"Suicides"

In 1996, during Mr. Li Hongzhi's first lecture in the United States, a student asked: "If a person commits suicide, does it count as a sin or not?" Mr. Li answered, "It counts as a sin." This answer only reinforced previous teachings contained in the main book of Falun Gong, Zhuan Falun, where it is stated, "The issue of killing is very sensitive. For practitioners, we have set the strict requirement that they cannot kill lives."

In spite of the clarity with which this issue has been addressed in the teachings, Jiang Zemin and the Chinese Communist Party have attempted to convince the world that practicing Falun Gong could predispose one to commit suicide. This is nothing more than a transparent attempt to associate Falun Gong, an upright and honorable spiritual practice with roots deep in ancient Chinese culture, with such groups as the Jim Jones cult, which was responsible for mass suicide some years back. So the Jiang regime scoured the nation for any reports of anyone who had committed suicide that was even remotely associated with Falun Gong and tried to make the case that they did so because of the practice. Out of the 70 to 100 million practicing Falun Gong in China, is it possible that a few might have committed suicide? We are not aware of any specific cases, but it is not outside the realm of possibility. Anyone can take up the practice of Falun Gong; there are no membership requirements, and no screening of would-be adherents takes place. Anyone who has the wish to cultivate and elevate his or her heart and mind is welcome at any practice site. The truth, which has been amply demonstrated through the testimonials of practitioners around the world, is that through the practice of Falun Gong, untold thousands of suffering people who were ill and depressed and at risk of committing suicide were healed, both physically and mentally, and went on to live happy and productive lives.