Thoughts After Studying Master Li’s Recent Article: “Our Practice and the Term “Religion””

(Minghui.org) After reading Master’s new article, “Our Practice and the Term “Religion”,” I searched online for the English definition of the term “religion.” I discovered that this word originated from French or Latin, and referred to “obligation, bond, reverence,” and life under monastic vows. I understood these definitions to indicate that following a particular religion required living one’s life according to their doctrines.

As Falun Gong practitioners we live our lives according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and we respect our Master and his teachings of the Great Law (Dafa). So in a way, our spiritual practice aligns with the earliest definition of the term religion. The difference is that we do not have religious organizations, churches, or temples, and we cultivate ourselves in everyday society. Our spiritual path is one that follows “The great way has no form.”

Then, how did the phrase “zong jiao” (religion) in Chinese come into use? At the very beginning, in ancient China, it referred to a form of the clan-law system (based in filial obedience and loyalty) for moral guidance. According to wikipedia, “zong jiao” was translated as “religion” in a treaty between Japan and Germany in the 19th century, and its use later spread throughout China.

With the transformation of Western religions (as well as some Eastern religions), the connotation of religious practice became more limited, and the tendency of people to focus on forms, protocols, and rituals, became a way of life in society. When talking about religion, people would think of churches, temples, forms of worship, prayer, chanting, becoming monks, and other ceremonial forms. Due to the dramatic changes that occurred in modern religions and the Chinese Communist Party promotion of atheism to their citizens, the word “religion” in China took on a rather negative meaning in people’s minds.

Some people may perceive Falun Gong as a religion, but as cultivators, we all understand that our practice is a cultivation of mind and body based on the universal principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. We conform to everyday life as much as possible, while cultivating ourselves. We do not become monks or nuns, or live in temples or monasteries, and we focus on cultivating our hearts and moral character. The entirety of society, including our family environments and our workplaces, is our practice site, and such cultivation enables us to accomplish our historical missions to the greatest extent possible.