Within Falun Gong, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” (Zhen–Shan–Ren) functions as a comprehensive standard for inner cultivation and outward conduct. Truthfulness calls for honesty in speech and action, the avoidance of deceit and hypocrisy, and a willingness to face one’s own shortcomings rather than conceal them. It also entails seeking a genuine understanding of oneself and the world, and aligning with what is upright even when doing so is inconvenient or risky. In this way, Truthfulness is not merely a social virtue but a continuous effort to eliminate false thoughts and be genuine in all interactions.

Compassion, in this context, is more than a general kindness; it is an intentional cultivation of goodwill, empathy, and concern for the wellbeing of others. Practitioners are encouraged to let go of hatred, jealousy, and competitiveness, and to respond to others’ mistakes with understanding rather than blame or revenge. Compassion expresses itself in being considerate and helpful, maintaining benevolence even toward those who cause difficulty or harm. It invites a steady orientation toward helping and supporting others, grounded in a sincere wish that they improve and suffer less.

Forbearance is understood as the capacity to endure hardship, insult, and injustice without retaliation, while maintaining inner calm and self-control. It involves patience and perseverance in the face of provocation, pressure, or mistreatment, and the ability to bear suffering without complaint. This principle also encompasses the steady continuation of moral and spiritual practice despite adversity, whether in personal circumstances or in a broader social context. Through Forbearance, practitioners aim to remain composed and upright, allowing challenges to become opportunities for moral refinement.

Taken together, these three principles are meant to be applied not only in meditation but in every sphere of daily life—family, work, and society. Practitioners are encouraged to use Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance as constant criteria for self-reflection, measuring thoughts, words, and deeds against them. Over time, this ongoing application is seen as a path of gradual moral elevation, where character is refined through repeated choices to be honest, kind, and patient under all conditions.