Head of China's Buddhist Association Refutes Falun Gong

Zhao Puchu, head of the Buddhist Association of China, said here today that he firmly supports the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to crack down on the illegal Falun Gong.

Zhao, also vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said in a hospital that it is highly necessary for the party to get rid of this "big disaster" for the people and remove this "big cancer" for the society.

He said that Falun Gong deceives its followers by misusing Buddhist terminology.

He said that the publications of his association and some other Buddhist magazines in other parts of the country have criticized Falun Gong's fallacies in the past few years, and the articles were attacked by Falun Gong devotees, headed by Li Hongzhi, and some other illegal organizations.

During a symposium held by the association last year, the participants said Falun Gong runs counter to Buddhism and the Communist Party of China's policy of freedom of religious belief.

Zhao stressed the importance of promoting cultural and ethical progress in the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He urged the strengthening of science education and improvement of the quality of all the people.

He called on religious circles to pay attention to self- building and unite with people from other walks of life, in an effort to help maintain social stability and soundly push forward the socialist cause into next century.

(China daily 1999/08/01)