Falun Gong far cry from principles of religion

LEADERS of China's religious circles, indignant that the Falun Dafa deceived the public under the guise of religion, are condemning the illegal cult.

Min Zhiting, chairman of the China Taoism Association, said what Li Hongzhi advocates is a far cry from religion.

"The Falun Gong has blasphemed and hurt Chinese religions and their followers," said Min.

Min noted that although Li's Falun Gong is said to have Taoist elements, by lying about his experience and spreading doomsday theories, Li has actually proven that Falun Gong runs counter to Taoist beliefs.

"The five major religions in China all advocate truthfulness, benevolence and beauty," said Bishop Fu Tieshan of the Beijing Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church. "The three are meant to safeguard the dignity of law, social stability, national unity and the country's unification."

Fu's words were repeated by Muhamad Saleh, vice-chairman of China Islamic Association, who said that his religion firmly opposes and prohibits any action that harms the public's interests and hinders social development.

Representatives of the nation's monks and lamas yesterday held a forum in Beijing, disclosing Falun Gong's fallacies.

The general public's surface understanding of Buddhism has provided Li with chances to spread Falun Gong, which has borrowed terminology from Buddhism and claims to belong to Buddhism, said Master Chuanyin.

"Even though it contains Buddhist terminologies, Falun Gong is different from Buddhism in nature," said Master Juexing.

One of the doctrines of Buddhism is to benefit the people, he said. But Li, through spreading superstition, has done just the opposite.

Li, by saying that he is more powerful than Sakyamuni, has testified that he is not a true believer of Buddhism, said the Sixth Vjam Living Buddha in a written speech.

The participants of the forum all highlighted the significance of the ban, lauding it as "having removed a cancer from society."

(China Daily 08/03/99)