Religious groups back ban of Falun Gong

THE ban on the Falun Gong has gained support from religious followers in both the mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

During a forum held yesterday in Beijing, Master Jinghui, vice-chairman of the China Buddhism Association, said that the Falun Dafa has borrowed a large number of names and jargon from Buddhism and Taoism and misinterpreted the Buddhist doctrine at will.

It has even slandered and belittled Buddhism, he added.

Li Hongzhi, the founder of the Falun Gong, has claimed that the Falun Gong is a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism.

"Judging from what Li advocates and what his organization has done, the Falun Gong is a far cry from Buddhism and is detrimental to Buddhism," said Master Jinghui.

Li has cast himself as the "highest Buddha" who has transcended all secular desires. Li said that by practicing the Falun Gong, people can be helped by the Falun and achieve immorality.

"Li wants nothing but to make a god, a living Buddha out of himself," said Zhang Jiyu, vice-chairman of the China Taoism Association. "The government's ban of the Falun Gong, which is in accordance with laws, has safeguard the interests of the religious circle as well as maintained social stability," said Zhang.

Buddhism and Taoism are among the five most influential religions in China. The country now has about 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, and more than 25,000 Taoist monks and nuns.

While in Hong Kong, a Protestant church organization in Hong Kong yesterday issued a six-page report on the outlawed Falun Gong or Falun Dafa, lambasting the group as a "staunch, highly-organized" sect which serves nothing more than hoodwinking followers to the depravation of their bodies and minds by the founder's false teachings.

Teng-Cheung Kai-yum, president of the Hong Kong Christian Ministry Institute (HKCMI) yesterday told China Daily that the church supports the central government's ban on what she described as a "new cult" which does not belong to any institutionalized religion, neither Buddhism or Taoism.

Teng-Cheung also criticized Li's absurd and atrocious teaching and threats as nonsense, especially his explanations that many of his followers had died over the years because the evil spirit would not forgive them for altering his doctrines or qigong exercises.

In another development, Xinhua reported that a total of 59 cases of Falun Gong related injuries and death have been reported in Northeast China's Jilin Province, where Falun Gong originated.

A preliminary investigation has found that at least six people killed themselves after practicing Falun Gong.

(China Daily 07/27/99)