To the editor of Washington Post and Mr. John Pomfret:

As active members of the Chinese civil societies, we have long been critical of
Falungong even before the group's massive protests in April 1999. 

Your article (China's Steadfast Sect, August 23, 2000, p a18) missed an
important theological point of Falungong. The Falun (Wheel of the Law) is not a
"born-with" energy wheel, but an instrument that Li claims that he plants in the
bellies of the disciples.  It is a "gift" that represents the Master's personal
intervention in their salvation.  The distinction is significant: what Li gives,
Li can take back.  This serves as an instrument of "mind-control." The function
of the Falun is not only an "energy gathering" device in Falungong, if so, the
loss of it would not be harmful; rather, it is also a "cure-all" that purifies
the bodies of the disciples, so that they can be "healed" or even be protected
in case of catastrophe.  The disciples are led to, or encouraged to risk their
lives with this kind of beliefs.  And each act of protest will eliminate their
past "karma" (which is a black material according to Li).

While we strongly oppose any police brutalities anywhere, including those in
China, we would assign most of the blames on Li since the drastic increases of
the dreadful incidences including deaths, occurred with his permission and
encouragement.  In fact, he calls those died in jail as "great lives, gods" as
if they had achieved the "consummation" and reached the Falun Paradise.  On the
other hand, he threatens those more realistically minded followers with curses
and damnations. It is clear that Li is willing to up the ante for his own sake,
not for the safety or health (as the trademark that he uses to market Falungong
in the United States) of the disciples.

It is unfortunate that the public here is often deceived by this group's
apparently benign claims to the health effects, disguised as a branch of
qigong. If such a tendency is unchecked, Li would, as they did in China, push
his belief system through public libraries (as they do now in Houston, San Diego
and LA areas) and public schools in the name of "mind-body exercises" and
"multicultures."  It is time that the public should be warned of Li's racist and
anti-human teachings.

Shi-min Fang
President of
New Threads Chinese Cultural Society, Inc. (http://www.xys.org)
P.O. Box 26194
San Diego, CA 92196-0194

Zixian Deng
Graduate Student of
Department of Political Science
University of North Texas
Denton, TX 76203