Randi Educational Foundation
 * La Presse Chinoise, special issue on Falun Gong
 * Rick Ross Institute
 * Skeptic's Dictionary entry for Falun Gong

Ohconfucius (talk) 07:03, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

Falun Gong sites

 * FalunDafa.org
 * Falun Gong Human Rights Working Group

Critical sites

 * Condemn Falun Gong Cult — a series of anti-Falun Gong articles in the state-run Xinhua
 * Rick Ross Institute

Other sites

 * Articles on the Falun Gong, Pulitzer Prize winner Ian Johnson, 2001, Wall Street Journal
 * Falun Gong: Cult or Culture?, Produced by Chris Bullock, Radio National, April 22, 2001
 * Falungong Part 1: From Sport to Suicide, Francesco Sisci, Asia Times, January 27, 2001

''If there is a small number of links to be maintained, I would stick with the current version. However I would strongly agree with a page called Falun Gong links, which would be a collection of organized links. Also as Falun Gong sites, Critical site, Other sites and some subcategory. I know that Wikipedia is trying to stay neutral to describe a subject, but in this case the subject is mainly described in 2 ways, pro and contra.''

Hoat-lûn-kong Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun gong Falun Gong פאלון גונג Falun gong 파룬궁 Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun Dafa Falun Gong Falun Gong 法輪功 Falun Gong Falun Gong Falun Gong Фалуньгун Falun Dafa Falun Gong Фалун Гонг Falun Gong Falungong Pháp Luân Công Фалунь Дафа 法轮功