INTRODUCTION TO
FALUN DAFA
Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a traditional practice that focuses on improving both the mind and the body. Rooted in ancient Chinese cultivation traditions, it offers a path toward better health, inner peace, and personal growth.
At its core, Falun Dafa combines moral teachings with gentle exercises. Practitioners strive to live by the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance (Zhen, Shan, Ren), while also practicing a set of slow, meditative movements designed to restore balance and energy.
Falun Dafa was first introduced to the public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. A few years later, in 1995, he published Zhuan Falun, the main book of the practice. The book quickly became widely read, and by 1999, millions of people in China had taken up the practice. Today, Falun Dafa is practiced in over 100 countries, and Zhuan Falun has been translated into more than 40 languages.
LEARN FALUN DAFA WITH
Mr. Li Hongzhi
IMPROVING ONE'S HEALH WITH
THE EXERCISES
The practice of Falun Dafa includes five gentle exercises— stretching, standing movements and one seated meditation. These exercises are slow, easy to learn, The practice of Falun Dafa includes five gentle exercises—stretching movements, four standing exercises, and one seated meditation. These movements are slow, easy to learn, and suitable for people of all ages and physical conditions.
Although simple in form, the exercises are highly effective. Many people find that regular practice helps reduce stress, increase energy, and bring a sense of calm and clarity. Over time, practitioners often experience not only physical improvements but also a deeper sense of balance and well-being in their daily lives.
To see how the exercises are performed, you can watch the video provided here.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
FOR BEGINNERS
Alongside Zhuan Falun, the main text of Falun Dafa, Mr. Li Hongzhi’s lectures, articles, and essays have been compiled into a collection of 51 books. These include Falun Gong, The Great Way of Spiritual Perfection, Zhuan Falun Volume II, Essentials for Further Advancement, Hong Yin (The Grand Verses), and others. More than 40 of these titles are available in English.
For those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of Falun Dafa, studying these writings is an essential part of the practice. For beginners, three books are especially recommended as a starting point.
Zhuan Falun
Falun Gong
Zhuan Falun, is the core text of Falun Dafa. Rooted in the timeless principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, it explores the connection between body and mind, the transformation of karma into virtue, and the path of elevating one’s moral character through self-reflection and letting go of attachments.
As readers engage more deeply with Zhuan Falun, they gradually gain insight into how these principles manifest at different levels. Through its teachings, practitioners strive to apply these principles in their daily lives, deepening their understanding of themselves and the world around them, and ultimately progressing toward spiritual enlightenment.
Falun Gong: is the introductory book to Falun Dafa spiritual practice. It outlines the practice’s principles for the mind and mechanics behind the exercises. It contains detailed explanations with step-by-step graphical illustrations on how to do the exercises.
The book also has a section on frequently asked questions and answers. Since many teachings are built upon the fundamentals mentioned in Falun Gong, we often recommend beginners to start with this volume before moving on to other Falun Dafa books.
WAYS TO
LEARN FALUN DAFA
There are several accessible and free ways to begin learning Falun Dafa, whether in person or online.
1.In-Person Free Classes at Fa Yuan Bookstore
We offer two types of complimentary classes at our headquarters in Middletown, NY, and at our branch locations. We look forward to learning and growing together with you. Join us now.
- The 2-hour introductory class, held every Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., is a welcoming starting point for newcomers. In this session, you will learn about the principles and benefits of Falun Dafa, along with step-by-step guidance on the five gentle exercises. There is also time to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of the practice.
- The 9-day lecture series is for a more in-depth experience and held each month from the 1st to the 9th in both Middletown and New York City. This series provides a systematic introduction to Falun Dafa through video lectures by Li Hongzhi. After each session, volunteers guide participants through the exercises. Many attendees report positive changes such as reduced stress, increased energy, improved focus, and better sleep.
2.Free Classes at Local Practice Sites
You can also visit a local practice site to learn the exercises. Volunteer instructors offer free guidance in cities across more than 100 countries. These group practice settings are open, informal, and suitable for all levels. You can find a nearby locationhere.
3.Online Free Classes
If you prefer to start from home, online introductory sessions are available. These live, one-time classes provide a hands-on introduction to Falun Gong’s principles and exercises, helping you build a foundation for further learning. Afterward, many participants choose to continue with the 9-day lecture series for a more complete understanding. You can register onlinehere.
FALUN DAFA PRACTITIONERS
Around the World
Today, Falun Gong has transcended cultural and national boundaries to bring physical health, joy, and peace of mind to millions of others around the globe. From Cape Town to Cannes, Bangledesh to Berlin, Tokyo to Tehran, Falun Gong is practiced in over 100 countries, its teachings available in over 40 languages.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Falun Gong FAQs
What are Falun Gong’s teachings and beliefs?
At the core of Falun Gong are the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance (or in Chinese, Zhen 真, Shan 善, and Ren 忍). Falun Gong teaches that these are the most fundamental qualities of the universe. Practitioners strive to adopt these qualities in their daily life through meditation, Qigong-like exercises, and the study of moral principles.
Is Falun Gong a religion?
Qigong practices like Falun Gong are part of a broader tradition of “cultivation practice” that has existed throughout Asia for millennia. In the West, Falun Gong is often classified as a religion on the basis of its theological and moral teachings. However, Falun Gong differs greatly from religions in the conventional sense in that it does not involve worship, rituals, or the collection of money. People are free to come and go and everyone is welcome regardless of background.
Who practises Falun Gong?
Falun Gong is open to everyone. Although it originated in China, it is practised by people around the world. Today, millions of people from different ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds and from all walks of life practise Falun Gong. It is taught by volunteers in over 130 countries across the globe. Falun Gong books have been translated into 40 languages and are available free online.
How many people practise Falun Gong?
In early 1999, Chinese government officials and state-run media estimated that 70–100 million people were practising Falun Gong in China, making it the fastest-growing spiritual teaching in the world at that time. Today, although people who practise Falun Gong are found in over 130 countries around the world, it is difficult to give precise numbers because the practice has no concept of membership.
Who started Falun Gong?
Falun Gong was first made public by Mr. Li Hongzhi, a native of Changchun, China. Now living in the United States, Mr. Li is a five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and was nominated by the European Parliament for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. He is also the recipient of U.S.-based Freedom House’s International Religious Freedom Award.
Why is Falun Gong banned in China?
Falun Gong was widely popular across China throughout the 1990s and highly praised and awarded by the Chinese government at the time. However, a few top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party launched a violent campaign against the practice in 1999, due to Falun Gong’s growing popularity and because they felt Falun Gong’s emphasis on moral living and traditional Chinese culture was a threat to the atheist communist regime, which largely rules by control and fear.
Many insiders also point out that China’s top leader at the time, Jiang Zemin, personally resented Falun Gong’s popularity, fearing it was stealing attention away from his efforts to build a lasting legacy for himself.
Governments around the world and human rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on the Chinese Communist Party to stop the persecution of Falun Gong. They have condemned the persecution as an illegal attack by a paranoid regime against believers of a peaceful faith.
What’s the difference between Falun Gong and Falun Dafa?
“Falun Dafa” and “Falun Gong” refer to the same practice. “Falun Dafa” is the formal name, whereas “Falun Gong” is a more colloquial term made popular in China.
In English, “Falun Dafa” translates to “Law Wheel of The Great Law.”