A Letter to Clarify the Truth to a Website Denigrating Falun Dafa

To Mr. (...),

My name is (...) from Queensland, Australia. Whilst browsing through the Internet recently, I happened upon your website relating to the subject of (slanderous word omitted). I was surprised and a little disheartened on viewing such a list, seemingly collated to either validate or vilify the array of beliefs and practices mentioned, including Falun Gong.

In particular, I am writing to you regarding Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) and its label as a (slanderous word omitted). May I ask you if you have undertaken some personal study or explored the information available via the Internet on the practice and its teachings? Have you personally spoken with practitioners and are such results the product of objective or experiential research? It seems that much of the information displayed comes directly from the Chinese government's propaganda against Falun Gong. The word (slanderous word omitted) seems to conjure in many people's minds the most definite and denigrating of connotations! This may effectively delimit any rational objectivity, discouraging one to further explore the practice in order to formulate his/her own understandings and conclusions.

As a practitioner of Falun Gong for nearly 5 years, I would like to ask a little of your time so as to share with you a brief introduction to its practice and offer you, from my own understanding, a short summary outlining the characteristics of Falun Gong, encompassing both its fundamental nature and its presentation worldwide.

Falun Gong was first introduced to the public in Mainland China in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. This ancient and orthodox practice incorporates exercise and meditation, being most accurately described as a cultivation system to develop the greater potential of one's human heart and mind. The key to this is to improve one's moral nature by embracing and practising the timeless principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance". Through upholding these qualities we can truly become better people within our personal and family lives, our working environments, and indeed, the wider community. It is estimated that over 100 million people in 60 countries worldwide now practise Falun Gong.

With practise, one's general health and well being is significantly improved and a positive and peaceful mind is developed and enhanced by incorporating the Principles into one's life. For myself, a greater sense of responsibility and moral obligation has emerged and continues to further unfold. I have personally witnessed many people's lives remarkably transformed by Falun Gong, young and old alike becoming healthier, happier and more productive members of society. I could continue writing volumes on the many benefits of the practice, but I would like to continue now with presenting some of the quite unique characteristics of Falun Gong.

Respecting the Freedom of the Individual

Falun Gong exercise and meditation instruction is always offered free of charge in parks worldwide and everyone is welcome to come and go as they choose. There is no registration or membership and no list of names. The motivation to practise comes from oneself and is encouraged when the many benefits become tangible for the individual during his/her practise. Falun Gong respects and upholds one's right to freedom of belief. There is nothing 'closed' as all activities are voluntary and the comprehensive information is accessible to the public via the Internet (sites listed below). The two main texts 'Falun Gong' and 'Zhuan Falun' are also available through leading bookstores. (now published in over 20 languages).

Taking the Principles as One's Guide

Mr. Li Hongzhi is respected as the teacher of Falun Gong, but there is no worship towards the man or the 'personality'. A practitioner takes the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" as his/her guide. I have personally met Mr. Li Hongzhi during a visit to Australia and I can truly state that he exemplifies a heart of humility and compassion. Mr. Li and Falun Gong have received over 700 awards and proclamations and he was nominated the past 3 years for the Nobel Peace Prize by hundreds of distinguished academics from around the world.

All Activities are Free of Charge

All Falun Gong activities are offered free of charge to the community with no monetary exchange or donations accepted. Those who offer to instruct the exercises and introduce the practice to others do so on a voluntary basis. Having experienced the benefits for themselves they naturally enjoy sharing the practice with others. None of the many practitioners I know have ever been asked for one cent on behalf of Mr. Li Hongzhi or anyone else. All printed flyers and materials offered to the public to promote Falun Gong are paid for by individuals upon their own volition.

Encouraging One's Compassionate Nature

Falun Gong essentially addresses the development of one's moral nature with the objective to truly diminish and finally eliminate all selfishness within oneself unfolding a heart of great compassion. One is encouraged to think of another's well being first in all situations.

All Activities are open to the Public

Falun Gong is open to people of all ages, cultures and beliefs. It is non-religious and free from any political or commercial motivations. There are no ceremonies, rituals or forms of worship involved. Our activities are practised openly in public and remain free to all who wish to participate.

Acknowledging Everyone's Right to Choose Their Own Path

Falun Gong practitioners respect everyone's right to choose their own spiritual beliefs. The freedom of belief is a fundamental human right, and everyone should be allowed and encouraged to follow what they believe in their hearts.

Respecting the Laws of Society

As a practitioner, one conforms to everyday life and the laws of society whilst attempting to live to extraordinary standards. Living to "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance" can only prove to be life enhancing and morally profound. It was estimated by the Chinese government in 1999 that 70 to 100 million people were practising, only 7 short years after its introduction to the public. Falun Gong was passed on largely by word of mouth after people experienced the many positive changes in their lives. As a practitioner, one is encouraged to actively participate within his/her local community.

The Persecution of Falun Gong

Falun Gong has been severely persecuted in China since 20th July 1999 with an official estimate of over 500 people of all ages and from all walks of life having lost their lives by being tortured within the confines of police stations, jails, forced-labour camps and mental institutions. Information from reliable sources within China states the true number of deaths is actually in the thousands. For continuing to uphold the principles of their practice and striving to become better people they have suffered such a fate. Over 100,000 innocent people remain imprisoned.

This is a very complex situation, but initially some high-level officials within the Chinese central government having an awareness of its overwhelming popularity thought that it potentially posed a serious threat to the established 'order' of the communist regime. Before 1999, Falun Gong was supported by the government receiving many honours and awards for its positive contributions to society. Though there is no membership or registration in Falun Gong, with an estimated 70 to 100 million practising, no other group within the 50 year history of the Communist Party had ever exceeded its own membership of 60 million.

From my own understanding, this persecution is less against a group promoting exercise and meditation and more about effectively extinguishing "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance", the principles for a greater humanity. Any reference to these three words is now illegal in China, banned on the Chinese Internet! Much of what has been reported about Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong has stemmed from China's ruthless propaganda based upon misconceptions and slanderous fabrications, sparing no effort to undermine its practise worldwide.

Falun Gong, in fact, unveils and expresses the timeless values and wisdom so treasured and woven from Chinese tradition. It reintroduces the ways to a selfless heart and the right to autonomous thinking, deemed most 'threatening', particularly when touching the lives of so many millions of people.

From a western perspective, traditional religious practices including Christianity have also been branded with the label of 'superstition' or (slanderous word omitted) since the reign of the Cultural Revolution. Although Christianity is growing in Mainland China, it is forced to come under the rigid guidelines of this totalitarian and atheist rule. Therefore, a Christian adhering to the government's authority must place the Communist Party before his/her own beliefs. If, in fact, one chooses not to follow such rulings then the church can be closed down and one becomes liable to be arrested, imprisoned and tortured for 'subversive' activities. I have read that in one province alone more than 3000 churches, 450 being Christian houses of worship, have been recently closed or destroyed. Many are then forced to go 'underground' hiding from such ruthless suppression.

As the situation worsens in China, around the world practitioners of Falun Gong continue a peaceful appeal raising awareness of the persecution to all nations, calling upon their hearts to bring an end to such abhorrent acts of terrorism. This persecution imposed by a Dictator upon his very own people completely disregards China's own constitution outlining the rights to freedom of speech, belief and assembly. Despite such vehement opposition and injustice, practitioners continue to take a peaceful stand to uphold the sanctity of virtue, for where would the world be without "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance?"

I do hope that my personal views, though limited, may offer some further insights into the practice of Falun Gong. Thank you for your time and patience and any comments are most welcome. For further information on Falun Gong you may visit the following websites:

www.falundafa.org
www.faluninfo.net

Yours faithfully,