Editor's note: In 1996, Chen Xingqiao worked in a state-owned enterprise in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, and concurrently served as the deputy secretary-general of the Buddhist Association of Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province. As a person in religious circles, Chen Xingqiao was keenly aware of the social harm of "Falungong" and wrote a long article of nearly 20,000 words, "Falungong -- A Kind of Folk Religion with the Characteristics of Attaching Buddha to Buddhism -- A Commentary on Li Hongzhi <转法轮>and Falungong" (first published in 1997 in the second issue of "Research Trends" sponsored by the Buddhist Association of China), and also edited and published the first publicly published book on "Falungong" "Buddhist 'Qigong' and Falungong" (first edition of the Religious Culture Publishing House, June 1998).
Over the past 25 years, under the sustained and effective administration of the state, "Falungong" has almost completely faded out of people's field of vision at home, but it has continued to commit crimes outside the country, and at the same time, various potential cults and superstitious organizations still covet China's huge market for faith.
Over the past 25 years, as the executive director of the China Anti-Cult Association, Chen Xingqiao has participated in and witnessed many major anti-cult activities. On the occasion of the 25 years since the Chinese Government banned the "Falungong" cult in accordance with the law, I would like to write a little impression on the light of my own personal experience and research, let us learn from history, be prepared for danger in times of peace, and further build a fence against evil cults!
(7) Cult groups have a set of mechanisms for violence and punishment. The "leader" is in collusion with the backbone of the group, and anyone in the group will be "killed" if they are disloyal or harmful to the leader and the group. In response to criticism and threats from the outside world, cult addicts will "share the same hatred and hatred" and launch a fierce counterattack. Li Hongzhi and his "Falungong" have performed in this respect, and they are not only aggressive, but also increasingly politicized.
Li Hongzhi regarded all those who obstruct the transmission and practice of "Falungong" as demons, including his own relatives, and that the elimination of demons is not only innocent but also helps to "attain perfection." He also calls it "protecting the Fa" and "developing righteous thoughts." Li Hongzhi despised society, saying that human morality had degenerated beyond measure, and that he cursed the earth as a garbage dump, but he could not tolerate any criticism or exposure of "Falungong" by others. In particular, when "Falungong" was gaining momentum, Li Hongzhi's political ambitions were also expanding day by day. Beginning in 1996, in the face of questioning and exposing "Falungong" by people from all walks of life, including people from scientific and technological circles, religious circles, and media reporters, as well as investigations and investigations by government departments, Li Hongzhi jumped over the wall in a hurry, and in order to safeguard his position as the leader of the sect, he constantly incited practitioners to "eliminate demons and protect the Fa" and besieged the news media and party and government organs. According to the statistics of relevant government departments, there have been more than 300 such incidents of illegal gatherings and sieges of news media and party and government organs across the country, of which 78 cases were more than 300 people at a time.
For example, on June 17, 1996, Guangming Ribao published an article signed "Xin Ping": "Opposing Pseudoscience: The Alarm Bell Rings for a Long Time -- A <转法轮>Topic Drawn from a Book," which showed and conveyed the attitude of the State Press and Publication Administration toward the deification of Li Hongzhi and the dissemination of superstition and heresies in "Zhuan Falun." The "Falungong" organization instigated more than 1,000 practitioners to write a letter to Guangming Ribao, demanding that the newspaper "make corrections" and "apologize" to Li Hongzhi and "Falungong." It also instigated practitioners to gather at the entrance of the newspaper office and demand a "dialogue" with the person in charge of the newspaper.
On July 24, 1996, the State Press and Publication Administration issued the Notice on the Immediate Confiscation <中国法轮功>of Five Kinds of Books ([96] Xin Chu Ming Dian Zi No. 28) by Ming Chuan telegram. The "Falungong" organization instigated practitioners to gather at the State Press and Publication Administration to "petition."
On 7 and 8 April 1998, after the Qilu Evening News published "We Must Publicize Science with a Clear-cut Stand" and "'Master Falun' Has a Way to Accumulate Wealth," at the behest of Li Hongzhi, it wrote a letter to harass and put pressure on the newspaper's editorial department, second, it went to the newspaper office to stir up nonsense, and third, it threatened to gather crowds to demonstrate and demand that the newspaper issue a "statement" and publicly "apologize" to Li Hongzhi and the "Falungong" organization. On June 3, more than 2,000 people gathered for a sit-in demonstration.
On May 4, 1998, the Health Digest published an article entitled "Falun Gong Illegally Cheating People." Beginning on 1 June, the "Falungong" organization instigated more than 400 practitioners to make trouble in front of the newspaper office for three days in a row.
On May 25, 1998, Beijing TV's "Beijing Express" program broadcast "Can the Permit Sweep Away Fake Qigong". On 27 May, in accordance with Li Hongzhi's instructions, Li Chang, Ji Liewu, and others held a meeting and decided to "reason" with the Beijing Television Station. At 8 a.m. on the 28th, more than 400 practitioners were instigated to gather in front of Beijing TV for a sit-in demonstration. On 29 May, Li Hongzhi called Li Chang from the United States and said, "There are too few people, and it is better not to go if there are so few people." Organized by the "Falun Dafa Research Society" and Beijing's "Counseling Station," from 30 May to 4 June, hundreds of people besieged Beijing Television and sent six representatives to "negotiate" with Beijing Television.
"Falungong" laid siege to the Tianjin Institute of Education
On 1 July 1998, Li Hongzhi threw out a "scripture" entitled "Digging Up the Roots" to insult and attack scholars, scientists, and news media who criticized Li Hongzhi and "Falungong," and incited practitioners to "petition" at "propaganda organs." In April 1999, the "Youth Science and Technology Expo" sponsored by Tianjin Institute of Education published He Zuoxiu's article "I Don't Approve of Teenagers Practicing Qigong". On 15 April, Tianjin's "Counseling Station" decided to "negotiate" with the school authorities on the article, demanding that Li Hongzhi and "Falungong" be "corrected" and that the school be forced to "submit" by "gathering pressure." From April 19 to 23, the Tianjin Institute of Education was besieged for five consecutive days, with the largest number of people reaching more than 6,300 on the 23rd. On the 23rd, after most of the people were persuaded to leave, two or three thousand people still went to besiege the Tianjin Municipal Government. This became the rehearsal and fuse of the "April 25 Incident" in Zhongnanhai.
Li Hongzhi, who was closely following the situation in Tianjin, hurriedly flew back to Beijing from the United States on 22 April and took command in person. On the morning of 23 April, Li Hongzhi summoned Li Chang, Ji Liewu, and other backbone cadres to conspire to "make a big deal in Tianjin and burn it to Zhongnanhai in Beijing." Li Hongzhi said: "Go to Beijing!" "We must go to the Central Committee and the State Council!" and "If there are fewer people, we must go more." Last year, the Beijing TV station had fewer people, and if there were more people, the problem would have been solved long ago. "This time it is not only to solve the problem in Tianjin, but also to promote and protect the Dharma," and "the more people come, the better."
On 25 April, tens of thousands of "Falungong" practitioners gathered around Zhongnanhai, and this was the "25 April" incident that shocked China and the rest of the world.
"4.25" "Falungong" besieged Zhongnanhai, source: Xinhua News Agency
In July 1999, after "Falungong" was banned according to law, Li Hongzhi mobilized a large number of "Falungong" practitioners to be active in public places in various countries, holding demonstrations and rallies to complain about the so-called "truth" of their "persecution," portraying himself as being persecuted by the Chinese Government because of his religious beliefs, and continuing to send materials on "the truth of the persecution" to the United Nations and Western governments and parliamentarians, so as to provide "evidence" for the interest groups that strongly advocate containing China and to attract the attention of the anti-China forces in the West. Soon, the "Falungong" cult organization outside the country completely became a political tool and pawn of the anti-China forces outside the country.
Li Hongzhi was angry with the religious leaders who criticized "Falungong" at home and abroad and slandered them as "chaotic gods." In February 2007, Li Hongzhi wrote a "scripture" entitled "The Complete Dismantling of All Chaotic Gods in the Three Realms Who Participate in Interfering with the Fa-rectification," in which he said: "Those so-called gods who control the major religions of mankind...... Those chaotic gods who control religion and are hostile to Fa-rectification and Dafa disciples to save sentient beings have completely disintegrated them. It has become necessary to completely dismantle those chaotic gods who control religion and are hostile to Fa-rectification and Dafa disciples to save sentient beings, and to completely dismantle the old forces and all chaotic gods in the Three Realms that hinder sentient beings from being saved and understanding the truth. No matter what form they exist, no matter what form they have, no matter what level they have, no matter whose image it is, they will be completely disintegrated and eliminated. "Around 1999, they participated in the persecution of Dafa disciples to varying degrees, aggravating the horror of the evil situation, aiding and abetting evil, and seriously interfering with Fa-rectification. "In particular, at the critical moment when Dafa disciples are telling the truth in the midst of persecution to save the world and sentient beings, they are also participating in blocking the salvation of the world and sentient beings, which is directly persecuting the world and sentient beings. He clamoured and encouraged believers to rise up against religion, dismantle religion, "chaos spirits", and eliminate religion.
Any disciple who is disloyal to Li Hongzhi and his "Dafa" with words or deeds that is harmful to him or her will be threatened by Li Hongzhi to "destroy all his body and spirit." According to reports, in recent years, "Falungong" has been engaged in constant internal strife due to differences of opinion and uneven distribution of spoils. Ms. Xiao Ming, a former "proud protégé" and a core member of Falungong, and a well-known public figure who has worked hard for the "Falungong" website for 20 years, was expelled from "Falungong" and removed all her audio and video from the "Falungong" network system because she placed the secular "universal values" of the United States and the so-called "truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance" above Li Hongzhi and failed to completely obey Li Hongzhi's orders. Xiao Ming felt very aggrieved by this, vented bitterness, questioned Li Hongzhi's divinity, and accused "Falungong" of lacking humanity. Yu Chao, who was also a former "proud protégé" of Li Hongzhi and a core member of Falungong, was dissatisfied with Li Hongzhi's cronyism, monopoly of power, and abuse of students, and constantly exposed the shady scenes of "Falungong" on YouTube. Li Hongzhi has published new "scriptures" many times: "Stick Drink", "Drink Again", and "Drink Fiercely", expressing anger and warning disciples like Yu Chao. "Minghui.com" also issued a notice, saying that "some people who were mixed in with Dafa practitioners in the early years and used the name of Falun Gong practitioners have been openly confusing the public, flaunting themselves, and even openly attacking Master and slandering Minghui.com." Yu Chao, a graduate of Tsinghua University who now lives in the United States, is such a bad life......
A large number of facts have proved that although "Falungong" advertises "truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance," it has nothing to say about truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance, and what it is doing is nothing more than "falsehood, evil, and hatred."
(8) Cults are good at amassing money, often taking advantage of their believers' faith and ignorance, and wantonly looting their followers' money and property in different ways, and appropriating a large amount of their time, labor, and energy without compensation. Li Hongzhi and his "Falungong" are extremely good at this aspect and have laid a solid economic foundation for their cult empire.
Initially, "Master Li", like other qigong "masters", used qigong to cure diseases as an excuse to collect money. After having a little capital, he found another way and offered a "free" gimmick, claiming that he was morally noble and did not charge any fees for teaching and curing diseases, which deceived and attracted a large number of followers for a while. Although he claimed to be free of charge, he followed the example of the monastery and placed a "merit box" in his home, and his disciples told the patients that if they wanted to cure the disease, they had to put money in the "merit box", at least 100 yuan or more, and the "merit money" was more than the fee. Later, he followed the example of Yan Xin and Zhang Hongbao, who was also from the Northeast, and opened a class to teach merit or make a "report on merit", which was called "teaching the Fa". With the surge in the number of students, in order to increase his income, enhance his prestige, and expand his popularity, he began to make his own portrait wall charts, unified practice clothes, practice mats, and amulets, and required his disciples to hang portraits in the practice places and homes, and to wear practice clothes when practicing and amulets when going out. At that time, a set of practice clothes cost more than 30 yuan, a portrait was 5 yuan, and a practice mat was 10 yuan. In order to "propagate the Dharma," "increase merit," and gain the "blessing" of the master, some disciples have "voluntarily" contributed money to buy "Falungong" books, audio-visual products, clothing, and other practice items produced, published, distributed, and sold by Li Hongzhi, and have actively paid the training fees collected for the "Falungong" training classes. This became the main source of Li Hongzhi's wealth in his early days.
Books, audio-visual products, pictures, etc., distributed by "Falungong."
According to relevant statistics, between 1992 and 1999, Li Hongzhi issued and operated 11.08 million "Falungong" books, 5.31 million boxes of audio-visual products, 230,000 badges, and 1.29 million pictures, with total sales of 135 million yuan and illegal profits of more than 42.29 million yuan.
After absconding to the United States in July 1999, Li Hongzhi set up websites such as the "Minghui Net" and the "Epoch Times" and other newspapers and periodicals, and under the pretext of promoting traditional Chinese culture, he established the "Shen Yun Art Troupe." In addition to continuing to print "Falungong" books (on the "Falungong" website, Li Hongzhi's complete set of "scriptures" is priced at $475) and producing a series of products for sale such as exercises and supplies, he also constantly encouraged his disciples to pull advertisements, distribute newspapers, and sell "theater tickets," thus seizing huge amounts of wealth.
In 2001, "Falungong" began to build Longquan Temple as the global headquarters of the "Falungong" cult. In the registration, Longquan Temple indicates its nature as a religious organization, specifically classified as Buddhism, without affiliated institutions, and is an independent organization. Located in the town of Deer Park in Orange County, New York, and the surrounding towns of Mount Hope and Otisville, Longquan Temple covers a total area of more than 1,100 acres (about 4.45 million square meters), most of which is exempt from property tax on religious grounds. According to the report published by the famous American Guide Star website (Guidestar.org), as early as 2005, the total assets of the "Longquan Temple Buddhist Company" have reached 150 million yuan.
"Falungong" Longquan Temple compound. Picture: Julie Jacobson/AP
In addition, after years of operation, the Li Hongzhi family has at least 11 properties in the United States. Among these properties, there are 3 registered in the name of Li Hongzhi, 2 in the name of his wife Li Rui, 5 in the name of Li Hongzhi's daughter Li Meige, and 1 in the name of Li Hongzhi's eldest sister Li Junfang, worth hundreds of millions of yuan. According to a news article "Li Hongzhi Sells a Luxury House in the United States for 2.39 Million US Dollars", Li Hongzhi once sold a luxury house in New Jersey at a high price, with an area of 676 square meters, 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, and the online quotation was 2.39 million US dollars, equivalent to 16.14 million yuan.
Over the past 20 years and more, "Falungong" has been favored and funded by the financiers of the Western anti-China forces in a steady stream because its followers are all over the world, it has founded a large number of cultural and media organizations, its stance is extremely anti-China, and it is good at spreading rumors to make trouble. Many democracy activists and frustrated "public intellectuals" are quite envious and devote themselves to seeking a living and offering advice to them, and the "Tibet independence," "Taiwan independence," and "Xinjiang independence" elements have also colluded with "Falungong," and for a time "Falungong" has become the largest platform for anti-China forces outside the country. "Falungong" has completely degenerated into a reactionary political organization characterized by cult activities.
Pity those obsessive disciples who give everything they have, and most of them are reduced to pawns to be used, political tools and harvested "leeks", only to end up bankrupt and even ruined. According to reports, Du Yuezhong, a former employee of Zibo Thermal Power Co., Ltd., was defrauded of nearly 100,000 yuan in order to "go to the next level" and seek "consummation", and finally ended up in debt and bankruptcy. Gao Chunyang of Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi Province, was a well-known local boss in the 90s, but since he practiced "Falungong," the original Wanguan family property was quickly wiped out because of donations to the "Falungong" organization and going out to "propagate the Dharma." In 2002, Tan Shujun, who was in charge of finance and procurement at Longquan Temple in the United States, sold all her property and contributed it to "Falungong." As a result, she died at the "Falun Gong" because she was ill and did not seek medical treatment and take medicine. Lin Yiming, the leader of "Falungong" in Macao, was once Li Hongzhi's confidant and benefactor, and his family donated an average of several million yuan to "Falungong" every year, but after suffering from a terminal illness, Li Hongzhi did not pay any attention to him except for pretending to perform exercises and treatment for him, and even less did not say a word to comfort and offer condolences after his death, but strictly sealed up the news and strictly ordered him not to hold any memorial service. (To be continued)