The People's Daily, the leading newspaper in China, will publish a commentary Saturday headlined "'Nirvana' Means Slaughter" to condemn the Falun Gong cult.

The fact that a 25-year-old Falun Gong practitioner set himself ablaze and died at mid-day Friday in western Beijing constitutes another blood debt owed by Falun Gong and the cult's ringleader Li Hongzhi, the commentary says.

The suicide has once again shown that Li Hongzhi's instigation of Falun Gong followers "not to be afraid of dying in order to achieve 'nirvana'" is absolute heresy that violates human rights and actually is leading to cruel deaths, the commentary notes.

"Self-immolation by burning oneself is one of the most notorious characteristics of the evil cults," the commentary states, adding that Li has concocted a trap for his followers in asking them to reach "nirvana" or to attain their fulfillment through suicide.

The evil essence of the Falun Gong cult is revealed when cult members set themselves on fire to reach nirvana, and "'Nirvana' is slaughter," it says.

Given the outcome of the cult's teachings, "'Nirvana' means to destroy oneself and his or her family, 'going to the heaven' means to ruin valuable life," it adds.

The article urges those who continue to believe in Falun Gong to wake up and rid themselves of the evil cult influence as soon as possible so as to return to normal life.

"Cherish your life and don't be victims of Falun Gong any longer," the article tells Falun Gong practitioners.

(Xinhuanet 02/16/2001)