November 10, 2000
SOUTH PLAINFIELD On Saturday mornings in Spring Lake Park one needs to look repeatedly at the American flag flying in the wind to be reminded that the park is not in China. The morning mist covers the lake and from inside a pagoda like gazebo the sharp and distinct tones of Chinese music fill the air. Inside the gazebo a circle of men and women, most Chinese, slowly assume different postures as they practice the principles of Falun Gong.
Another reminder that they are not in China is the fact that these people can practice this art form freely, without fear of oppression by the communist government of the practice's homeland.
Also known as Falun Dafa, the meditation practice claims to have brought inner peace and better health to millions around the world. Known as a cultivation practice, a way to improve one's body and mind, through study and practice of five sets of exercises.
Built around the principles of truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance, the series of meditations and exercises is developed to relieve stress, improve health, build inner peace, and create a harmony between body and mind which will lead to wisdom and enlightenment.
The five sets of exercises include:
- Buddha Showing the Thousand Hands; Aiming at opening up all channels in the body so that energy can circulate without blockage
- The Falun Standing Stance Exercise; to enhance one's energy level and wisdom
- Penetrating the Two Cosmic Extremes; using fresh energy from the cosmos to purify the practitioner's body
- Falun Heavenly Circulation Exercise; uses the rotation of Falun to rectify all abnormal conditions in the body so that energy can pass smoothly throughout the whole body
- Way of Strengthening Supernormal Power; a comprehensive sitting exercise serving multiple purposes, including achieving peacefulness and strengthening one's supernormal powers and energy potency.
While a way to achieve inner peace, this apparently harmless practice is despised by the communist government of China which has outlawed its practice since July, 1999.
"We stress truth and the communists don't like such honesty," said Nelly Au of Edison. She has been a practitioner of Falun Gong since she was introduced to it by a friend in her native Hong Kong.
First introduced to the public by Master Li Hongzhi in 1992, the art form has gained more than 1 million (note: author's mistake, should be 100 million) practitioners of all ages and backgrounds in more than 40 countries. There are more than 18 practice sites in the Central and Northern Jersey area alone.
Since then the government has cracked down on the practice arresting thousands of Chinese, jailing them without warrants or trial. In many cases the arrested have been tortured and in some cases killed.
Gregory Xu of Edison was introduced to Falun Gong in Shanghai 10 years ago (Note: Xu actually attained Dafa in 1996, the author made a mistake here). He also has his theories as to why the Chinese government has come down so hard on his faith.
"Communists are atheists and are against all religions," he said. "Also, they are afraid of public gatherings."
To fight the harassment and oppression of their art form, the followers of Falun Gong have appealed to the world to contact www.faluninfo.net for daily updates on the crackdown, write letters to the Chinese government and call for action from your local media, government or human rights organizations.
Originally a Buddhist, Au said she feels that "Falun Gong is more profound than Buddhism. It teaches us to be a better person."
The group also meets at the Minnie B. Veal Recreation Center on Grove Ave., Edison on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. With exercises easy enough for a four-year-old to master, all are invited to the free meetings.
For information call Nelly Au at (973)476-0326.
Vincent A. De Muro Jr., editor, contributed to this story.
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Category: Falun Dafa in the Media
