| Falun Dafa (Falun Gong)
History/Founder:
Founded
in 1992 in China by Li Hongzhi as Falun Dafa, the Falun Gong are already
numbered in the millions. Falun Gong means "Practice of the wheel,"
referring to the Buddhist wheel of Dharma. Followers of Hongzhi practice
Chi-gong (literally, "life-energy"), a practice that includes
a practice similar to Tai Chi exercise, healthful living, and other
elements of traditional Chinese spiritual practice.
Current
leader/governing body: None, although organized groups have staged peaceful
protests in China. Most of Falun Dafa's activist members have been imprisoned,
along with hundreds of thousands of followers.
Number
of Adherents: Between eighty
and one hundred million, mainly in China. Clergy:
None.
Requirements
to join: None, Falun Dafa is available to anyone.
Church/temple: None.
Scripture: The Zhuan Falun, and other writings by Li, are
considered helpful but not neccessary.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: Killing
and jealousy are forbidden,
and meat eating is discouraged (but allowed).
Code
of Conduct: Varies.
Basic
teachings and Beliefs of Falun:
Li,
Known as Master Li, teaches followers that practicing Falun Gong leads
to spiritual transcendence. The Falun, or wheel, is believed to have a
physical presence in the body, in the navel, giving off and absorbing
energy. The five exercises practiced by adherents are meant to strengthen
the Falun. Falun is not meant to be a religion, according to Li, but a
practice complimentary to religious practice. Symbols: The Falun
Gong symbol is a glyph consisting of a rotating manji
(swastika) surrounded by four smaller manji and four yin-yang
symbols, symbolizing energy forces in the universe.
For more information on this and other symbols, please see Religious
symbols.
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