The primary Falun Gong text, Zhuan Falun, is structured as a series of lectures that set out a comprehensive system of moral and spiritual cultivation. At its heart stand the principles of Truthfulness (Zhen), Compassion (Shan), and Forbearance (Ren), presented both as the fundamental nature of the universe and as the standard for human conduct. The text elaborates a cosmology in which multiple dimensions and spiritual realms exist, and human life is framed as a process of returning to a higher, original state through disciplined self-cultivation. Within this framework, reincarnation, spiritual evolution, and different levels of enlightenment are discussed as part of a larger, ordered cosmos.

A central theme is the relationship between virtue (de) and karma, described as distinct moral substances that shape a person’s destiny. Zhuan Falun explains how suffering, illness, and misfortune are linked to karma, and how genuine moral improvement is understood to transform this karmic burden. The text encourages practitioners to eliminate attachments such as jealousy, the urge to show off, and a competitive mentality, treating these as obstacles to spiritual progress. Letting go of human desires and negative thoughts is portrayed as essential for purifying one’s character and ascending to higher spiritual levels.

Zhuan Falun also sets out a theory of “dual cultivation of mind and body,” in which internal moral refinement takes precedence, while physical exercises serve as supportive methods. The book describes the Falun, or Law Wheel, as an energy mechanism rotating in the lower abdomen, associated with the transformation and purification of the body’s internal energies. Five sets of qigong exercises—combining meditation and gentle movements—are outlined, yet the text consistently emphasizes that moral character is more important than technique. Supernormal abilities are acknowledged as possible byproducts of cultivation, but the reader is cautioned against seeking them, as such pursuit is said to hinder genuine elevation.

In terms of daily life, the teachings extend beyond formal practice to encompass family, work, and social relationships. Practitioners are urged to maintain xinxing (moral character) in all circumstances, resolving conflicts with honesty, integrity, and forbearance. The text offers guidance on aligning conduct with Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, while discouraging hatred, revenge, greed, and the pursuit of fame and profit. Through this combination of cosmology, ethical instruction, and practical guidance, Zhuan Falun presents Falun Gong as a path of systematic self-purification aimed at transcending the cycle of reincarnation and achieving higher states of being.