Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual practice that combines meditation and qigong exercises with a moral philosophy centered on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Li Hongzhi founded this Falun Dafa in China during the early 1990s. The practice involves four standing exercises and one sitting meditation, which aim to improve physical health and spiritual well-being.
Falun Dafa quickly gained popularity in China, with millions of people practicing by the late 1990s. However, its rapid growth and organizational capacity raised concerns within the Chinese government, leading to a crackdown in 1999. The Chinese Communist Party launched a campaign to eradicate the practice, citing it as a “heretical organization” that threatened social stability. This crackdown has involved widespread human rights abuses, including arrests, torture, and a campaign of propaganda against the practice.
Outside of China, Falun Dafa has continued to spread and now has practitioners worldwide. People often practice Falun Dafa in parks and public spaces in cities around the globe. The movement has also established media outlets and advocacy groups to raise awareness about the persecution in China and to promote its principles internationally.
Li Hongzhi’s main works, especially “Zhuan Falun,” detail Falun Dafa’s teachings, outlining its principles and beliefs. Despite facing significant opposition from the Chinese government, international human rights organizations and advocates of religious freedom and human rights have shown support for Falun Dafa.
Visit official website here for more details about Falun Dafa.
