The leader of Buddhism believers in Shanghai has sharply denounced Li Hongzhi, saying that the creator of the Falun Gong cult has interpolated the creed of Buddhism viciously for his own villainous purpose.

Jue Xing, vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of Shanghai and an abbot in charge of the Shanghai-based Yufo Temple, said Li has tricked the people by misusing some terms and theories of Buddhism.
What Li has advocated is totally contrary to the belief and doctrine of Buddhism, the religious leader said.

He pointed out that Li illogically and immorally introduced various Buddhist terms to his heresy, distorting their original meaning to fool his committed followers and adherents. Li purposely misled the zealous Falun Gong followers, some of whom are so helplessly obsessed about the cult and finally went to extremes as abetted by Li.

Li beguiled many Falun Gong addicts into believing that practicing Falun Gong can cure any disease and prohibited them from taking medicine or seeing doctors when ill, which fully exposes Falun Gong's anti-mankind, anti-society, anti-science anti- humanity and anti-religion nature, noted Jue Xing.

The religious leader called on all believers of Buddhism in the country to fight against Li and his evil Falun Gong cult to safeguard the sanctity of Buddhism.

As religious believers, Buddhists in the country should resolutely battle against the Falun Gong cult and help the victims to discard the evil cult, he said, adding that China's Buddhist circles should also intensify self-discipline and standardize religious activities.

(Eastday.com 02/16/2001)