June 1, 2001, Friday

Letter writer Ardra Fradinger is right in arguing that the Chinese government is paranoid about any group - political or otherwise - that threatens its hegemony. ('A wolf in sheep's clothing?" May 24).

However, as a well-informed non-Chinese Falun Gong practitioner for more than a year, I can say that the writer's understanding of Falun Gong and China's treatment of practitioners is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

Falun Gong has been officially banned in China since mid-1999. Yet it is clear that the letter writer does not think that the senseless suffering and loss of so many lives in China demand that the international community act with responsibility and social conscience.

Instead of indulging in speculation or advancing conspiracy theories about Falun Gong or American interests in China, the letter writer could have accessed sources that establish the truth beyond the shadow of doubt.

Danny Schechter's book, Falun Gong's Challenge to China, follows the evolution of the movement from a relatively unknown phenomenon in China to an international force battling persecution. U.S. involvement was nonexistent in the early years.

Zhuan Falun, a core text on Falun Gong, establishes that Falun Gong is not about political aspirations. In fact, involvement in politics is stringently prohibited and is contrary to Falun Gong's teachings.

Falun Gong is practised worldwide and it is about much more than physical activities. The exercises merely complement the teachings of founder Li Hongzhi, who places overwhelming importance on the moral character of practitioners.

There is no membership registration in Falun Gong and participation is voluntary. Li Hongzhi is the only leader of Falun Gong.

However, a look at the Chinese Embassy Web site shows the depths of China's hatred of Falun Gong practitioners. And numerous articles were published in the Citizen earlier this year in connection with the release of professor KunLun Zhang and others from China's notorious labour camps. Falun Gong is a liberating experience that captures the essence of spirituality on the road to creating a better society. And yes, that is immensely threatening to the Chinese government's endless campaign of terror and brutality.

Sharda Vaidyanath, Gloucester