(The Carillon, Volume 56, Number 49, Steinbach, Manitoba, Monday, December 3, 2001)

Monday, December 3, 2001

Two practitioners of Falun Gong stopped in Steinbach last week to draw attention to the persecution of the group's adherents in China.

"There is no freedom in China," said Bill Guan who together with Sylvia Liu is appealing to city councils and citizens across Canada. They pointed to photographs showing people who had been severely tortured for practicing Falun Gong and noted almost 300 had been killed with 100,000 detained and over 20,000 sent to labor camps without trials.

Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is an ancient practice which teaches mental and physical well-being is possible by adhering to three basic principles-truthfulness, compassion and tolerance -- and through performing five sets of gentle exercises.

Guan is adamant Falun Gong is not a religion but simply a way of life.

"We have no rituals or worship and no membership obligations," he says, pointing out by following the teachings of this ancient philosophy, people become better -- living more upright and harmonious lives and developing a great inner strength that enables them to face life's challenges with peace and compassion.

He notes from his point of view adherents of the "great law" inevitably become more responsible citizens.

[...]

Guan says that while Falun Gong has its roots in pre-historic China, it was kept somewhat secret until 1992 when Li Hongzhi brought the teachings to the public. Since that time the movement has grown quickly -- Guan suggests today there are 70 million adherents in China and 30 million in other countries, including Canada.

When the movement gained momentum, Chinese president Jiang Zemin began an immediate crackdown. Guan notes governments and citizens around the world condemn the Chinese government for the escalating persecution.

As one way to raise further awareness, Falun Gong practitioners organized a Global Rescue Walk. In Canada, they are walking from Vancouver to Toronto.

Last week three walkers passed the junction of Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 12 on their lap from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay where they were scheduled to arrive on Friday. Guan and Liu act as spokesmen for the walkers and make arrangements for food and accommodation.