(Minghui.org)
Mr. Zhong Weiguang, a Chinese scholar and freelance writer living in Germany, began researching Falun Gong after the April 25 appeal, when 10,000 practitioners peacefully gathered in Beijing to request fair treatment from the government. On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Falun Gong's introduction to the public, Mr. Zhong shared his observations in an interview with Minghui.org.
The following was written and compiled based upon the transcript of the interview.
Mr. Zhong Weiguang
An Unprecedented and Creative Solution for Disintegrating the Evil
Based on my studies of totalitarianism, I think the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party is the most complete and thorough of documents. It has illustrated the nature of the Communist Party from its roots. The movement to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is an even more creative solution.
It is unique in its methodology, historical significance, and impact upon society. In the 50-plus-year movement to disintegrate Eastern European communist parties, there has never been such a systematic understanding of communism, not to mention the disintegration of this evil by having people quit the Communist Party based on a clear understanding of what it truly is.
As for its methodology, it is deeply rooted in traditional Oriental culture. It is kind, forgiving, and tolerant. It does not make enemies. It seeks benevolence.
The CCP has killed tens of millions of Chinese, and every Chinese family has members who have been persecuted at the hands of the Party. However, suppressing evil with evil is not humane and will not fundamentally resolve the issue.
Falun Gong's intention to save people shows everywhere. It tells people to quit the Communist Party instead of eliminating it as an enemy. Even the Communist Party members feel their kindness. The method asks people to see through the evilness of the Communist Party and to dissociate themselves from it; therefore, it requires people to reach their own salvation. This is the meaning of the traditional Chinese idiom of “putting aside the butcher knife.” As long as you have quit, it's okay. However, you will have to take the step.
More surprising to me is that so many Falun Gong practitioners are promoting the movement. I have come across a wealthy family in Taiwan. The entire family goes to the Star Building at 4 p.m. every day to tell tourists from the mainland to quit the CCP. It is very touching. Not only the persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China but also practitioners in Taiwan, those in Germany, and those throughout the rest of the world–all the people who believe in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance–are all part of this. If one does not understand their faith, one cannot imagine their contributions and sacrifices.
This movement of quitting the CCP is building a solid and positive foundation for the continuation of Chinese society. I believe that people will later understand its deeper implications for the entire human society and history.
Shen Yun Spectacular
Shen Yun is another miracle beyond my imagination.
If you told me in 1999 or even 2001 what Falun Gong would be doing today, I would have considered it inconceivable. I have come to realize that today's Shen Yun world tour is of historical significance. After many years, we may be even more surprised to find that it is something beyond ordinary people.
Several years ago, I observed Shen Yun from the perspective of observing other arts and culture. Later, I realized that it is beyond the realm of ordinary arts and culture. For example, people without Christian beliefs may enjoy Bach's music from the perspective of music and culture, but for Christians, it holds deeper meanings.
Similarly, Shen Yun contains many meanings that extend beyond the confines of ordinary culture. It contains many spiritual aspects about the proper relationships between man and the universe, a lot of faith, and other rhythms.
I know that as someone without a belief, I may not be able to understand it; one has to have a belief to truly understand. I think Shen Yun is easier to understand for people with faith. Some of them say that Shen Yun is a passage to heaven. I believe this is from their true experience and enlightenment.
I am still absorbing and digesting Shen Yun, and it may take me longer to understand its deeper meanings. Scholars of the history of science know that George Sarton has an analogy of pyramids. He conceptualizes the bottom of the pyramid as literature, history, arts, science, and religion. They are separate parts from one another. However, when people reach the pyramid's pinnacle, they will find that these fields converge and intertwine at the very top.
As for Shen Yun, I require myself to watch it more, study it more, and think about it more. As a scholar, I do not know how high I can reach on the pyramid of my pursuit.
The miracles of Falun Gong are so many. I have so much more to say. The advancements and changes over the past two years have been simply too fast and too huge! In the face of such a significant historical phenomenon, I would like to express my feelings with a quote from Newton: “... I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”
