The Religions Book

323

THROUGH QIGONG

See also: Aligning the self with the dao 66–67 ■ Physical and mental discipline

112–13 ■ Escape from the eternal cycle 136–43

T

here was a revival of

interest in the meditative

exercises known as qigong

(literally “life-energy cultivation”) in

China in the second half of the 20th

century, and while the Communist

authorities saw it as a way to

improve public health, others found

spiritual meaning in the practice.

Among them was Li Hongzhi, who

founded the Falun Dafa movement

(popularly known as Falun Gong) in

the early 1990s. He advocated the

practice of Falun Gong (“Practice of

the Wheel of Law”) as not only a

means of cultivating life-energy,

but also a way to put practitioners

in touch with the energy of the

universe in order to elevate them

to higher levels of existence.

In his book Revolving the

Wheel of Law, Li describes five

core exercises to cultivate the

mind, body, and spirit. He explains

that the Falun (the law wheel) is

situated in the lower abdomen,

and its rotation—in sympathy

with the revolving of the universe

—rids the practitioner of negative

influences, allowing access to

cosmic energy. Complementing

these exercises is a philosophy

based on the virtues of zhen-shàn-

ren (truthfulness, benevolence, and

forbearance), similar to traditional

Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist

ideas, which governs the conduct

of Falun Dafa practitioners.

Viewed by some as a new

religion, but by others as a practice

continuing in the Chinese tradition

of cultivation of the mind, body,

and spirit, Falun Dafa has attracted

many followers in China, where

its religious overtones have,

however, led to it being outlawed. ■

MODERN RELIGIONS

IN CONTEXT

KEY FIGURE
Li Hongzhi

WHEN AND WHERE
From 1992, China

BEFORE
c.2000 BCE Various movement
and breathing exercises are
developed for meditation and
healing in China, and are later
collectively known as qigong.

5th century BCE Qigong
exercises are incorporated
into the philosophies of
Daoism, Confucianism,
and Buddhism in China.

1950s The Chinese
Communist government
adopts qigong techniques
as part of a secular health-
improvement program.

AFTER
1990s Li Hongzhi moves to the
US; the Chinese Communist
Party declares Falun Dafa a
heretical organization, while
in the West, the practice of
qigong gains in popularity.

Qigong exercises aim to rebuild or

rebalance qi, the essential life force or

energy, through controlled movement,

breathing, and mental awareness.

WE ACCESS

COSMIC ENERGY

LIFE-ENERGY CULTIVATION IN FALUN DAFA