Falun Gong Cult
Religion is a critical factor of life since it allows people to identify with particular religious community. Like any other community, religion consists of a set of beliefs, practices, and rituals that are followed by a particular group of people. The dominant religious groups which were established from the colonial period include Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam among others (Livingstone 89). In recent research in the United States, Christianity has been declining because of the emergence of new religious beliefs such as Thevadara Buddhism, Hare Krishna, Sufism, and Falun Gong among others. Analyzing the Falun Gong cult; its beliefs, practices, origin, and scriptures will Help in understanding its relationship with American society.
Falun Gong started in North-east China in 1992 as a religious movement. The name Falun Gong means “Dharma Wheel Practice” which refers to a set of meditation and stretching exercises (Zhao 209). The cult was founded by a charismatic leader known as Master Li Hongzhi. The spiritual belief later spread to Chinatowns in Western countries. The religious community was voluntary since it had distinctive features that did not reflect the practices of other religions. It aimed at concentrating the vital energy of the body to create unity of physical and spiritual healing. The cult incorporated a Chinese practice called qigong which is characterized by controlled breathing and slow body movements. Also, it contains some Taoism and Buddhism since Master Li had been involved with these religious before founding Falun Gong.
Practitioners of Falun Gong had various beliefs, rituals, and practices. They believe that the physical exercises and moral cultivation during the meditation brings health benefits to the body. The traditional Chinese believed in ancient healing and so they never allowed the use of medicine (“What is Falun Gong?”). In fact, they criticized modern science and perceived traditional science as a compelling knowledge method. Therefore, the faith-healing by physical exercise is derived from qigong. Additionally, they believe in supernatural powers of healing terminal illnesses, levitation, and psychic power. Moreover, they believed that the universe had a corrupt nature and thus they were not supposed to associate with it. They even predicted its forthcoming end since they believed that they had the power to see the future with a “third eye”.
The cult does not have a defined sacred place of performing their practice. Most of the practitioners perform the rituals on the streets and public parks. Falun Gong is itself a practice; therefore, the slow body movements and meditations are the main spiritual practices (“Falun Gong: Beliefs and Demographics”). Equally, they suppose the exercises to be sacred commitments such as those of a nun or a monk which brings spiritual elevation. With dedication to these exercises which are driven by moral self, one is guaranteed to receive salvation. The cult does not have a hierarchy of religious leadership or a place of worship; therefore no specific rituals are associated with it.
Falun Gong practitioners read the Zhuan Falun book which was a sacred text written by Master Li. It borrowed some teachings from Buddhist and Taoist religions. The sacred text, however, contained most of the lectures of Master Li had which were meant to enlighten the believers. They embraced it as a scripture since they felt that it brought eternal and transformative power to their lives. It became an item of worship and adoration in the Falun Gong religion and believers had to accompany its teachings with their practices (Livingstone 101). The main virtues which formed the background of this religious community include compassion, forbearance, and truthfulness. In order to blend with the spiritual part of the universe, the believers had to be true because the world was corrupt. They also had to acquire self-control so that they can be able to deal with the worldly things. Similarly, they ought to show compassion to others.
After its establishment in America, many people joined it after witnessing the health benefits and well being of the Chinese people who had joined earlier. American society perceived it as a new ideology of enhancing human health and mental performance. The religion was accepted by all types of people; from farmers to university professors who described it as a new science. Master Li was even invited to America to give a public lecture and train people on the physical practices associated with the belief “(Special Report: The Battle for China’s Spirit”). However, after its ban in China, the cult started receiving a negative impact from the American society and the countries at large. People started withdrawing from Falun Gong and converting to other religions since it had been termed as an “evil cult”. To date, only a few followers have been left both in the United States and in China.
Falun Gong cult presented several differences with the traditional American denominations. First, it lacked a sacred place. The believers used to do their practices at any place as long as there is silence. Contrary, the Americans denominations have physical places of worship such as churches, temples, and synagogues among others. Second, the cult believed in faith-healing and criticized modern science of medicine (Yuezhi 210). On the other hand, the traditional American Denominations believed that God is the healer but medicines are for treatment. Third, Falun Gong had no hierarchy and no religious leaders. The practitioners followed the teachings of Master Li to initiate everyday practices. In contrast to this, the American denominations have defined organizations and leaders who oversee religious events and rituals.
The mainstream society treats Falun Gong as an evil group that only interferes with the stability of the community. Most people argue that religious practices aim at controlling and manipulating the mind of an individual (Bejesky 307). From a realistic point of view, the beliefs may seem to be contradicting the spiritual understanding that people have. Doing exercises to have spiritual elevation is not relatable to believing in God and reading the scripture which is His word. The United States double standards argue that Falun Gong is a public hazard and banning it is a way of protecting people’s rights and ordinary religious liberty. Therefore, the cult does not have any staying power in the future because there will be no followers to ensure its continuity.
To conclude, religion gives a person an identity. People have the freedom to choose which religious communities to follow according to their spiritual needs. Some of the new religions which have been established in America have been controversial about their beliefs and practices. For instance, Falun Gong, which was started in China was positively received by people even in the U.S but later deemed as a threat to the public. Although it did not cause physical harm to the believers, the meditation and exercises were said to manipulate the practitioners. Consequently, this religion seems to become extinct in the future because of the decreased number of believers.
Works Cited
Bejesky, Robert. “United States Obligations under International Law and the Falun Gong V. Jiang Zemin Lawsuit: A Justified Reaction to a Threat to Public Security or Genocide? You Decide.” University of California, Davis, vol. 11, no. 295, 4 June 2005, pp. 296-342.
“Falun Gong: Beliefs and Demographics” FalunInfo, 26 Apr. 2010, faluninfo.net/falun-gong-beliefs-and-demographics/.
Livingston, James C. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion. Prentice-Hall, 2008.
“Special Report: The Battle for China’s Spirit.” Freedom House | Championing Democracy, 2017, freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FH_2017_BattleForChinasSpirit_Falun_Gong_0.pdf.
“What is Falun Gong?” The Economist, 5 Sept. 2018, www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2018/09/05/what-is-falun-gong.
Zhao, Yuezhi. “Falun Gong, Identity, and the Struggle over Meaning Inside and Outside China.” Chapter 13, pp. 209-223.

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