(12 Jun 1999) Mandarin/Nat
The leader of a growing Chinese spiritual discipline known as Falun Dafa said on Friday in New York that his movement poses no political threat to the Chinese government and that his only goal is to teach people how to lead "more meaningful lives."
The Chinese government has recently begun arresting members of Falun Dafa, especially after some ten-thousand of its members held a silent demonstration in Beijing in April.
Li Hongzhi, whose particular blend of meditation and exercise is followed by 100 million (m) Chinese, lives in an undisclosed location in New York due to fears about his personal safety.
He left China in 1996 after Chinese authorities began to suspect his role as the movement's leader.
New York City may not be the most relaxing place on Earth, but Li Hongzhi can find his inner peace just about anywhere.
Mr. Li, or "Master Li" as he is known to the faithful of Falun Dafa, says his particular blend of meditation, breathing exercises and Buddhist mysticism is aimed at teaching people how to lead "more meaningful" lives.
Many people, including the Chinese government, which has recently begun arresting the of Falun Dafa, believe that it is a dangerous cult with a powerful political base.
Master Li says his teachings are spiritual, not political.
SOUNDBITE: (Translation from Mandarin)
"What I'm teaching people is to become good people, meaningful to society, and to enable them to have healthier bodies and a higher level. There's nothing evil about it, or nothing sect-like or cult-like about that."
SUPER CAPTION: Master Li Hongzhi, leader of Falun Dafa
In April, some ten-thousand members of Falun Dafa held a silent demonstration in Beijing outside the compound of the Communist Party.
Many were arrested, and since then a growing number of Falun Dafa adherents have been detained by Chinese security forces.
According to Master Li, the Chinese government fears Falun Dafa because it has attained a mass following which rivals the authority of the regime.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"In fact the Chinese government has not considered Falun Dafa a movement of any sorts. It's only that they're worried that there are so many people practicing it, in fact over 100 million people practicing Falun Dafa, they worry that it may be taken advantage of by a few bad people. And that's what they're concerned about."
SUPER CAPTION: Master Li Hongzhi, leader of Falun Dafa
Recently, after weeks of mounting pressure on Falun Dafa in China, police reportedly rounded up dozens of followers in Beijing who had gathered at a stadium to meditate.
The detentions followed the arrest, on the fourth of June, of a Falun Dafa follower in Dalian, in northeast China.
Although the group maintains it is not organizing against the government, Falun Dafa adherents, many of them middle-aged and older and fervent in their beliefs, could present a strong force if angered.
SOUNDBITE: (Translation from Mandarin)
"At this point it's hard to tell who the Chinese government would rather believe, over a 100 million people, or the security forces. It's hard to tell who they are going to trust. This is what remains to be seen."
SUPER CAPTION: Master Li Hongzhi, leader of Falun Dafa
Falun Dafa, which translates to "Law Wheel Great Way" or "Dharma Wheel Discipline" was founded in 1992 by Mr. Li. After achieving a significant following, Mr. Li was forced to leave China in 1996.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
