Falun Gong: Sect? Religion or Philosophy?

[frenchy]

I've recently become interested in meditation and tai-chi. A few friends have also mentioned the practice of Falun Gong. I had categorised Falun Gong as a sect, seeing them mainly in China Town manifesting or demonstrating against the Chinese Government. But after reading "Witnessing History and Falun Gong" by J. Zeng, I've come to realise that it's not much different than other practices promoting Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. But the horror stories and torture imposed by the Government to the practitioners make me question if I'm missing something. Is it really just another practice or is there something behind the meditative movement? Thoughts/information welcome!

[╗]

EDIT: ^Here's a thread for you.

Falungong
eurasiannation.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=politics&action=display&thread=1137988962&page=1

[ConceptDesign]

^ Are some kinda ccp stooge?

[DivaDancerLara]

dare i suggest a bunch of chinese grandmothers who have nothing to do when the family is gone to work?

well yes there is a serious platform

[penguinopolipitese]

i read somewhere about a kid who died or almost died because the parents were into falun gong and opposed the medical treatment because of the beliefs of the religeon. I totally can't back that story up though. It could have just been propagana from the chinese gov't....

[Aiko]

I saw it on a Falungong flyer that medical treatments are looked down upon and forbidden. They say that one's faith and meditation will cure oneself. A falungong practicing family actually took their sick son outside on a hot summer day so he can meditate and let the faith cure his illness. He died of heat stroke. You tell me if that's justice or not. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw some of their flyers. Some were very graphic, meditation through enduring physical pain and stuff.

[EA Observer]

^ That sounds awfully similar to what the Jehova's Witnesses who forbid blood transfusion do to their members.

[jewbird]

While I find it conceivable, there's a good chance it's just ccp propaganda. Like the "self-immolation" incident in Tiananmen Square. Very convenient they happened to have the fire extinguisher handy for the occasion.

My understanding is that practicing Falun Gong will eliminate and prevent illness but if there is a serious medical problem, one should go to the hospital.

As to the ccp's motivations, it was basically a power play. FG was apparently very popular in China before it was banned. If you study Chinese history, widespread spiritual movements have generally been associated with the changing of a dynasty.

These days it's the 900-lb gorilla in the corner of the room no one talks about.