(Minghui.org) Falun Gong is a peaceful meditation system based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Jiang Zemin, former leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), launched a nationwide campaign against the practice in July 1999. He vowed to eradicate Falun Gong in three months, and didn’t believe that the CCP could not defeat Falun Gong.
Jiang’s confidence in crushing Falun Gong came from the CCP’s track record of cracking down on any group deemed a threat to its rule in the numerous political campaigns since it took power in 1949.
Twenty-three years have passed since the persecution began, and Falun Gong is still standing strong and thriving. Jiang, who died recently on November 30, not only failed to eliminate Falun Gong, but also faced numerous lawsuits against him for launching the persecution.
Falun Gong has no political agenda and its practitioners simply want to live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and become better citizens. Their firm faith in Falun Gong helps explain why 23 years of atrocities against them have failed to make them waver. Their persecution has enabled more people to understand the CCP’s vicious nature.
Well Received in Over 100 Countries
After Falun Gong was introduced to the public in 1992, it quickly drew a multitude of students, due to its profound principles and miraculous health benefits. When the CCP began to suppress the practice in 1999, there were already about 100 million practitioners in China.
Falun Gong is now practiced in over 100 countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. From Rovaniemi of Finland in the Arctic Circle to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, from Saipan in the Western Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic coast at Long Island, Falun Gong has attracted people from every corner of the world.
Despite the brutal persecution in mainland China, Falun Gong is well embraced in Taiwan, where there are people from all walks of life who are practicing. As of late September 2022, there were 676 practice sites in Taiwan, among which 95 are in Taipei.
One Book in 50 Languages
Zhuan Falun, the main teachings of Falun Gong, was published in Beijing in late 1994. It has since been translated into 50 languages, and is available for free download at FalunDafa.org.
Following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Falun Gong practitioners, young or old, are responsible members of society wherever they are. They are loving parents, filial children, hardworking students, accomplished employees, and caring neighbors in communities.
Across continents, many practitioners reported seeing their incurable illnesses healed, bad habits (such as drinking, smoking, gambling, and hot tempers) gone, and families becoming more harmonious.
Large Number of Awards
Falun Gong practitioners come from all walks of life and all age groups. Some elderly practitioners were illiterate but learned to read through studying Zhuan Falun. From grade school students to college students, many are practicing Falun Gong. Practitioners also include highly accomplished professionals, such as those who hold terminal degrees (Ph.D or M.D.) in their fields. Some practitioners had practiced in other religious systems for decades before starting to practice Falun Gong.
Because of Falun Gong’s tremendous benefits on mind and body, Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of the practice, has received over 5,000 proclamations and awards from various countries over the years. Many governments and local officials have celebrated “World Falun Dafa Day (May 13),” “Falun Dafa Week,” or “Falun Dafa month” to commend Falun Gong on its enormous contributions to the communities.
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf awarded telecom entrepreneur Vasilios Zouponidis the Business Pioneer of the Year award during a ceremony in Stockholm in October 2011. The award highlighted good examples and role models among immigrants to Sweden. Zouponidis said the King knew he was a Falun Gong practitioner, as did the review committee.
Wu Qinghzong, a farmer of Yilan County in Taiwan, gained wisdom through the practice of Falun Gong. He later received many prizes such as Most Outstanding Farmer Award, Centennial Innovative Agricultural Management Award, Professional Outstanding Farmer Award, and others.
Mr. Li Hongzhi’s great contributions also received broad recognition and praise from people across countries, political parties, languages, ethnic groups, and cultures, as well as social backgrounds. He was nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Li also received the International Religious Freedom Award from Freedom House in 2001, and was named as one of the Top 100 Living Geniuses 2008 from Creators Synectics. Additionally, he was awarded as an Outstanding Spiritual Leader by the Asia-Pacific Human Rights foundation in 2009.
Spreading the Blessings
Having benefited from Falun Gong, practitioners are always happy to share their stories with family members, relatives, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
After the CCP started the persecution in 1999, Falun Gong practitioners worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the severe human rights violations against them. To that end, practitioners outside of China have established news media, produced films, and held various activities such as peace rallies, parades, candlelight vigils, group exercises, signature collection, posters, anti-torture exhibitions, Tian Guo Marching Band performances, waist drum performances, the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) International Exhibition, and many more.
In particular, practitioners in London have persisted in holding an around-the-clock peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy for 20 years. A tour guide booklet about London specifically mentions the protest. For many Londoners, the protest has become a landmark showcasing Falun Gong’s peaceful efforts against brutality.
One day when practitioners were organizing the posters in front of the Chinese Embassy, one young cyclist stopped and asked why no one was meditating there [the daily protest usually had practitioners sitting in meditation]. “If the persecution has ended, please let me know and I will share the good news with my friends,” he said. “Otherwise, I can stay here for a while to continue the effort before someone can replace me...”
Falun Gong and the principles of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance represent traditional values that our society needs. By suppressing such universal values, Jiang and the CCP are doomed before the next chapter of human history arrives.
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Category: Perspective
