Falun Gong, also referred to as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual movement that emerged in China in the early 1990s. It was founded by Li Hongzhi and combines meditation, physical exercises, and a moral philosophy rooted in traditional Chinese concepts. Over time, the movement developed from a widely practiced health activity into an international diaspora, shaped by state suppression in China and ongoing debates about its beliefs, structure, and activities.
The practice originated during the qigong boom of the 1980s and early 1990s, a period marked by widespread participation in traditional movement and breathing exercises. Li introduced Falun Gong publicly on May 13, 1992, in Changchun, Jilin Province. It was soon recognized as a branch of qigong under the state-run China Qigong Scientific Research Society, and Li was authorized to teach nationwide.
Between 1992 and 1994, Li traveled across major Chinese cities delivering lectures and receiving recognition from government entities. During this early period, authorities viewed the practice as a means to improve public health and promote social stability.
In January 1995, Li published Zhuan Falun, which formalized the movement’s teachings. The text outlines three core principles — Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance — as fundamental to both the universe and moral conduct. Practitioners aim to align with these principles, improve their moral character, and reduce attachments to desires such as fame, wealth, and negative emotions. The practice also includes five sets of exercises, consisting of three standing routines and two meditation practices. These are presented as supporting both physical and spiritual development.
Falun Gong’s cosmology centers on the concept of the “Falun,” described as an energy entity located in the lower abdomen. It is said to absorb energy and provide protection from negative influences. The teachings describe human beings as originally divine, later descending into suffering due to accumulated karma, which is represented as a black substance. Through practice and moral improvement, this is believed to transform into a white substance associated with virtue, ultimately leading to spiritual completion.
Falun Gong developed without formal membership systems, fees, or hierarchical structures. By late 1994, Li had eliminated seminar fees and emphasized that the practice should be taught freely. Prior to 1999, the movement operated through decentralized networks of local practice sites and volunteer coordinators, with no formal authority structure among practitioners.
As the movement expanded, aspects of its teachings and internal dynamics drew attention from critics and researchers. Some observers noted that authority within the movement is centered on Li, whose writings are treated as doctrinal. Critics have also raised concerns about the group’s expectations regarding moral conduct and its emphasis on detachment from worldly concerns. Li’s public statements on science and society have also generated debate. He has expressed skepticism toward modern scientific developments and has made claims regarding extraterrestrial life influencing human society and technological progress.
Tensions with Chinese authorities began to increase in the mid-1990s. In 1995, Li declined proposals to integrate Falun Gong more closely with state institutions and refused requirements related to Communist Party oversight. In March 1996, the movement withdrew from the official qigong organization, losing its formal recognition. Following this, state media began publishing criticisms of Falun Gong, including labeling its teachings as superstition. Practitioners responded by organizing peaceful demonstrations to request retractions, which were sometimes granted.
Despite growing tensions, the movement retained some support within official circles. A 1998 state sports commission survey involving over 12,000 practitioners reported perceived health and social benefits. Another investigation led by former National People’s Congress chairman Qiao Shi reached similar conclusions. By 1999, official estimates placed the number of practitioners in China at approximately 70 million, while Li claimed a global following of 100 million.
In April 1999, a critical article by physicist He Zuoxiu was published in a Tianjin magazine. Protests by practitioners in Tianjin led to detentions and reports of police violence. Authorities directed practitioners to take their concerns to Beijing. On April 25, 1999, more than 10,000 practitioners gathered near the government compound in Beijing. While Premier Zhu Rongji engaged with representatives and offered reassurances, President Jiang Zemin interpreted the gathering as a political threat.
On July 20, 1999, Chinese authorities launched a nationwide crackdown, detaining large numbers of practitioners. On July 22, Falun Gong was officially banned and designated an illegal organization. An arrest warrant for Li was issued on July 29, but he had already relocated to the United States in 1995. In October, legislation targeting groups classified as heterodox religions formalized penalties, including imprisonment.
Following the ban, the movement’s activities within China shifted underground and became increasingly reliant on digital communication. Reports from international human rights organizations have documented large-scale detentions, including placement in reeducation-through-labor camps. By 2008, U.S. government estimates suggested Falun Gong practitioners comprised a significant portion of detainees in such facilities. By 2009, some estimates indicated at least 2,000 deaths in custody. Allegations also emerged regarding organ harvesting from detained practitioners, leading to investigations and legislative reviews in multiple countries. The Chinese government has denied these claims and maintains that its actions are lawful.
The suppression contributed to the formation of a global diaspora, with the United States becoming a central base. Practitioners established networks in over 80 countries and developed media and cultural organizations to present their perspectives and document alleged abuses.
These organizations include The Epoch Times newspaper, which expanded its reach internationally and has been noted for its political coverage and involvement in online campaigns, particularly during the 2016 U.S. election cycle. The newspaper and its online videos became strong supporters of Donald Trump.
Another subsidiary is the Shen Yun Performing Arts company, which performs lavish “traditional dance” productions in the U.S. and elsewhere. These shows are heavily advertised and contain segments highly critical of the Chinese government. Chinese authorities have pursued efforts to counter Falun Gong activity abroad. In one U.S. case, two individuals were convicted in 2024 for attempting to bribe an Internal Revenue Service official in connection with Shen Yun’s tax-exempt status.
Falun Gong practitioners have also developed tools aimed at bypassing internet censorship in China, including Ultrasurf and Freegate. These projects received funding from the U.S. government, including a State Department grant in 2010. However, some technical experts have raised concerns about the software’s design and effectiveness.
Debate over funding and oversight of these tools continued in subsequent years. During the Trump administration, efforts were made within the U.S. Agency for Global Media to expand funding for such technologies, leading to internal disputes and investigations. Independent reviews later assessed the tools as having limited effectiveness against advanced censorship systems.
Key Sources:
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Lewis, J. R. (2018). Falun Gong: Spiritual Warfare and Martyrdom. Cambridge University Press.
Matas, D., & Kilgour, D. (2009). Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organs.
Moore, M. (2009, April 24). Falun Gong “growing” in China despite 10-year ban. The Telegraph.
Penny, B. (2012). The Religion of Falun Gong. University of Chicago Press.
Sveen, B., McGregor, L., & Cohen, H. (2020, July 31). Insiders reveal the opaque world of Falun Gong. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.