To the editor:

On May 13, 1992, in his hometown of Changchun, China, Master Li Hongzhi introduced the practice of Falun Dafa to the public. Over the next two years, he traveled throughout China giving nine-day lectures on the practice. May 13 is now celebrated as World Falun Dafa Day by Falun Dafa practitioners.

Falun Dafa (or Falun Gong) is a spiritual discipline that combines slow moving “qigong” exercise, meditation and an emphasis on three principles: truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.

China has a long history of “self-cultivation,” and Falun Dafa was recognized as something from traditional culture. Since it is taught free of charge, within 7 years of its introduction, an estimated 100 million people were practicing.

Parks throughout China were filled with people practicing exercises and meditating in the mornings. As Falun Dafa is a practice for body and mind, many found their health improved after taking up the practice.

Because of its positive impact on society, Falun Dafa initially had the support of the Chinese government. However, as it became more popular, with numbers of people practicing exceeding membership in the Chinese Communist Party, that position changed. On July 20, 1999, the CCP began persecuting Falun Dafa. Since then, millions of innocent people have been put in prison where they endure brainwashing and torture.

Importantly Falun Dafa practitioners in China continue to practice their belief while making efforts to explain to their fellow Chinese, including CCP members, what Falun Dafa is and why they practice.

To learn more, please visit https://faluninfo.net.

Yin Zhang

Houston, Texas