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Religious Tolerance
Spiritual paths

Falun Gong and Falun Dafa

An introductory guide to a modern Chinese spiritual movement: its origins, practices, beliefs and the political history that shaped how it is understood.

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Overview

A movement combining study, exercise and moral cultivation

Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, was introduced publicly in Changchun in 1992 by Li Hongzhi. It developed within the wider context of qigong, a Chinese tradition of exercises and practices associated with breath, movement and disciplined attention.

Its teachings draw on Buddhist and Taoist vocabulary while presenting a distinctive system of moral self-cultivation. Practitioners commonly describe the practice as involving meditation, gentle exercises and efforts to align everyday conduct with values often translated as truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.

Historical settingPublicly introduced in China during the early 1990s.
PracticeExercises, meditation and personal reflection.
IdeasEthical cultivation and spiritual development.
StudyTeachings are presented through Falun Dafa texts and lectures.
How to read the material

Four useful questions

A compact method for approaching a subject that has been described very differently by supporters, critics and state authorities.

Define

Separate the names, practices and organizational descriptions used by different sources.

Locate

Place the movement within China's qigong revival and the wider history of religion and politics.

Compare

Read practitioner accounts alongside independent historical and human-rights reporting.

Check dates

Distinguish early descriptions from later developments and archival claims.

Reader guide

Frequently asked questions

Are Falun Gong and Falun Dafa different movements?

They are generally two names for the same movement. The preferred name depends on the speaker, source or translation.

Is Falun Dafa a religion?

Descriptions vary. Some practitioners and scholars use religious or spiritual language, while other accounts emphasize qigong, ethical cultivation or a new religious movement.

What does the practice involve?

Accounts commonly mention meditation, slow exercises and study of teachings, together with efforts to develop particular moral qualities.

Why is Falun Gong associated with China’s 1999 crackdown?

After rapid growth and increasing public visibility, the Chinese government launched a campaign against the movement in 1999. The campaign and its consequences remain subjects of extensive reporting and debate.

Does this page endorse Falun Dafa?

No. Religious Tolerance presents the movement's own descriptions alongside contextual and critical material for educational comparison.

Where can I compare this topic with other movements?

See the new religious movements menu, compare beliefs, and the glossary.