国产chinesehdxxxxvr,法国白嫩大屁股xxxx,高潮+国产,被黑人猛躁10次高潮视频,97久久精品午夜一区二区

首頁  >  凱風(fēng)專區(qū)  >  凱風(fēng)精粹
1998年1月中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)“關(guān)于李洪志及其法輪功問題座談會(huì)”紀(jì)要(中英對(duì)照)

作者:陳星橋 整理 · 2006-09-08 來源:凱風(fēng)網(wǎng)

編者按:

  1998年1月,中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)高層為“法輪功問題”專門召開座談會(huì)。這是一次極其重要的會(huì)議,是中國佛教界面對(duì)法輪功咄咄逼人的惡性膨脹作出的嚴(yán)肅回應(yīng),也是佛教界高度統(tǒng)一認(rèn)識(shí),再次進(jìn)行與邪教法輪功斗爭(zhēng)的動(dòng)員和準(zhǔn)備。與會(huì)者都是中國佛教界造詣深厚,德高望重的領(lǐng)袖人物,他們以認(rèn)真嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)?shù)睦硇詰B(tài)度,深刻剖析法輪功欺騙公眾、危害社會(huì)、謗佛毀佛的種種惡行,并懷著深深的憂慮呼吁政府盡快制止法輪功的蔓延。這里公布的《中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)“關(guān)于李洪志及其法輪功問題座談會(huì)”紀(jì)要》便是整個(gè)中國佛教界與法輪功“正邪不兩立,水火不相容”的檄文和宣言。

  法輪功一向打著“佛法”的旗號(hào)欺世盜名,李洪志一向以“主佛”的名義招搖撞騙,因此對(duì)正宗和權(quán)威的中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)又恨又怕,妄圖通過巧言詭辯和“走上層路線”壓制佛教界對(duì)他們的揭露和批判。李洪志曾指使法輪功主要骨干聯(lián)名寫信上告中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)??梢娭袊鸾探缭?jīng)是法輪功最早的頭號(hào)克星。

  1998年1月13日下午, 中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)召集本會(huì)有關(guān)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)、專家學(xué)者就如何認(rèn)識(shí)和對(duì)待法輪功的問題進(jìn)行了座談。參加座談會(huì)的有:中國佛協(xié)游驤副秘書長、中國佛教文化研究所吳立民所長、教務(wù)部副主任妙華法師、綜合研究室徐玉成主任、《佛教文化》主編何云同志、《法音》雜志社副主任盧潯同志、哈爾濱市佛協(xié)副秘書長陳星橋居士。

  座談會(huì)由游驤副秘書長主持。他說:近幾年來,法輪功的發(fā)展已引起政府及社會(huì)各界的關(guān)注,各地佛教界對(duì)此也時(shí)有反映,《光明日?qǐng)?bào)》、本會(huì)《研究動(dòng)態(tài)》、浙江《臺(tái)州佛教》等報(bào)刊上還先后發(fā)表了批判法輪功的文章。本會(huì)曾專門就法輪功問題給政府主管部門行過文。前幾年法輪功出過好幾本書,都是正規(guī)出版社出版的。后來國家新聞出版署認(rèn)為這些書“內(nèi)容宣揚(yáng)迷信及偽科學(xué)”,行文要求予以收繳、封存。聽說香港、悉尼、紐約等地均有法輪功書籍出版。

  鑒于法輪功既有借佛更有貶佛、謗佛的內(nèi)容,嚴(yán)重地歪曲佛法為其所用,理所當(dāng)然地激起佛教界的義憤,所以今天請(qǐng)各位來座談一下,既發(fā)表個(gè)人的看法,也共同商研如何表明我們佛教協(xié)會(huì)對(duì)法輪功的態(tài)度。

  陳星橋:我先來介紹一下自己研究與了解到的法輪功的情況。早在1994年即有朋友勸我學(xué)法輪功,當(dāng)時(shí)還在哈爾濱聽過李洪志的講座,發(fā)現(xiàn)他的講演大受歡迎,但從明眼人來看實(shí)在是荒誕不經(jīng),便以為這只是一個(gè)暫時(shí)現(xiàn)象,一旦人們識(shí)破了其騙局,法輪功熱就會(huì)消失,因而未予重視。沒想到這幾年發(fā)展得更加迅速,既歪曲、貶損佛教,嚴(yán)重傷害了佛教徒的感情,同時(shí)還動(dòng)搖了一些信眾的正信。于是我在1996年下半年專門購置了幾本法輪功的書籍進(jìn)行研究,并寫出了《還法輪功的本來面目——一種新型的民間宗教》,發(fā)表于中國佛協(xié)《研究動(dòng)態(tài)》1997年第2期上。 因此,我對(duì)法輪功是比較了解的,至今我仍認(rèn)為它是一種具有民間宗教特點(diǎn)的附佛外道或邪教。近半年來又了解了一些有關(guān)法輪功的新情況,一是中國氣功科學(xué)研究會(huì)寫了一份《關(guān)于李洪志“法輪功”問題的情況反映》,并在1996年末年檢中注銷了“法輪功”。文中反映了李洪志及其法輪功的許多問題,且多處涉及佛教,如果我們不能與法輪功劃清界限,就法輪功問題向有關(guān)部門表明佛教界的態(tài)度,那將十分不利。二是了解到盡管法輪功受到某些報(bào)刊的批判,其書被查禁,中國氣功科學(xué)研究會(huì)會(huì)員資格被注銷,李洪志也跑到國外去了,但法輪功研究會(huì)及各地輔導(dǎo)站的活動(dòng)仍十分活躍,形成了地下網(wǎng)絡(luò),其中還有不少干部和高級(jí)知識(shí)分子信奉其說,可見問題比較嚴(yán)重,不是靠簡(jiǎn)單的批判與行政手段可以解決問題的。三是一些法輪功修煉者有病不治以致身亡等弊端時(shí)有所聞,佛教也蒙受了不白之冤,應(yīng)引起有關(guān)部門的高度重視。所以我認(rèn)為今天開這個(gè)座談會(huì)非常必要和及時(shí)。

  盧?。?/strong>李洪志在境外成立了“法輪國際”組織,在英特網(wǎng)上建立了“法輪修煉大法”主頁,國內(nèi)外一些站點(diǎn)還有“法輪修煉大法”的宣傳,還有人給法音雜志社發(fā)Email詢問法輪功,國內(nèi)一些高級(jí)知識(shí)分子還義務(wù)將李洪志的著述譯成英、法文。法音雜志社還收到幾篇宣傳法輪功的來稿和為李洪志辯護(hù)的文章。去年我們本來準(zhǔn)備刊發(fā)一些批駁法輪功的文章,后來考慮到法輪功的信眾大多數(shù)人是好的,只是由于辨不清法輪功與正信佛教的區(qū)別,受到蒙蔽,如果一開始就大加撻伐,效果未必好,因而從去年起《法音》連續(xù)刊發(fā)了幾篇介紹佛教禪定和“氣功”的文章,希望從正面進(jìn)行引導(dǎo)。從最近反映的情況看,法輪功在各地影響很大,佛教界也一直希望《法音》表態(tài),澄清信眾的認(rèn)識(shí),因而我們擬在今年《法音》上刊發(fā)一些有理有據(jù)、平心靜氣地客觀評(píng)論法輪功的文章。

  何云:因?yàn)檗k《佛教文化》刊物的緣故,我很早即從讀者的來電、來稿以及同社會(huì)各界朋友的接觸中了解了一些法輪功。陳星橋的文章我也看過,覺得基本可取,但比較平心靜氣,力度似不夠。我認(rèn)為,法輪功是一種相當(dāng)高級(jí)的民間造神運(yùn)動(dòng),是一種在精神領(lǐng)域帶有理性色彩的現(xiàn)代迷信。從北京到地方,有相當(dāng)一批高層次的人信奉法輪功之說并為其鳴鑼開道、搖旗吶喊。這些人分為三部分,一是自然科學(xué)工作者;二是大學(xué)教授;三是離退休干部。像這種不斷發(fā)展的現(xiàn)代迷信,在近代的確少見。其次,趙樸老曾說過:“凡事貴在反求諸己”。對(duì)于李洪志,我可以用八個(gè)字來概括:“聰明絕頂,膽大包天”。李洪志的法輪功理論不在于體系上有多么博大精深,而在于簡(jiǎn)捷、有力,敢說敢干敢騙,以致一些學(xué)歷很高的人都信從其說。我曾對(duì)大學(xué)里的法輪功信眾說:“我為你們迷倒于法輪功而痛心疾首。你們的教主席卷了多少信眾的錢財(cái)?shù)矫绹k理了綠卡,你們知道嗎?”然而卻得到平心靜氣的回答:“這沒有什么,美國有著許多迷途的‘羔羊’正等待著他去度化呢!”對(duì)此我簡(jiǎn)直無話可說,感到包括陳星橋的文章在內(nèi),一切的理性討論與爭(zhēng)辯在他們面前顯得是那么蒼白,無濟(jì)于事。所以我認(rèn)為:法輪功是一種由民間迷信形式發(fā)展到了最高階段的現(xiàn)代迷信。

  妙華:法輪功如僅從其只言片語上看,不無閃光的東西,但在總體上缺乏成體系的思想構(gòu)架。我曾同王雷泉和陳兵先生探討過這個(gè)問題,我們可以給它下個(gè)定義,叫“相似佛法、附佛外道”,如將它定義為民間宗教那是抬高了它。其實(shí)李洪志不過是運(yùn)用了一些佛教名詞,是一種線型的說教,不可能導(dǎo)人于正道和覺悟,只會(huì)增加人們思想觀念的混亂。

  法輪功為什么會(huì)發(fā)展得如此迅速,一些老百姓為什么不接受真正的佛法卻信從李洪志的偽說? 我看有以下幾個(gè)方面的原因:

  1.長期以來,祖國傳統(tǒng)文化受到了不應(yīng)有的漠視與破壞;包括許多高級(jí)知識(shí)分子在內(nèi),在佛法知識(shí)方面都是“法盲”,在精神領(lǐng)域表現(xiàn)出饑不擇食的傾向;

  2.佛教界在弘法觀念、弘法機(jī)制與弘法方式上比較保守,滯后于社會(huì)的發(fā)展;

  3.人民群眾在氣功熱中已不滿足于或動(dòng)或靜、一招一式的功法,亟于尋求功法后面的理念。

  客觀地講,法輪功給佛教信眾的思想帶來了很大的沖擊,使佛教蒙受了不白之冤。我們應(yīng)反求諸己,并著重劃清與法輪功的界限。有些官司打不清,其他事情做多了并不一定好。

  盧?。?/strong>談到給法輪功如何定性與佛教界如何對(duì)待,我覺得要考慮更深層的問題。世界宗教在近現(xiàn)代發(fā)生了許多變化,各國也有不同的宗教政策。比如談到中韓日三國佛教黃金紐帶,與我國佛教界保持友好關(guān)系的日本立正佼成會(huì)、創(chuàng)價(jià)學(xué)會(huì)等都屬新興宗教,日本佛教的日蓮系,如從傳統(tǒng)佛教的眼光來看也是異端。中國佛協(xié)應(yīng)考慮如何與這些新興宗教打交道的原則和策略。幾十年來人們比較關(guān)注五大宗教的問題,而民間宗教和信仰在中國一直有其傳統(tǒng),因此我們也應(yīng)考慮相應(yīng)的對(duì)策,如一味從降魔衛(wèi)道的角度出發(fā)似不甚妥。其實(shí)法輪功與一些新興宗教創(chuàng)教之初的情形很相似,因此處理上應(yīng)慎重。我認(rèn)為正如妙華法師所說,目前在宣傳上劃清與它的界線,區(qū)分它是不是佛教即可,或者將其定為附法外道。

  何云:我認(rèn)為不能將法輪功與日本日蓮宗等新興宗教派別作簡(jiǎn)單對(duì)比。因?yàn)槟切┬屡d宗教家有強(qiáng)烈而真誠的宗教情感與動(dòng)力,而李洪志就像張獻(xiàn)忠似的人物,是利用宗教以追求財(cái)富、勢(shì)力的最大化,沒有多少宗教感可言。

  游驤:下面我講一點(diǎn),看對(duì)大家能否有所啟發(fā)。對(duì)法輪功我只是翻閱了它的幾本書,同時(shí)也接觸了一些學(xué)法輪功的人,包括我的一些親戚朋友。我以為,法輪功貶低、歪曲佛法,引起佛教界的義憤、批判,理所當(dāng)然。研究法輪功問題,自然是仁者見仁,智者見智。

  何云:妙華講的對(duì)我很有啟發(fā)。法輪功對(duì)于自然科學(xué)家、學(xué)者教授都未能解決的一些問題卻作了深入淺出、“直指人心”的解答,當(dāng)然他的那些說法是沒有實(shí)證檢驗(yàn),也無法去證實(shí)。世上最難的是解答有關(guān)人自身的問題,特別是心理、精神問題。法輪功對(duì)現(xiàn)代社會(huì)出現(xiàn)的一些道德問題作了直接的規(guī)勸,如講真善忍,講修德,認(rèn)為德是一種白色物質(zhì),隨著人的行為的善惡而增減。他利用佛法,卻歪曲、貶低佛法以抬高自己,說自己是最高的佛法,以它的方式來滿足人們面對(duì)各種精神界問題的需要,如解決各種煩惱、信仰危機(jī)、精神寄托等的需要,這是它得以迅速傳播的一大原因。佛法博大精深,但許多人不懂,卻從李洪志那里找到了解答。人們有超現(xiàn)實(shí)的追求,這是個(gè)復(fù)雜的問題,一些人轉(zhuǎn)而從李洪志那里得到了精神寄托。沒有李洪志,便會(huì)有張洪志,這是不以人們的善愿為轉(zhuǎn)移的事。

  法輪功確有無知及歪曲、貶低佛教、把佛教信眾拉去的一面,但另一方面卻使一些本不懂佛法的人也開始認(rèn)為佛法了不起。所以我們從佛教角度考慮,首先要將其與佛法劃清界限,又要注意不因批判、處理的不當(dāng),傷害相當(dāng)多的法輪功弟子的感情,使他們?cè)谇榫w上產(chǎn)生與佛教界的對(duì)立。當(dāng)然如果國家有關(guān)部門給其定性,作出處理,那是另一回事,我們當(dāng)然堅(jiān)決擁護(hù)。我們要做的是與法輪功劃清界限,有針對(duì)性地弘揚(yáng)正法,使法輪功弟子在佛法上分清邪正。

  妙華:問題是,不是佛教界傷害了法輪功信眾的感情,而是李洪志首先傷害了廣大佛教徒的感情。

  徐玉成:法輪功對(duì)佛教傷害很大,我早有所聞。1996年10月,我到哈爾濱時(shí)聽說陳星橋居士寫了一篇評(píng)論法輪功的文章,于是讓他整理出來給我。為慎重起見,我將該文報(bào)趙樸老審閱,趙樸老批示同意在《研究動(dòng)態(tài)》上發(fā)表。后來樸老聽說有許多高層人士學(xué)法輪功,于是指示請(qǐng)吳立民先生看一下。吳老看后亦表示可以發(fā)表,于是我便將陳文刊于1997年《研究動(dòng)態(tài)》第2期,文章刊出后反映很好,有許多人紛紛來索取。例如,北京一位在某科研單位工作的女士,信了法輪功后,多次來找我們辯論,說法輪功好。 后來我把《研究動(dòng)態(tài)》第2期陳星橋的文章給她看,她改變了看法,也不來辯論了。證明這篇文章的社會(huì)效果是很顯著的。

  我認(rèn)為,法輪功與國外的新興宗教不一樣,因?yàn)閲獾母鞣N宗教的理念、教義和宗教活動(dòng)、宗教信息直接進(jìn)入社會(huì)生活和大眾媒體,人們對(duì)各種宗教有一個(gè)基本的常識(shí)性認(rèn)識(shí),因此對(duì)各種新興宗教有一個(gè)基本的判斷、辨別能力,那種沒有宗教感的迷信思想,很難風(fēng)靡一時(shí)。但是在我國,從佛教界來說,雖辦有25種刊物,但總發(fā)行量加在一起不足12萬份,而且基本上限于寺院和部分佛教徒內(nèi)重疊發(fā)行,對(duì)社會(huì)基本上沒有造成影響。不少群眾,包括一些高級(jí)知識(shí)分子,對(duì)什么是佛教,什么是佛教的基本教義一無所知,缺少對(duì)誹佛謗佛各種邪說的鑒別力和免疫力,一旦類似法輪功這樣的偽佛法,以某種救人、度人的面目出現(xiàn),又有公開傳播的場(chǎng)所和渠道,很多人很快就被折服了,因此可以說法輪功是在“法盲”或“宗教盲”普遍存在的情況下發(fā)展起來的,應(yīng)該說是一種很不正常的現(xiàn)象。

  一些人因此被導(dǎo)入地下和旁門左道,產(chǎn)生了種種迷信充斥、失控的現(xiàn)象。法輪功利用了人們的“法盲”,是一種有組織有理論的迷信,對(duì)國家對(duì)佛教都有著極大的危害,對(duì)它不容妥協(xié)。法輪功不僅謗佛,而且糟塌一切傳統(tǒng)文化,李洪志把自己吹的比孔子、老子還高,是現(xiàn)代無所不能的神人,完全是一種現(xiàn)代個(gè)人造神運(yùn)動(dòng),而這種造神運(yùn)動(dòng)竟然得到一些有知識(shí)、有身份的人的垂青和認(rèn)可,豈不是個(gè)極大諷刺!從這點(diǎn)來說,法輪功是“假氣功謗文化,真迷信非宗教”的現(xiàn)代迷信。因此,對(duì)法輪功與佛教的關(guān)系問題,要寫出一些有理有據(jù)的文章加以廓清是十分必要的。法輪功是罵佛、謗佛,對(duì)信教群眾造成極大傷害,問題十分嚴(yán)重。

  妙華:法輪功罵佛、謗佛,前提是“用佛”。

  游驤:我們要掌握兩個(gè)區(qū)分:第一、我們之所以要著力澄清、批判,是因?yàn)樗鼮E用、歪曲、貶低乃至丑化佛教與佛法,而不是在佛教刊物上以佛法為標(biāo)準(zhǔn)去批判不符合佛法的思想、觀點(diǎn)和主張,去批判在佛教看來的“外道”,因?yàn)樗б馕廴?,我們才必須澄清,劃清界限?/p>

  第二、在定性問題上,個(gè)人意見可以充分發(fā)表,作為中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)的表態(tài)必須慎重。作為中國佛教協(xié)會(huì)的表態(tài),作為會(huì)刊上發(fā)表的文章,均不宜出自我們的口率先定它為“邪教”。因?yàn)椤靶敖獭钡亩ㄐ?,是政府部門的事情,不是佛教團(tuán)體的權(quán)限。“邪教”不只是一個(gè)批判性的概念,還是一個(gè)政治、法律概念。佛教徒當(dāng)然要弘揚(yáng)、維護(hù)正法,但不能以佛教的正與邪來判定其為“邪教”。根據(jù)政府有關(guān)部門的意見,邪教至少具有三個(gè)特征,一是打著宗教旗號(hào),即以宗教組織面目出現(xiàn);二是秘密結(jié)社;三是有反動(dòng)政治圖謀和大量的違法犯罪活動(dòng)。據(jù)此,法輪功是否定為“邪教”,應(yīng)由政府有關(guān)部門調(diào)研確定。總之,在劃清佛教與法輪功的界線上,我們要有高度責(zé)任感,不能含糊,要為人先;在對(duì)其定性上,我們不為人先,不做超前越權(quán)的事。

  吳立民:大家談得很好。去年鄭頌英居士給我寫信,要求批判法輪功,還寄來了他作了批注的法輪功的書籍,我轉(zhuǎn)給了《法音》編輯部。徐玉成等同志也找我探討過法輪功問題,這的確是個(gè)大問題。法輪功歪曲、利用佛教,當(dāng)然是邪教。它是利用氣功界的混亂發(fā)展而形成的。歷史上的白蓮教等民間宗教都有一個(gè)貢高我慢的特點(diǎn),即貪嗔癡慢疑的“慢”,慢到了極點(diǎn)。它好像是“佛慢”,但并不是真正的“佛慢”。李洪志利用了中國禪宗中的狂禪,也講破執(zhí)著,符合了一些人的心態(tài),發(fā)展起來挺厲害的?!奥卑l(fā)展至極必然自是非他,貶低排斥他教。對(duì)這些民間宗教或新興宗教如果不予以足夠的關(guān)注,采取適當(dāng)對(duì)策,后果將十分嚴(yán)重。另一方面,“文革”對(duì)傳統(tǒng)文化造成了極大的破壞,人們的認(rèn)識(shí)與心態(tài)比較混亂,而正當(dāng)?shù)淖诮痰貌坏接行У男麄?,從而使法輪功能歪曲佛法,似是而非、以假亂真。

  對(duì)正法弘揚(yáng)不夠,佛教自身應(yīng)負(fù)責(zé)任;另一方面有關(guān)行政部門也有責(zé)任。信仰市場(chǎng)若被邪教勢(shì)力操縱,發(fā)展起來對(duì)國家將構(gòu)成一種潛在的危險(xiǎn)。

  我們平時(shí)與廣大信眾接觸較多,深知信眾追求解決精神信仰方面的問題的心情是非常強(qiáng)烈的。我們學(xué)習(xí)十五大報(bào)告,怎樣才能高舉鄧小平建設(shè)有中國特色的社會(huì)主義的旗幟呢?研究、解決好宗教問題是一個(gè)很重要的方面。我想對(duì)待法輪功問題,佛教界應(yīng)反求諸己,政府有關(guān)部門也要反求諸己。反思?xì)v史都要反思自己,才能起到反思的作用和效果。

Memorandum of 'Symposium on Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong Issue'

Editor's notes:

In January 1998, the Buddhist Association of China held a high level symposium on Falun Gong issue. This was a very important meeting, which the Chinese Buddhist circle  made a serious  response to the aggressive challenge of  Falun Gong expansion, and was once again mobilized and prepared to take concerted action against Falun Gong cult. Participants of the symposium were all accomplished and highly respected leaders of the Chinese Buddhist circle. They thoroughly analyzed the various vicious activities of Falun Gong in cheating the public, harming the society and slandering Buddhism with a rational attitude of care and precision, and called on the government to stop the growing of Falun Gong immediately with deep concern. The memorandum of  "Symposium on Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong Issue" Held by the Buddhist Association of China published here is virtually the formal call to arms and declaration of the entire Chinese Buddhist circle to be at daggers drawn with Falun Gong.

Falun Gong had always been trying to win popularity by hoodwinking the public in the disguise of "Buddha dharma", and Li Hongzhi had always been cheating and grabbing money in the name of "Master Buddha". Therefore, they both hated and feared the orthodoxy and authoritative Buddhist Association of China, attempting to resisting the exposure and criticism from the Buddhist circle by beguiling words and sophistry as well as by "taking the route of higher level". Li Hongzhi used to instigate his backbone members to jointly writing letters of accusation of the Buddhist Association of China. Apparently, the Chinese Buddhist circle used to be the No. 1 conqueror over Falun Gong.

On the afternoon of January 13, 1998, the Buddhist Association of China summoned its leaders as well as experts and scholars to discuss the question of how to understand and deal with Falun Gong. The participants included You Xiang, vice secretary-general of the Buddhist Association of China; Wu Limin, head of China Research Institute of Buddhist Culture (CRIBC); Master Miao Hua, vice director of the academic department of CRIBC; Xu Yucheng, director of the multi-research department of CRIBC; He Yun, editor-in-chief of Buddhist Culture magazine; Lu Xun, vice director of the Voice of Dharma magazine; and Kulapati Chen Xingqiao, vice secretary-general of the Buddhist Association of Harbin.

The symposium was chaired by the vice secretary-general You Xiang. He said in recent years, the development of Falun Gong has caused the attention of the government and all walks of life, and the local Buddhist circles have responded to it as well. Articles criticizing Falun Gong were published on Guangming Daily, "Research Update" of the Buddhist Association of China, "Taizhou Buddhism" of Zhejiang Province, etc. And our Association used to refer to the problems of Falun Gong specifically to the government departments concerned . Some years ago, several books on Falun Gong were published by regular publishing houses. Later, those books were regarded as "promoting superstition and pseudo-science" by the General Administration of Press and Publication of China and were ordered to be taken over and sealed up. It is said that Falun Gong books are published in other places such as Hong Kong, Sydney, and New York.

Since Falun Gong not only borrows Buddhist terms but also belittles and slanders Buddhism, severely distorting Buddhadharma for its own purposes, it has inevitably aroused the indignation in the Buddhist circle. Therefore, we are here today both to express personal views as well as to discuss the way of making known the position of our Buddhist Association towards Falun Gong.

Chen Xingqiao: I will say something first about what I know about Falun Gong and the research I did on it. As early as in 1994, some friends of mine tried to persuade me into practicing Falun Gong. I listened to a speech of Li Hongzhi in Harbin at the time, and found out that though his speech was much welcomed, it sounded ridiculous to anyone clear-minded. So I thought it might be something temporary. As soon as people see through his tricks, the fever over Falun Gong would disappear. That's why I didn't pay much attention to it. Unfortunately, it develops even more rapidly these years, not only distorting and slandering Buddhism, greatly hurting the feelings of the Buddhists, but also wavering the orthodoxy belief of some followers. So I specially bought a number of Falun Gong books in the second half of 1996 for study, and wrote an article entitled Discovering the True Colors of "Falun Gong" - a New Folk Religion, which was published in the 2nd issue of 1997 of Research Update of the Buddhist Association of China. Therefore, I know quite much about Falun Gong, and to this day I still think it is a kind of heathendom or a cult attaching to Buddhism with the characteristics of folk religion. In the recent half year, I've gotten to know some new information about Falun Gong. Firstly, the Research Institute of Qigong Science of China wrote a report on the Falun Gong issue of Li Hongzhi and nullified the registration of "Falun Gong" by the end of 1996 in the annual examination. The report revealed many problems with Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong, many of which related to Buddhism. If we do not make a clear distinction from Falun Gong and state clearly our attitude towards Falun Gong to the pertinent departments, we shall be in a very disadvantageous position. Secondly, I find out that although Falun Gong has been criticized by some newspapers and publications and its books have been banned, its membership with the Research Institute of Qigong Science of China having been cancelled, and Li Hongzhi himself having gone abroad, Falun Gong research societies and local instruction centers are still very active, establishing an underground network. There are also many officials and advanced intellectuals that believe in it. So the problem is rather serious. I'm afraid that it is not to be solved by simple criticism and administrative means. Thirdly, we can hear such news now and then as some Falun Gong practitioners die as a result of refusing to treat their diseases, in which Buddhism is also wrongly accused of. This should also be noted by relevant departments. That's why I think today's symposium is very necessary and timely.

Lu Xun: Li Hongzhi established a "Falun International" organization abroad, and set up a homepage of "Practicing Falun Dafa" on the Internet. Some websites home and abroad propagandize it. Some people sent emails to the Voice of Dharma magazine asking about Falun Gong. Some advanced intellectuals in China even voluntarily translated the books of Li Hongzhi into English and French. The Voice of Dharma magazine has received some articles propagandizing Falun Gong and defending Li Hongzhi. Last year, we once thought of publishing some articles criticizing Falun Gong. On second thought, we think that most of the Falun Gong practitioners are good. They are just taken in and cannot tell Falun Gong from orthodox Buddhism. If we start a large-scale criticism from the very beginning, the effect may not be satisfactory. Therefore, since last year, we published several articles introducing Buddhist meditation and "qigong" in succession in the Voice of Dharma for the purpose of a positive guide. The recent situation shows that Falun Gong has big influence in many places, and the Buddhist circle has always been expecting the Voice of Dharma to make known its position and clarify the mind of the followers. So we are planning to publish some articles commenting on Falun Gong with good arguments and detachment in the Voice of Dharma this year.

He Yun: As editor of Buddhist Culture, I have known something about Falun Gong from telephone calls and articles and letters from the readers as well as from the acquaintance with friends in all walks of life quite long ago. I've also read the article written by Chen Xingqiao, I think it basically acceptable but quite detached and lacking sufficient strength. In my opinion, Falun Gong is a quite advanced god-creating folk movement as well as a kind of modern superstition with some conceptual color in the spiritual field. From the capital to other places in China, quite a number of high-ranking people believed in Falun Gong, clearing the way and cheering for it. These people can be divided into three groups: one is natural science workers; another is university professors; and the third is retired officials. Such a kind of developing modern superstition is rather rare in modern times. Moreover, Master Zhao Puchu once said, "It is important to check on oneself. As for Li Hongzhi, I can summarize in one sentence that the cleverest is the most daring. It is not that the Falun Gong theory of Li Hongzhi is how profound systematically, but is that it is short-cut, powerful, daring to say anything and do anything and tell any lies, so even many well-educated people would believe in it. I once said to Falun Gong practitioners in universities "I hate so much that you are so obsessed with Falun Gong. Do you know how much money has your hierarch grabbed from the followers and got a green card in the United States" However, what I heard was a calm reply "it's alright. There are many lost 'lambs' in the United States waiting for his salvage." What else can I say! All rational discussions and contentions, including the article of Chen Xingqiao, seem so pale and powerless in front of them. So it is my view that Falun Gong is a most advanced modern superstition evolved from folk superstition.

Miao Hua: Some fragments of Falun Gong may be reasonable, but it lacks a systematic framework of thoughts on the whole. I used to discuss this issue with Mr. Wang Leiquan and Mr. Chen Bing, and we might define it as "imitation of Buddhadharma, heathendom attaching to Buddhism". Indeed, defining it as a folk religion is an elevation of it. Actually, Li Hongzhi only borrows some of the Buddhist terms, and his preaching is kind of linear, which is impossible to guide people onto the right way or enlighten them; rather, it can only add to the confusion in people's mind.

Why is Falun Gong developing so quickly And why  people don't accept true Buddhadharma but believe in the fake theory of Li Hongzhi? I think the following aspects are to be taken into account:

1. For a long time, the traditional culture of our country has been undergone undue disregard and destruction. People, including many advanced intellectuals, are so ignorant of Buddhadharma that they show a tendency of being willing to accept anything in the spiritual field.

2. The Buddhist circle is rather conservative in the idea, system, as well as means of promoting and upholding the teaching of Buddha, failing to keep up with social development.

3. In the fever for qigong, people are no longer satisfied with simple bodily movements or meditation but are eager to discover the ideas behind them.

Objectively speaking, Falun Gong gives a great shock on the mind of Buddhist followers and makes Buddhism suffering injustice. We should check on ourselves and focus on making a clear distinction from Falun Gong. Some cases are difficult to judge, and some actions may not be helpful to take.

Lu Xun: As for the questions of how to define Falun Gong and how should the Buddhist circle treat Falun Gong, I think that further thinking might be necessary. In modern times, religions in the world have changed a lot, and different countries have different religious policies. For instance, when we talk about the "golden link" of Buddhism among China, Japan, and South Korea, the Rissho-Kosei-kai and Soka Gakkai of Japan which keep a friendly relationship with the Buddhist circle of China are both newly developed religions, and the school of Nichiren in Japanese Buddhism is also a heresy from the viewpoint of traditional Buddhism. The Buddhist Association of China should consider the principles and tactics in dealing with these newly developed religions. For decades, people have paid more attention to the five major religions, but folk religions and beliefs have deep-rooted traditions in China, so we should consider relevant measures as well. It seems not too appropriate to stress beating the evil and guarding the orthodox only. Actually, Falun Gong is rather similar to the situation of the early stage of some newly developed religions, so we should be more prudent in dealing with it. I think that just as what Master Miao Hua said, at present, it is enough to make a clear distinction from it and make sure whether it is Buddhism or not, or define it as heathendom attaching to the Dharma.

He Yun: I think that we cannot simply compare Falun Gong with the Nichiren school of Japan and other newly developed religions, for those new religionists have strong and sincere religious emotions and motives, but Li Hongzhi is only working for his own interests, pursuing the maximum of wealth and power in the disguise of religion. There is little religious feeling in him.

You Xiang: There is still one thing that I want to point out. See if it can give you some illumination. I have read some of the Falun Gong books, and have known some people practicing Falun Gong, including some of my relatives and friends. I think that as Falun Gong belittles and distorts Buddhism, it is natural that the Buddhist circle would criticize it with indignation. The research on Falun Gong remains open to question.

He Yun: I'm inspired by what Miao Hua said. Falun Gong explains many questions that natural scientists and scholars and professors could not answer with simplicity and straightness. Of course, his theory is not tested, and cannot be tested. The most difficult questions to answer in the world are questions about man himself, the psychological and spiritual ones in particular. Falun Gong gives people straightforward advice with regard to the moral problems in the modern society, such as focusing on "truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance", on moral training, saying that morality is a kind of white substance that would increase or decrease as a result of one's good or evil behavior. He utilizes Buddhadharma, distorting and derogating it to elevate himself, posing himself as the highest Buddhadharma and satisfying people's needs with his own ways when people are faced with various problems related to the spiritual field, such as various worries, belief crisis, inner resources, etc. This is an important reason for the quick spread of Falun Gong. Buddhadharma is so profound, but many people don't understand it. Instead, they find answers from Li Hongzhi. People all have surreal pursuits. It is complex. Some people just turn to Li Hongzhi and find some spiritual sustenance. So there will always be Li Hongzhi or Zhang Hongzhi or the like. This is not something to be changed at our kind wishes.

Indeed, Falun Gong is ignorant about Buddhism, and it distorts and derogates Buddhism and takes over many Buddhist followers; however, on the other hand, some people who were ignorant about Buddhadharma before also start to regard Buddhadharma as something great. So from the point of view of Buddhism, while making a clear distinction between Falun Gong and Buddhadharma, we should also be careful not to hurt the feelings of most of the Falun Gong practitioners as a result of improper criticism and disposition which would cause opposing feelings in them toward the Buddhist circle. Of course, if relevant government departments would determine its nature and dispose of it, that would be a different matter, and we should definitely support that. Our responsibility is to make a clear distinction from Falun Gong and uphold the orthodoxy Buddhism with a clear objective, thus enabling the Falun Gong practitioners to tell right from evil in the sense of Buddhadharma.

Miao Hua: The question is, it is not that the Buddhist circle hurts the feelings of Falun Gong practitioners; rather, it is Li Hongzhi who hurts the feelings of our Buddhists in the first place.

Xu Yucheng: I've heard long before that Falun Gong has done great harm to Buddhism. In October 1996, when I was in Harbin, I heard that Kulapati Chen Xingqiao wrote an article commenting on Falun Gong, so I asked him to give me a ready copy. In order to be more careful, I reported this article to Master Zhao Puchu first for his review, who agreed to publish it on the Research Update. Later, when Master Zhao heard that many people of high position practiced Falun Gong, he instructed to give the article to Wu Limin for review. Master Wu also agreed to publish it. So I published Chen's article on the 2nd issue of Research Update in 1997, after which there came in very good feedbacks, and many people came to ask for the article. For example, a lady working at a science research institute in Beijing came and argued with us many times before when she started practicing Falun Gong, giving Falun Gong much praise. Later, I asked her to read the article of Chen Xingqiao in the 2nd issue of Research Update. After that, she changed her views, and never came to argue with us again. So the article has been proved to have remarkable social effect.

In my view, Falun Gong is different from those newly developed religions abroad. In foreign countries, ideas, doctrines, activities, and information of various religions enter social life and mass media directly. People usually have a general idea about the basic knowledge of different religions, so they are able to make a basic judgment about various newly developed religions. Superstitious ideas without religious feelings are hard to popularize. However, in our country, in the Buddhist circle alone, although there are 25 publications, their total circulations are not more than 120,000 copies, overlapping with each other within the scope of temples and part of the Buddhists, exerting little influence on the society. Many people, including some advanced intellectuals, know nothing about the doctrines and basic concepts of Buddhism, thus lacking the immunity or the discriminating ability against the evil theories derogating Buddhism. As soon as pseudo Buddhadharma like Falun Gong appears in a manner of saving people and spreads in public places and through public channels, many people would be easily taken in. So we can say that Falun Gong develops under the circumstance that there are too many "Dharma illiterates" or "religion illiterates", which is a very abnormal phenomenon.

Some people, as a result, were guided onto the wrong way, and the development of superstitions began to lose control. Falun Gong takes advantage of people's ignorance of Dharma and is a superstition with organization and theory, seriously jeopardizing the country and Buddhism. So compromise is not to be tolerated. Falun Gong not only derogates Buddhism, but also slanders all traditional culture. Posing himself higher than Confucius and Laotze, Li Hongzhi appears like an all-mighty god of the modern time. This is entirely modern individual god-creating movement. Isn't it ironic that such a god-creating movement should ever been welcomed and recognized by those who are well educated or with high social ranks? In this sense, Falun Gong is a modern superstition that slandering human culture in the name of qigong. It is no religion, but true superstition. Therefore, considering the relationship between Falun Gong and Buddhism, it is very necessary to write some articles with sound arguments to make a clear distinction. Falun Gong abuses and derogates Buddhism, greatly hurting the religious public. So the problem is very serious.

Miao Hua: The premise of Falun Gong in abusing and derogating Buddhism is "utilizing Buddhism".

You Xiang: We should handle with care in the following two questions. First, the reason why we would focus on clarifying and criticizing is that Falun Gong abuses, distorts, slanders, and even defames Buddhism and Buddhadharma. We should not criticize ideas, opinions, and assertions that do not comply with Buddhadharma in Buddhist publications or criticize "heathendom" as against Buddhism. We clarify and draw a clear distinction only because it terribly contaminates Buddhism.

Second, on the question of defining its nature, personal ideas may be expressed freely, but the Buddhist Association of China should be cautious in showing its attitude. Neither in declaring the position of the Buddhist Association of China nor in the articles published on the association journal should we first define it as a "cult", for the power of determining a "cult" is with government departments, not Buddhist organizations. "Cult" is not only a concept used in criticism, but is also a political as well as legal term. Of course, Buddhists should uphold and safeguard orthodox, but we cannot judge a "cult" by the standard of orthodox and evil in Buddhism. According to opinions of certain government departments, at least the following three characteristics are common in cults 1. appearing in the disguise of religious group, or in a religious name; 2. establishing secret organization; 3. having reactionary political plots and carrying out tremendous illegal and criminal activities. So whether Falun Gong is a "cult" should be determined by government departments after investigation. To summarize, we should have a great sense of responsibility in making a clear distinction between Buddhism and Falun Gong, daring to take the lead and showing no ambiguity. When it comes to the question of defining its nature, however, we should not stand out or do anything beyond our power.

Wu Limin: Today's discussion is great. Last year, Kulapati Zheng Songying wrote to me and sent me Falun Gong books on which he put comments, asking for criticism on Falun Gong. I turned them to the editors of the Voice of Dharma. Xu Yucheng and some other people used to discuss the question of Falun Gong with me too. This is really a big issue. Falun Gong distorts and utilizes Buddhism. Of course it is a cult. It takes advantage of the confusion in the qigong circle and develops itself. Folk religions like the White Lotus in the history all had one characteristic in common posing itself on a higher place than others and derogating others, the same as "conceit" in "desire, anger, ignorance, conceit, and doubt". That's really top conceit. It seems to be "Buddha conceit", but not true "Buddha conceit". Li Hongzhi utilizes the "arrogant Zen" in the Zen school and talks about breaking attachment, coinciding with some people's state of mind. That's why its development can be so nasty. The peak of "conceit" is inevitably affirming oneself and negating others, derogating and rejecting other religions. If these folk religions or newly developed religions are not given enough attention, or if no proper measures are taken, the results could be very serious. On the other hand, the "Cultural Revolution" terribly devastated the traditional culture. People's understanding and state of mind are quite in a mess, but orthodoxy religions are not propagandized effectively. That's why Falun Gong could succeed in distorting Buddhism with his seemingly right nonsense and take the place of truth with lies.

The Buddhist circle should be responsible for the lacking of effort in upholding the orthodoxy Buddhism, while some administrative departments are responsible too. If the field of belief were dominated by the evil power, its development would be a potential risk for the country.

We have much contact with the followers and are very clear about the eagerness of them to solve the problem of religious beliefs. We have studied the Report of the 15th National Congress of the CPC, so how can we uphold high the banner of building socialism with Chinese characteristics? Serious study and satisfactory solution of the question of religion is a very important aspect. I think that for the question of Falun Gong, not only the Buddhist circle should check on itself, but the relevant government departments should also check on themselves too. For the purpose of effective recollection, when we think back to the history, we should all think back to ourselves.

(Kaiwind, January 1998)

分享到:
責(zé)任編輯: