One of China’s biggest secrets in the 1990s was Falun Gong . Whether you call it meditation, a spiritual discipline, or a form of qigong, by mid-1999 an estimated 100 million people in China were practicing it.
Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that originated in China in the early 1990s. It combines elements of traditional Chinese culture, meditation, and qigong exercises to cultivate the mind, body, and spirit. One question that often arises when discussing Falun Gong is whether or not its practitioners believe in God. In this article, we will explore the beliefs of Falun Gong and shed light on this topic..
There are five exercises in Falun Gong. Four of them are done standing, and one is a cross-legged meditation. Soft and slow, they have names such as “Circle of Heaven Falun” and “Connection of the Two Poles”. People often report that they feel refreshed and energetic after these exercises.
As for its teachings, Falun Gong emphasizes that the fundamental principle of the universe is “Zhen-Shan-Rhen.” “Zhen” translates as truth and truthfulness. “Shan” means compassion, benevolence and kindness. “Zhen” means tolerance, tolerance and endurance. The teachings reveal this topic very deeply.
Does Falun Gong believe in God.
Unlike some religions that have a specific belief in God, Falun Gong does not have a centralized belief system around the concept of a deity. The practice is rooted in traditional Chinese spiritual beliefs and incorporates elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The focus of Falun Gong is on self-improvement and connecting with the fundamental nature of the universe.
Falun Gong does not adhere to the worship of a deity or deities in the way many traditional religions do. Instead, it focuses on the cultivation of one’s “xinxing” (moral character, mind-nature) and the improvement of one’s spiritual and physical well-being through the practice of its exercises and adherence to its principles. Li Hongzhi, the founder, has spoken about various higher beings and cosmic principles in his teachings, but these do not equate directly with the concept of a single God or gods as understood in monotheistic or polytheistic religions.
While Falun Gong incorporates elements from Buddhist and Daoist traditions, such as the concept of karma and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, it is distinct in its approach and does not directly involve the worship of a divine entity or entities. It is more focused on the individual’s spiritual awakening and the cultivation of virtue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Falun Gong does not believe in God in the traditional sense of a supreme being. The practice emphasizes self-cultivation, personal spiritual growth, and alignment with the principles of the universe. While it recognizes the existence of higher dimensions and divine beings, faith is placed in the principles and teachings of Falun Gong itself
