Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a modern Chinese spiritual practice publicly introduced by Li Hongzhi. It arose within the broader qigong milieu and presents itself as a path of cultivation that unites disciplined bodily practice with an explicitly moral and spiritual framework. Rather than being limited to techniques for health or energy, it situates physical exercises within a larger vision of inner refinement and transformation of character.

At the heart of Falun Gong are slow-moving standing exercises and a seated meditation, often described as five sets of practices that cultivate internal energy, or qi. These exercises are intended not only to support physical well-being, but also to assist in spiritual development by calming the mind and harmonizing the body. The practice is offered without charge, reflecting the view that genuine spiritual progress cannot be bought or secured through formal hierarchy.

Equally central is a moral philosophy structured around three fundamental principles: Truthfulness (Zhen), Compassion (Shan), and Forbearance (Ren). Practitioners are encouraged to align their daily conduct with these values, to improve their moral character, and to let go of attachments and desires. In this way, ethical self-cultivation is seen as inseparable from meditative discipline, forming a single path of spiritual refinement.

Falun Gong draws on elements associated with Buddhist and Taoist traditions while presenting itself as a distinct teaching, articulated most systematically in the text Zhuan Falun by Li Hongzhi. Its doctrines speak of karma, reincarnation, and multiple dimensions of existence, framing human life as part of a much larger spiritual landscape. Over time, the movement attracted a large following in China and later spread internationally, where it continues to be practiced in various countries.

The historical trajectory of Falun Gong has been marked by both rapid growth and severe conflict with state authorities in its country of origin. After a period of tolerance, it was banned and labeled a “cult,” and practitioners have faced persecution. This tension has, paradoxically, contributed to the movement’s visibility abroad, as its adherents continue to present Falun Gong as a path of meditation and moral cultivation grounded in the triad of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.