History of Falun Gong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Falun Gong, also known as Fălún Dàfă (法轮大法), was introduced to the public by Li Hongzhi on May 13, 1992, in Changchun, China. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced the practice to other countries. Since then, Falun Gong has been voluntarily promoted by practitioners themselves. In 2001, the People's Republic of China declared it illegal and began a nationwide crackdown.
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[edit] Timeline
[edit] 1992-1994
Falun Dafa is introduced on May 13, 1992 at the fifth Middle school in Changchun City, China. From 1992 to 1994, on receiving invitations from State Qi Gong Organizations in each Area, Li Hongzhi travels all over China, giving more than 54 lecture series and teaching the Falun Gong exercises.
As practitioners started spreading the system, Li Hongzhi stipulated that promoting the Falun Gong could never be done for fame and money, practitioners must not accept any fee, donation or gift in return of their voluntary promotion of the practice.[1]
[edit] 1995-1998
On January 4th 1995, the book Zhuan Falun is published.
Li Hongzhi accepts invitations from practitions in the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Canada and France to teach the system. The teachings of Falun Dafa are translated to several languages.
According to the New York Times, by 1998 the Chinese government estimates there are at least 70 million practitioners in mainland China.[2][3]
[edit] 2002-2006
Practitioners and human rights groups set up human rights organizations endeavouring to bring an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. These include Friends of Falun Gong and WOIPFG. Falun Gong websites like Falun Dafa Information Center and Clearwisdom.net endeavour to reveal details of the persecution.
Falun Gong practitioners are present in more than 80 countries and the books have been translated to over 40 languages.
[edit] References
- ^ Hongzhi, Li. The Third Talk:How Falun Dafa Students Should Spread the Practice, Zhuan Falun: Turning the Law Wheel (English Version) Draft Translation Edition (Feb. 2003, North America), retrieved June 14, 2006
- ^ Faison, Seth (April 27, 1999) "In Beijing: A Roar of Silent Protesters" New York Times, retrieved June 10, 2006
- ^ Kahn, Joseph (April 27, 1999) "Notoriety Now for Exiled Leader of Chinese Movement" New York Times, retrieved June 14, 2006
