Nearly 100 million people in over 50 countries are participating in a form of Chinese exercise known as Falun Dafa.

Last night at a cultural exhibition in the Warnock Cultural Lounge in North Halls, members of the PSU Falun Dafa club showcased an exhibit of photographs and presented information about the controversial practice.

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is meditation and a form of Chinese qigong -- Chinese cultivation-exercise. The philosophy centers on the so-called essence of the universe: truth, compassion and tolerance. Although it is neither a religious nor a political practice, it has fallen under heavy scrutiny from head officials in China.

Last night's presentation aimed not only to educate those in attendance about the benefits of Falun Dafa, but also to discuss the abuse its practitioners' face in China. Until 1999, the Chinese government supported the form of Chinese qigong. However, when the number of practitioners exceeded the registered number of people in the ruling Chinese Communist Regime, the movement was outlawed.

"People are being killed for simple exercises," said Max Whitcomb, president of PSU Falun Dafa.

"After you practice, you should feel a breath through your skin. You feel calm," he said. The exercise has given some people relief from chronic pain.

PHOTO: Zainabu Williams
Corina Hsieh, PSU alumnus and the Falun Dafa practitioner, demonstrates Falun Gong exercises while Max Whitcomb, president of the Falun Dafa club explains the movements.

"I had pain in my spine for six years. Now I take no medication. The pain is gone," Kuan-Yuan Hsieh, a Falun Dafa enthusiast, said.

Falun Dafa followers face harsh conditions in China, Hsieh said.

"Right now in China, there is great propaganda," she said in reference to the negative view of Falun Dafa by China's government.

Hsieh told a story about when her friend spoke out about Falun Dafa at Japan's Tokyo University in 1999. When her friend arrived back in China to see his parents, he was immediately intercepted and escorted away by police. Hsieh has not seen her friend since.

Despite these adversities, Hsieh thinks Falun Dafa will persevere in the years to come because its practitioners have withstood so much over the past three years.

"Everyone needs to practice [Falun Dafa]. Everything will get better and better. The whole world will get better and better," Hsieh said.

The exhibit is part of the "Art on the Move" series, which is a semester-long exhibition of Penn State artists.

"It is a good thing to support art and have these gallery talks. This presentation certainly fit with the showcase of both art and diversity," said Sean Cook, coordinator for North Halls Residence Life.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2002/11/11-05-02tdc/11-05-02darts-02.asp