The Falun Gong show that meek can be provocative

Bruce Dearborn Walker

To understand the reaction of the Chinese government to Falun Gong, it is necessary to understand the cause and effects of the Taiping rebellion. It started as a small Christian offshoot, the leader of which believed himself, after a fever dream, to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ, with a writ from God to convert and reform the world.

Eventually, the Taipengs would control much of central China, including the river approaches to Peking. Only the involvement of the British riparine navy and their shelling and destruction of the Taiping strongholds defeated them; otherwise they had fought the Manchu government to a standstill. The Taipings lasted over 20 years, and the war killed over 50 million people, it is considered one of the three great wars of modern times, along with the Napoleonic wars and World Wars one and two together.

The Manchu government was fatally wounded by the Taipings, and lasted only a little more than 30 years after their final destruction.

The Taiping rebellion was a populist war, and quickly attracted other revolutionary movements, due to the corruption of the Ching government. It is easy to draw parallels with the present Chinese government, which is unable to prevent the local officials from robbing and cheating the populace: there are over 10,000 riots against the government is China yearly, over 30 incidents PER DAY.

China is much more fragile than it appears, or than the government wishes it to appear. The fall of China is not an outcome to be looked forward to by anyone now that China is a major international player.

BTW, I am a lifelong practitioner of Chinese martial arts. Falun Gong is a very simple health practice, however, the movement has splintered. Some of the splinters are into health, and some into politics; others are into fraud and are controlled by the triads for monetary gain.

It's a very interesting train wreck for those who care to look.

Margaret, London

"Falun Gong is political": what an unintelligent response. Stroking kittens is political if people assert their right to do so in opposition to an unjust law banning the stroking of kittens. Breathing is political is people assert their right to breathe in opposition to a law banning breathing. In fact, the writer has no insights into the practice of Falun Gong beyond: it's boring and, in itself, harmless. The Chinese Government says that their word that it's evil should be enough. By kowtowing to this attitude, the Spectator does freedom and rational debate no favours.

Ian Logan

What a pathetic analysis. Regardless of the boring and silly nature of the Falun Gong, their oppression by the Chinese dictatorship is criminal. You'll be writing a piece sympathising with the Mafia next.

Kiffa

Good post, Bruce: can you elaborate on China a bit more? thanks

Nigel Davies

This article could have been better researched from a Qigong perspective. I've practiced a form of Qigong for a while (not Falun Gong) and you need time and expert guidance to get the postures right. Attempting a 90 minute session as a total beginner is, let's say, 'overambitious'.

It's also traditional to refer to a teacher as 'sifu', which can be translated as 'teacher' or 'master'. It's also recommended to do these outside in the fresh air, though obviously the sight is going to be more unusual in London rather than Beijing.

Jaya Gibson

OK this is just poor journalism. The most alarming of the innaccuracies in this report is regarding the actual 'official' start of the crackdown in Beijing. The demonstration was not a demonstration but a silent protest – there is a difference – that passed without incident and it was around Zhongnanhai (the main government compound) which a fair distance from Tiananmen square and it was not a 24 hour event.
These facts are widely available and have been since April 1999 by 3rd parties such as Amnesty International. Based on this one mistake alone it undermines the integrity of the entire piece. If he cannot get even this simple fact correct what does it say about the rest of his journalism?
I find this piece to be ill-informed and disturbing. He clearly has not put enough work into researching what is a complex and sensitive issue. As for his opinions about the practice itself - well would you expect to be a tennis pro after a 90 minute lesson? Such statements are irrational and a bit preposterous. Had he taken any time to interview the many who have had severe chronic illnesses cured from the practice? I doubt it.
I would also like to clarify that just because a peaceful movement is trying very hard to gain basic human rights in its own country - does that make it political? Even if it does, in what possible way does that justify the CCP's torture and killing of practitioners? It seems as though Lloyd is suggesting the CCP is justified in its actions? Falun Gong practices truth, compassion and forbearance quite the opposite of the CCP.
Shame on you Lloyd, its sloppy and irresponsible journalism like this that is helping the CCP carry on its persecution in China and around the world.
I suggest others look at the plethora of websites out there that contain much more indepth analysis of the persecution. As for the practice, try it yourself and see what you think - it's free. For me it changed my life and I am thankful for it.

Andrew, Sheffield

Oh Lloyd....well, where to start? Such a poor post, sorry but you're naive. I had to laugh at it. Next time put a bit of research into your writings and step out of the box. It was inaccurate and not very credible. Anyone can patch up a piece like that. Your readers are more knowlegdeable than you. You should work harder for your money ;-)

Max London

Article based on one day's observation of Fa lungong is not convinced. Looking forward to see more reaserch both on the hard-core principles of Fa lungong and nowaday's Chinese Comunist party.

Michael Webb

I found your article a little funny, and also disturbingly naff. How could you possibly insinuate that the persecution of Falun Gong is in any way credible and beneficial to the people of China? Easy, you did virtually no research. If you were writing in the 1930's and were writing a piece on Judaism, you could sympathise with the Nazis for getting rid of those nasty Jews, all he is doing is putting them into concentration camps where they can be together, and as they point out work sets you free doesn't it?
On the one hand I sympathize, 90 minutes as a beginner is way too much. I practice Falun Gong, I took it at it's word, It claims it is a higher science. I run the experiment according to the instructions. It works, and it is extremely interesting as it really expands your capacity to understand the creation. I know journo's are a bit lazy nowadays but i'm getting a bit fed up with it to be honest. Would you introduce Nelson Mandela as a former criminal ? I think not. So a being who manages to, in a very short space of time mobilise 10's of millions of people to be better and more conscientious people would surely deserve praise not derision. The Master Li Hongzhi points out that the moral values of today are inverted. How right he is!
Of course I sympathise as well with journo's who have to write about it. It's complex and yet simple, it is enigmatic, and it isn't something you can get quickly. It is a magical journey of self discovery that leads to you to far from a robot. Actually you should take it up for a while and see, because you would then possess the self reflective capabilities to improve on you journalism and do your best for the people you serve in your magazine. Your editor would indeed be more pleased with your work and you would feel like putting more and more effort into it, and surely enough you might be entitled to a promotion. Or you could just be a robot, living within the narrow confines of your society, your narrow and lazy mindset festering in the pit of despair you have made for yourself. Nevermind, cheer up, if you make fun of the people who are trying to make the world a better place , you'll cheer up for all of two seconds before simmering back down into your robotic stupor. There is more to your life, find out about it, Falun Gong is the way for the modern man. You owe to yourselves to check it out.
All the best lloyd
Mike W

Michael Webb

Bruce
Your comments are not so helpful, nor are they informative. If you would like to really understand why the Communist regime does what it does you have to realize that the historical perspective, and balanced decision making is totally absent. read the Nine Commentaries on China by the Epoch Times and you will surely come to gain an insight into why the Falun Gong really scare the CCP.

Falun Gong is also way more than a simple health practice, and its informal organisation, with no money involved, and minimal structure it doesn't lend itself well to any kind of co-opting by dodgy underhand dealings. You can only be a Falun Gong practitioner if you meet the criteria. Seeing as there is no formal structure, there are no splinters, it is not a health practice so no one is really into improving their health through it as healing. any so-called health benefits come from changing ones consciousness so that it no longer manifests.
The loose organisation filters itself too through the practice of Truth, Benevolence and Forebearance.

There is one more point everyone in Falun Gong who is genuine is into changing the situation in China whereby people are being murdered. They are doing it from a sense of moral duty not from the desire to engage in earthly power. That is why they claim that they are non-political.The question of a government murdering its people because they follow their conscience for the benefit of others is a moral action. Just because it impacts a political sphere it doesn't make it political, it makes it moral.