FALUN GONG A peaceful way of life

It’s not a religion. It’s not a school of philosophy. It’s just a peaceful way of life which over 100 million practitioners all over the world have adopted since it was first introduced in China in 1992.

“When I first heard of Falun Gong, I just ignored it because I thought it was just another religion. Then, I read a book about it which made me learn things that I’ve never heard from any religion or from any teacher before. It tells us why we’re here on earth; what our goals are,” says Han Chen, who has been practicing Falun Gong for three months.

Falun Gong, originally founded by Li Hong Zhi, was established on Buddha Law that cultivates “truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance.”

Every Sunday morning, Falun Gong practitioners on Saipan meditate at the American Memorial Park. This mediation process was introduced on Saipan in April last year and has since attracted 100 regular members including Chinese nationals, Americans, a Korean and a Filipino.

“We offer this lesson for free. We don’t charge any amount,” says Leung Yic, one of the founders on Saipan.

Falun Gong, (also called Falun Dafa), is “a powerful exercise of mind and body based on the essential nature of the universe,” according to the practitioners.

“Falun Gong is healer. This exercise is good not only for the body but also for the mind and spirit,” says Leung.

According to the Book of Falun Gong, “practitioners can not only rapidly strengthen energy potency and supernatural capabilities, but also evolve an incomparably powerful Falun in a very short period of time.”

Falun Gong involves hands exercise intended to stretch and open up all channels of the body.

“When doing the exercise the practitioner feels his body warm and sense the existence of a very strong energy field. This is because all the channels of the body are being widened and unblocked,” according to the Book of Falun Gong.

“This practice denounces power and money. Our goal is to become better persons,” says Chen.

Falun Gong has gained popularity in the United States where exotic ideas and practices are most welcomed. Houston has granted Falun Gong leader Li Hong Zhi honorary citizenship. The mayors of District of Columbia, Baltimore, and New Jersey have proclaimed Aug. 13 as “Li Hong Zhi Day.”

Back home in China, however, the communist government outlawed Falun Gong, dubbing the group as a political threat. Chinese authorities, who describe Falun Gong as a “cult”, have launched a witchhunt on its members. Over 100 practitioners have already been thrown behind bars.

But Falun Gong practitioners on Saipan are unperturbed.

“We’re not afraid to go back to China. We’re not afraid to die,” says Chen.

“We’ll go back to China someday,” says Leung. “.Since I started practicing Falun Gong, I’ve lost my fears. I’m not afraid of anything anymore.” (MCM)