Falungong is a cult.
http://www.buddhistcouncil.org/cults.htm
Falun Gong -Falun Da
Falun gong is based upon the belief that the universe consists of
magical energies that can be tapped into by certain practices and
which can eliminate the need for medicine, bringing one to a state
of enlightenment and physical immortality.
Its popularity seems directly related to its claim to bring health
and relieve stress while providing enlightenment. It is
anti-science, anti-medical establishment, and anti-materialism;
thus, falun gong is attractive to many people who are fed up with
the world as it is and their position in it.
Li Hongzhi, a former trumpet-player from north-east China, is known
as "Living Buddha" to his devotees. The authorities in Beijing also
have a few other names for Mr Li. They have branded him the leader
of an "evil cult" and a dangerous charlatan and have ordered his
arrest.
He believes aliens walk the Earth and he has reportedly said he can
walk through walls and make himself invisible. Mr Li, a tallish,
thickset man, was born in Jilin province, north-east China, but his
date of birth is somewhat controversial. The authorities have
accused him of backdating it from 7 July 1952 to 13 May 1951 so he
could share the birthday of Buddhism's founder, Sakyamuni. He said
that it was misrecorded in the first place and points out that
millions of other people must share the same birthday as the
Buddha. He claimed that he is a very ordinary man but in another
interview with TIME magazine he implied that he was anything but
ordinary.
Mr Li says that he is a being from from a higher level who has come
to help humankind from the destruction it could face as the result
of rampant evil.
Asked if he was a human being from earth, he replied, "I don't wish
to talk about myself at a higher level. People wouldn't understand
it." He claims to possess a Dharmakaya body and says in his book
that the followers are not to practice recitation for the name of
the Buddha. While he keeps on claiming that he does not teach a
religion, actually does incorporate Buddhist elements in his
teaching. For example, he tells people to visualize his Fa Shen
(Dharmakaya-body) if they experience trouble. He talks about white
and black karmic drops. He said that a serious student of Falun
Gong should be committed and therefore cannot do other practices
like reciting the Buddha's or Avalokiteshvara's name. Falun Gong
Practitioners, before commencing exercises, all sit down and recite
his book called "Zhuan Falun" (Turning the Dharma wheel) like a
scripture. This is borrowing concepts from Buddhism and confusing
people about it.
But while his ideas may be bizarre, his followers claim to uphold
high moral standards. Falun Gong's three guiding principles are
Truthfulness, Benevolence and Forbearance. Western cult
investigators appear uncertain as to whether Mr Li is the benign
leader of a quasi-religious martial art or the figurehead of a far
more sinister organisation.
