Wednesday, January 9, 2002

Chunpu Ma meditates in front of the Capitol during an exhibition on Tuesday, Utah's Falun Gong Day.

Dozens of Falun Gong practitioners gathered at the state Capitol Tuesday to show their support for Gov. Mike Leavitt's proclamation declaring a day in honor of the practice throughout the Beehive State.

Gathered in the Gold Room where Leavitt receives groups of visitors, Falun Gong devotees held banners as a backdrop to the exchange between Leavitt and Falun Gong representatives who expressed their thanks for his support. Several members of the group traveled from Colorado, California and other Western states to attend the ceremonies.

"This is a nation that values deeply the capacity for all men, women and children to worship in ways and to practice those things they believe improve them," Leavitt said. As Utahns, he said, "we desire anything that enhances the inner soul and person." Though he has read bits and pieces about the group's challenges around the world, Leavitt said the meeting offered him a good opportunity to learn more about the practice.

He emphasized the importance of religious freedom, reminding his audience that in a few weeks, one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence will be placed in the Capitol rotunda during the 2002 Winter Olympics. America's founders wanted it "to be a nation where all men are free to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and I wish you much happiness."

Alicia Zhao, a spokeswoman from California, told Leavitt the practice of Falun Gong - which involves aligning one's actions to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance - originated in China but has now spread to more than 50 nations. Falun Gong is not a religious or political exercise. It taps into the "good side of human nature" as the "key to spiritual enlightenment," according to the group's literature.

There is no leadership or hierarchy within the movement. Practitioners simply study founder Li Hongzhi's teachings and practice five gentle exercises, including a sitting meditation. Often seen practicing their exercises at public parks in major U.S. cities, practitioners come together to experience spiritual enlightenment and health benefits through meditation.

Zhao explained to Leavitt that while Falun Gong - also known as Falun Dafa - was originally embraced by the Chinese government when it originated in 1992, the rapid spread of its practice frightened top government officials, who now view it as a threat to their political power base. "Their state-controlled media are spreading a lot of rumors and lies" about the practice, she said.

Practitioners are persecuted by the government, Zhao said, and many have been arrested, tortured and even killed when they failed to renounce their beliefs.

Leavitt's proclamation is "a good way to clarify a lot of lies" and misconceptions about the practice, she said.

While the number of Utah practitioners is constantly in flux, the movement appears to be growing in Utah according to Clark, a local practitioner. A year ago this month, Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson proclaimed Falun Dafa Week in the city.

http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,360007093,00.html