BEIJING, Oct 30 (AFP) -
Falungong, the group banned in July and declared a cult by new
Chinese legislation Saturday, is one of several mystical sects
that have mushroomed in China.
They are thought to fill the
spiritual void left by the gradual abandonment of socialism.
Led by Li Hongzhi, who claims to have founded the concept of Falungong in 1992 and is currently living in New York, the sect claims 100 million adherents worldwide.
The charismatic Li has written several books.
His teachings, which urge people to live a good life and practice Qi Gong exercises every morning, are supposed to increase consciousness, tapping the inner strength of practitioners.
The sect combines Qi Gong, a martial art based on meditation and breathing techniques and the twin notions of reincarnation and karma.
It has attracted a large following across China, winning over people from all walks of life.
An article by an academic criticizing Falungong earlier this year published in China's tightly controlled press, provoked a massive peaceful protest on April 25 with 10,000 Falungong members nationwide converging on Zhongnanhai -- the seat of power of the central government.
The protesters immersed
themselves in reading the works of Li Hongzhi, or in meditation
while sitting in the lotus position, and dispersed later that
day.
Falun Gong or Falun Dafa, translated as Buddha Law or another more traditional translation would be Turning the Dharma Wheel. The term, Falun actually is taken from the traditional Buddhist term when the Buddha first spoke about his awakening he is turning the wheel of Dharma/Truth.
Master Li and his devoted followers are bringing Qigong to the forefront of the international center stage. He has broaden the practice of Qigong into something wider than mere practice but also cultivation of life and the universal harmony. As a Qigong practitioner I felt a deep kinship with all other practitioners of this ancient Art of Life. Now many people from the Western world are exposed to the power and benefit of Qigong.
So what is Falun Gong?
Master Li expresses Falun Gong as the Buddha Fa in the following statement.
" What is "the Buddha Fa" after all? Is it a religion? Is it a philosophy? That is only the understanding of the "modernized Buddhist scholars". They only study the theories and treat it as something in the category of philosophy for critical studies as well as so-called research. Actually, "the Buddha Fa" is not just the tiny bit documented in the canon, and that is only "the Buddha Fa" at the beginning level. "The Buddha Fa" is an insight into all the myths. It encompasses everything and leaves out nothing -- from particles and molecules to the universe, from even the smaller to even the greater. It is the qualities of the universe, "Zhen-Shan-Ren" (truthfulness, benevolence, forbearance), at different levels with different elucidation. It is also what the Tao School call the "Tao "(Way), or what the Buddha School call the "Fa "(Law)."
Now the central
idea behind Falun Gong is the three principles of Zhen, Shan,
Ren:
Truthfulness
Benevolence
Forbearance.
Truthfulness/Zhen
also has layers of meaning which points to being real as many
Taoist master is given the title of Zhen Ren, the Real Person.
Benevolence/Shan also
has layers of meaning which points to being kind, compassionate
and gentle.
Forbearance/Ren is
the same chinese character for the Japanese NINja, which means
one who can take extreme stress and perseverance.
In observing Master Li demonstrating the Falun Gong movements in his five forms, I can say that Falu Gong is a main stream Qigong that works with the interconnection between the macrocosm and the microcosm, the universe and our self. Based on my observation, his movements are very complete and round and full. His whole body moves as one unity. His face is very peaceful. Many of the movements resembles the Shaollin Qigong Yi Jing Zhing, the Sinew Ligament transformation Qigong.
Now some of the beginners are confused as to why Falun Gong suggest that one should not study other style of Qigong. As beginner, I agree that one should really focus on one particular Qigong. But if you read Master Li's biography, he had studied with over 200 teachers of various style. Therefor, that advice is only for beginner. I myself have study various style of Qigong though having one major practice. This is the normal developement of Qigong cultivation.
When a big elephant walks in the path it leaves big foot prints. Falun Gong is leaving some large marks on the world of Qigong and health. Even though there are many difference between the various Qigong practices, one should just take from Falun Gong what is good and learn from it. It is like eating an orange, peel away the waste and eat the fruit.
This is just my
opinion. I am neither condoning nor condemning the practice
of Falun Gong. And new students should be careful in
choosing his/her teacher. As a Chan master once said,
" drink the water and find out whether it is hot or
cold!"
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