The
following report is on December 26, 1999s Columbia Missourian.
á
A
world of controversy
By Rika Kanaoka
á
To Mayor
Darwin Hindman, it seemed quite innocuous just another formality in a
city officials day. After reviewing some written materials left by some
residents, he signed a proclamation declaring this week Falun Dafa
Week.á
Three
people had approached the mayor in mid-November, saying they opposed drugs
and alcohol. Though mayor didnt have chance to see them, their
brochures seemed peaceful and sincere, he said, as it explained
pursuing tranquility, goodness and meaningfulá
lives through physical exercises, meditation and study. The group
just wanted to let public know more about their activities.á
áIt sounded good, Hindman said.á
áBut within weeks of the proclamation, an international
controversy came to the mayors doorstep.á
The
Chinese Consulate in Chicago sent Hindman a series of critical faxes that
called Falun Dafa a dangerous cult and asked the mayor to withdraw the
proclamation.á
At that
point, Hindman discovered that Falun Dafa was another name for Falun
Gong, a Chinese spiritual movement founded in 1992 that claims 100
million practitioners worldwide and 2 million in China.á
Threatened
by the popularity of Falun Gong, the Chinese government passed a law on
July22 that made it illegal in China. Since the crackdown, thousands of
the practitioners have been jailed.á
This action caused criticism from other countries, including the United States, that China is violating human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of beliefs. Falun Gong tribute weeks or days have been proclaimed in cities including Washington D.C.
and Chicago.á
After
researching the issue further, Hindman decided to stand by his decision.á
áI prefer to rely on my own government, he said.á
Hindman joins Seattle Mayor Paul Schell in unknowingly backing his way into a hornets nest. Schell issued a proclamation during the week of the World Trade Organization conference without knowing the issues in China.
After
Chinese Ambassador Li Zhaoxi g, who was in Seattle for the trade talks,
interceded, Schell decided to withdrew the proclamation, leaving Falun
Gong members furious and betrayed.á
Local
Falun Gong practitioners will be publicly demonstrating their practice at
the Courthouse Square weather permitting and will follow with an
educational program at the Boone County Government Center. They say that
the practice blends ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, traditional Chinese
exercises like tai chi and meditation and some New Age beliefs including
the cultivation of a Wheel of energy in the belly of followers.á
We
dont consider this as a religion, Falun Dafa practitioner David
Massey said. There is no structure, no hierarchy, no clergy none of
the things that we think of as what religion is.á
áBut I admit that we do have belief and faith in the
principles, which make people confused about Falun Dafa, Massey said.á
The
difference between Falun Gong and other martial arts is the higher energy
level and the aimed to teach people how to be a good person, he said.á
The group
doesnt have a formal organization or a leader, and it doesnt accept
any donation for the activities. The group also holds frequent seminars
for Falun Gong, where they study and practice together, accepting
newcomers without any charge.á
It is
one of the aspects of Falun Dafa that I found very important, Massey
said. There is no controlling aspect at all. There is really free and
open. You can come and go as you wish, and Master Li teaches.á
Li
Hongzhi, a former musician and night watchman now living in New York, is
credited with starting Falun Gong.á
We
just wanted to make this a little bit more widely known, said Chuan
Lin, who has been practicing almost three years.á
Two
and half years ago, I was the only practitioner, Lin said. Now we
have about 20 people. It is difficult (to popularize the activity) because
Columbia is a small city, but popularity is what we are working on. I hope
more people become interested in Falun Gong.á
Category: Falun Dafa in the Media
