[Minghui Net] On January 29, 2001, at the invitation of Professor Wesley Milner of the Department of Political Science in University of Evansville, Indiana, three Falun Gong practitioners from Ohio gave a special lecture in his class of World Culture.
One western practitioner made some beautiful slides for the lecture. With the aid of these slides, practitioners first talked about Qigong and its relationship with traditional Chinese culture. They then elaborated that the difference between Falun Gong and the rest of the Qigong practices lies in the fact that Falun Gong emphasizes the cultivation of xinxing (mind or heart nature/moral character) and treasures "Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance", the principle that guides xinxing cultivation. Another western practitioner, utilizing photos, introduced the students to the development of Falun Gong in China and the rest of the World, the crackdown happening in China, as well as the persistent peaceful appeals of practitioners in Mainland China. In the end, they demonstrated all five Falun Gong exercises to the class.
Professor Milner and his students showed a strong interest during the lecture. Some students conscientiously took notes. The practitioners answered all the questions raised by professor Milner and his students. A female junior student even asked the practitioners how to call the Chinese Embassy to help practitioners in Mainland China. Professor Milner thought the practitioners' introduction to Falun Gong was comprehensive, including both the principles of Falun Gong and its current development.
Professor Milner teaches World Culture, Western Europe Policy, as well as other classes at the University of Evansville. His research covers international relations, with a focus on human rights. He understood Falun Gong to be part of Chinese Culture and arranged for practitioners to introduce Falun Gong to his students. He also contacted other professors who teach World Culture so that their students were able to join this lecture. After the lecture, professor Milner asked the practitioners if they would like to give one more lecture in his class of Western Europe Policy for senior students; the practitioners joyfully agreed.
The crackdown of the Chinese government toward Falun Gong has drawn more and more kind-hearted peoples' attention from all over the world. While having dinner with professor Milner and his family, professor Milner said he did not understand how the peaceful cultivators could threaten Chinese government. The practitioners told him that Falun Gong brought back Chinese traditional beliefs to people's hearts. Not only the fact that there are so many practitioners but the firm beliefs of the practitioners makes the Chinese government feel threatened. They also mentioned that Falun Gong has not and will not be involved in politics. It's indeed the crackdown of the Chinese government that has pushed Falun Gong to the political stage. Professor Milner said, "I understand that it's the resistance to the crackdown that has manifested as political." The practitioners also talked, from personal experiences, about the Chinese government's persecution of their friends and relatives in China, as well as of harassment to overseas practitioners. Professor Milner added, " Please let me know if you are in need of any assistance."
As more and more Westerners desire to learn Falun Gong, practitioners have been preparing and delivering hongfa (spreading Falun Gong) to the mainstream American society. Practitioners in Ohio have received a couple of invitations from professors who work at universities in Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia to give lectures about Falun Gong. Professor Milner also expressed desire to have the practitioners return in the fall to give Falun Gong lectures in his World Culture class again.
All content published on this website is copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
