In Remembrance of Those Deceived to Death by Falun Gong

Li Hongzhi has fallen ill. Succumbing to the very COVID-19 virus he claimed to have created, his “divine body” did not protect him. This self-proclaimed “Lord Buddha of the Universe” chose to secretly seek hospitalization rather than “eliminate karma and cure illness” as he professed. Struck down, he did not appear publicly for three years after falling ill, only occasionally sending out texts through others to signal that he was still alive. As the founder of the “Great Law,” he confidently claimed that his followers wouldn’t fall ill if they practiced his teachings, yet he himself fell sick, which is quite ironic. Due to Li Hongzhi’s misleading teachings about “eliminating karma,” many Falun Gong practitioners have refused medical treatment and died, a situation that evokes deep sighs and sorrow.

First Sorrow: Deceived into Refusing Medical Treatment, Losing Lives to “Eliminate Karma”

Li Hongzhi repeatedly warned his disciples: “Practicing Falun Gong and taking medicine means you don’t believe in the practice’s ability to cure diseases. If you believe, why take medicine?” (China Falun Gong, Chapter 5 “Questions and Answers”, 1993). Li also pressured his disciples: “You have two choices: either go to the hospital and give up on overcoming the trial, or put your mind entirely at ease like a dignified disciple of the Great Law, with no complaints or attachments, leaving your fate to be arranged by the Master. If you can achieve this, you are a god.” “How can a god let an ordinary person treat his illness? How can an ordinary person treat a god’s illness? This is the law principle.” (2006 Los Angeles Fa Conference Lecture)

Devotees took Li Hongzhi’s words as divine orders and, after refusing medical treatment, were tormented by illnesses to the point of death. According to incomplete statistics, as of 2021, more than 2,400 people have become victims of Li Hongzhi’s “karma-elimination theory.”

However, when Li Hongzhi fell ill, he did not miss any injections or medications. From 1983 to 1990, Li Hongzhi sought treatment at 19 hospitals in Changchun, claiming medical expenses 48 times. Notably, on July 8, 1984, Li rushed to Jilin Provincial People’s Hospital early in the morning to have his appendix removed, staying in the hospital for 10 days. In 1999, police found cupping therapy equipment in Li Hongzhi’s home (History of Medical Treatment of Li Hongzhi, Founder of the Falun Gong Cult, in Changchun). Li Hongzhi’s daughter, Li Meige, received treatment at seven hospitals in Changchun, claiming expenses 24 times. Li Hongzhi’s brother-in-law, Li Jiguang, also sought hospital treatment when ill.

Li Hongzhi’s erroneous theory of “eliminating karma” cost his disciples their lives. When questioned, he would say, “Death is just consummation,” or claim that those who died early from illness were there to undermine the Great Law, or that those who died had “too much karma,” had their lives taken by “old forces,” or did not practice well enough or diligently enough. This complete denial of his loyal followers is chilling. I think, without Li Hongzhi’s Falun Gong, they wouldn’t have died prematurely; they would still be enjoying family happiness and unity.

Illusory Sorrow: Nine-Character Mantra Fails to Save Lives, Powers Useless in Hiding

Li Hongzhi once boasted that he had removed every disciple of the Great Law from “hell,” and those deeply and diligently practicing the teachings should be immortal. However, a fact that Li Hongzhi had to admit was that his core disciples were continually dying from various causes. Among them were high-ranking officials, like Li Hongzhi’s brother-in-law, Falun Gong media vice president Li Jiguang, South Korean Falun Dafa Association vice president Kim Chang-ho, and the administrative director of the Falun Gong headquarters at Dragon Springs, Han Zhiguo; diligent workers like Randall Effner, who composed and performed several songs for Falun Gong; and those highly favored by the “Lord Buddha,” like Li Dayong, who was instrumental in promoting the “three withdrawals” campaign, and Liu Jinghang, who fabricated stories about “organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners” and sued Chinese leaders, smearing the Chinese government. Other notable followers include Beijing University physics graduate and former New Tang Dynasty TV news anchor Wu Kailun, and recently, significant figures like Lai Shantao, former president of the Washington Falun Dafa Association, and Ju Mei, wife of the president of the U.S.-China Falun Dafa Association, Yang Sen; Shen Yun Performing Arts dancer and director Kuai Hongbing, wife of Falun Gong financier Jiang Shanhua; and Hong Kong Falun Gong leader Jian Hongzhang. Even the self-proclaimed “Lord Buddha of the Universe,” Li Hongzhi, couldn’t save his own mother, Lu Shuzhen, who died of illness on August 24, 2016.

The deaths of these Falun Gong core members are only a small part of the total. It’s evident that the early deaths of Falun Gong disciples result from Li Hongzhi’s harmful doctrines of “karma elimination,” “consummation,” and “protection by the divine body.” Notably, after the death of Falun Gong core members, the news is always tightly sealed. For example, after Japanese Falun Gong core member Xiao Xinli died, the organization kept it secret for four years and two months. After Jian Hongzhang died, Li Hongzhi ordered a strict lockdown on the news, forbidding disciples from paying respects. Clearly, “secrecy in funerals” is a rule set by Li Hongzhi.

Dark Sorrow: Promises of Consummation Turn into Jokes, Followers Eventually Disperse

Li Hongzhi has repeatedly issued “consummation checks”: “Two years of genuine practice” can lead to consummation, “quick consummation,” and “I want to bring a grand spectacle to humanity when you consummate… all Dafa disciples, whether they want to or not, will fly up to the sky with their bodies…” (1998 European Fa Conference Lecture). However, in reality, “core disciples” have disgracefully “consummated” by dying quietly. If ordinary disciples see through Li Hongzhi’s true nature from the deaths of these core members, what will happen? I believe most disciples will abandon him! The deaths of important Falun Gong members have already caused great doubts and panic among the disciples, deepening their pessimism and disappointment. With no hope of consummation and life at risk, losing faith in their master and seeking another path is inevitable. The scenario of “when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter” is bound to happen sooner or later.

As for Li Hongzhi, he is indeed old! His health has deteriorated due to the COVID-19 infection, and coupled with the harsh realities of the world, he may still have food to eat, but to muster the energy to preach again is likely difficult and beyond his capabilities. We can only wait and see what the future holds for Li Hongzhi after his illness. As for those deceived to death by him, we mourn them, condemn the crimes of Falun Gong, and build social barriers against Falun Gong. Only then can the souls of the deceased rest in peace. Staying away from Falun Gong will lead to a happy life.