Introduction to Falun Gong (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa), founded by Mr. Li Hongzhi, is a high-level cultivation practice guided by the characteristics of the universe--Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance. Falun Dafa enables its practitioners to improve and elevate spiritually, while having a valuable positive impact on society and improving people's physical health and morality.

I. Introduction

When one starts to practice Falun Gong, that means he starts to cultivate himself. "Cultivation" has two components - "cultivation" of one's xinxing [mind-nature, or character] and "practice," which refers to doing the exercises.

1. Studying the Fa

The main book of Falun Dafa is Zhuan Falun. It clearly outlines all the principles from the beginning of cultivation until the achievement of consummation. As long as practitioners read Zhuan Falun repeatedly and continually, their xinxing will improve and they will gradually enlighten to the deeper, profound, meaning of cultivation.

The main book Zhuan Falun by Mr. Li Hongzhi

Falun Gong practitioners usually refer to the study of Falun Dafa texts as "studying the Fa."

There are two things that we need to pay attention to: First, we need to read Zhuan Falun as a whole. We should read the book chapters in order, without skipping around or reading some parts and not others. Secondly, when reading the Fa, we cannot be pursuing anything. Only when we clear our minds and read thoroughly and repeatedly can we "gain without pursuit."

Many practitioners have had the same experience: the questions they had when reading one chapter will be answered in the following chapters. The questions they had when they read the book for the first time will be answered when they read the book for the second time. If they continue to read, they will have new questions. But those questions will be answered when they read further. This is almost always the case.

For a free download of Zhuan Falun, go to: http://www.falundafa.org/eng/books.html

2. Practicing the exercises

New practitioners in the US learn the practice of Falun Gong in a park

Falun Dafa cultivates both the mind and the body; therefore, practicing the exercises is required. There are five sets of exercises. The book The Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa by Mr. Li Hongzhi gives clear explanations of the characteristics of Falun Dafa, illustrations of the five sets of exercises and the mechanisms of the movements. It also has four appendixes:

Appendix I. What is Expected of Falun Dafa Assistance Centers
Appendix II. Regulations for Falun Dafa Disciples in Spreading Dafa and Teaching the Exercises
Appendix III. The Standards for Falun Dafa Assistants
Appendix IV. Notification for Practitioners of Falun Dafa

For free downloading online: http://www.falundafa.org/eng/books.html

For purchasing the books, please go to Tian Ti bookstore: http://www.tiantibooks.org/dafabooks/

II. How to start

The best way to start is to clear your mind and read the book Zhuan Falun from beginning to end, or attend the "nine day video class" held by Falun Gong practitioners. Watch the Fa lecture videos by Teacher Li Hongzhi in sequence (The same benefit can be achieved by listening to the Fa lecture recordings). After watching one lecture, you can learn one set of exercise.

Zhuan Falun contains Lun Yu and nine lectures. The Fa lecture videos/recordings are also composed of nine lectures.

There are practice sites all over the world (especially in big cities) established by Falun Gong practitioners. You can find the closest practice site at http://www.falundafa.org/eng/contacts/area/index.html and inquire if there is a "nine day video class." In class, one lecture is usually played one day followed by teaching the exercises. After attending the nine-day class, you will be able to listen to all the lectures and learn all five sets of exercises. You can then start practicing on your own.

For those who cannot attend a "nine-day class," you can read Zhuan Falun by yourself and go to the practice site to learn the exercises. There are many advantages to joining group practice. One is that you can learn the exercises faster. Secondly, someone can correct your movements, if necessary. Thirdly, it will be easier to overcome difficulties with some support from other practitioners.

If you cannot find a practice site, you can learn the exercises by watching the online video that teaches the exercises. http://www.falundafa.org/bul/audio-video/audiovideo.html Learn the five sets of exercises in sequence and follow the music when doing the exercises.

Beginners need to know that all activities of Falun Dafa are provided by Falun Gong practitioners voluntarily and are completely free of charge. These include video classes, teaching the exercises, experience sharing conferences, etc. In order to safeguard the purity of cultivation, these activities are all free of charge. If someone wants to charge you for these, they are not true practitioners. Please avoid them.

All Falun Dafa books & articles and audio & video materials are available for free download at http://www.falundafa.org/eng/home.html

For experience sharing and other articles, please visit http://www.clearwisdom.net/.