摘要：宗教是一种悠久的社会历史现象，是一种特殊的社会意识形态。目前，我国主要有佛教、道教、天主教、基督教、伊斯兰教等五大宗教，大约有l亿多的信教群众。宗教崇拜的对象是神，有最高信仰、经典、教理、教义，教人向善，关注人们的现世生活、尊重生命、以人为本。法轮功的主要特征是教主崇拜，缺乏系统的教理、教义，散布末世论，对信徒进行精神控制，不尊重生命，秘密结社。法轮功不具备宗教的基本特点，不是宗教。
关键词：宗教 法轮功 区别
宗教是一种悠久的社会历史现象，是一种特殊的社会意识形态。宗教崇拜的对象是神，有最高信仰、经典、教理、教义，教人向善，关注人们的现世生活、尊重生命、以人为本。但是，法轮功与宗教截然不同，不具备宗教的基本特点，不是宗教。本文就宗教与法轮功的不同展开论述。
一、宗教的特点
宗教的主导方面与社会发展潮流相吻合，有益于社会的和谐、稳定。
（一）传统宗教崇拜的对象是神
宗教以佛祖、上帝、真主等“最高存在”为信仰体系的核心，崇拜的对象是神。宗教的神职人员如主教、神父、牧师、阿訇、僧人、道士等不是信徒信仰或崇拜的对象，也不许信徒对他们进行崇拜。宗教相信有神，信仰的根本要求是“爱神爱人”，崇拜对象都是超人间的神和去世的古人，如佛教的弥勒佛和释加牟尼、道教的太上老君和张天师、基督教的耶和华和耶稣、伊斯兰教的安拉和穆罕默德等。宗教的神职人员并不是神本身或神的化身，因此，不被人们作为神来崇拜。而且，宗教的创始人没有一个称自己为神，宗教不以活人为教主，宗教崇拜的神不是某一个现实的、具体的人，而是最高的精神实体和绝对存在物，是抽象的、彼岸的神，宗教崇拜超人间的“神”，宗教的神职人员只是神的仆人。在宗教中，神与人不能混为一谈，即使是德高望重的神职人员也不能自称为神。
（二）有最高信仰、经典、教理、教义
各种宗教都有自己的最高信仰、经典、教理、教义，构成了其理论学说体系。信徒通过佛教的《大藏经》、道教的《道德经》、基督教的《圣经》、伊斯兰教的《古兰经》等宗教经典的熏陶，可以提高自身的文化素质和道德素养。宗教都具有精深的文化思想和规范的戒律，信仰有神但强调理性教化，宗教信仰反映了信教群众的精神寄托和追求，宗教都有自己的世界观、社会观、人生观、价值观，是支配人们日常生活的外部力量在人们头脑以超人间的形式作出的虚幻反映，同时又将其人格化；表现为宗教教徒对这种外部力量的崇拜、敬畏以及精神上的寄托和追求。
在长期的历史发展中，各宗教都形成了一套特有的宗教信仰、宗教感情和与之相适应的系统的、完整的宗教理论、教义、教规，教义，以其教义的博大、精致、深邃来吸引信众。在长期的宗教实践中，宗教形成了一整套崇拜仪式和其他宗教活动的仪轨，是公开的、开放的。作为监督和指导，这些仪轨为信众所信守。
宗教有严格的宗教组织和宗教制度，宗教组织是经过政府正式注册登记的合法社会团体，宗教组织按照其教规章程在国家宪法和法律范围内从事正常宗教活动和有益于社会的公益活动，是受法律保护的合法社会团体。宗教力求与国家政权相协调，在社会生活中发挥民间团体的辅助作用。
（三）教人向善
各种宗教都具有教人向善的特性，引导信徒弃恶从善，净化社会，净化人伦。宗教的教义、教规都提倡圆融、劝人为善、讲和睦相处、主张和平、仁爱、公正、谦让、宽容、理性、注重道德、乐于兼容、善于互补，教义、教规中具有真、善、美方面的和谐因素。如：佛教要求信徒信仰经、律、论三藏，讲“五戒十善”、“慈悲救世，提倡“诸恶莫作 ,众善奉行”, “不为自己求安乐 ,但愿众生得离苦”； 道教提倡“怜恤孤儿 ,救济贫民”；基督教教义的核心是爱，上爱天主，下爱世人；伊斯兰教称“信道而且行善者是乐园的居民”等。
长期以来，宗教的教义、戒律成为维护社会生活秩序的共同道德规范。释迦牟尼在创立佛教时，就提出了“众生平等”的道德思想，主张对人乃至一切生灵施以“慈悲”，用“无边无限的爱的光芒照亮万物”。穆罕默德早在创立伊斯兰教的初期就以反对部落之间残杀，主张穆斯林皆兄弟的仁慈和平等的道德思想，受到广大群众的支持和拥护。宗教信徒的“善行”，是对真善美的追求，对人的心理起到调适作用，帮助遭受挫折的人消除心理压力，平衡心理需求，给予人们生活的勇气和力量，有利于调节人与人之间的关系，有利于家庭和睦和社会稳定。宗教之所以源远流长、经久不衰，就是源于其劝善为仁的伦理感召。宗教以积极的态度、超凡脱俗的精神致力服务于社会，使人的精神境界得到升华。宗教教人行善积德，济世助人，谦恭宽容，和平仁爱，与现代社会所崇尚的美德是相同的。宗教都有乐善好施、扶危济困的优良传统。宗教在一定程度上，起着规范人们思想行为的作用。一些教义、教规、宗教道德中要求的不凶杀、不偷盗、不奸淫、不贪财、不抢劫、不妄语等戒律；平等爱人，救苦救难等慈悲济世等精神，劝人为善，要为在今世多做好事，今世积德，来世好报的美德；“两世吉庆”，服务人类的生活态度等都对人们的思想产生积极影响。佛教界倡导的“庄严国土，利乐有情”的人间佛教；道教界倡导的“慈爱和同，济世度人”的生活道教；天主教的“爱国爱教、敬主爱人”，基督教的“爱国守法、荣神益人”，伊斯兰教的“命人行善，止人作恶”等。虽然说法不尽相同，但都是引导信徒与社会相适应，教人向善，睦邻和亲，奉献社会。
宗教提出的忍耐平等、博爱，有利于和顺，消除不满情绪。使人达到内心平和。我国的宗教都具有爱国爱教的优良传统，都有维护社会稳定的教义主张，都倡导信徒融于社会，服务社会，造福人群，维护社会和谐，拥护中国共产党的领导，拥护社会主义制度。
（四）关注人们的现世生活
宗教的教义除强调世界末日、神的救赎和追求天国幸福之外，还关注人们的现世生活，给人们以安慰、劝勉和鼓励，如基督教教人博爱、忍耐、宽容，佛教教人慈悲、救人、宽大，伊斯兰教要求人们团结、友爱、文明礼貌等。宗教力求与社会相适应，随着社会的发展，不断改革自身，积极倡导服务社会，造福人类。佛教讲慈悲，“无缘大慈，同体大悲”，怜悯一切有情众生。道教受老子“尊道贵德”和“报怨以德”的思想影响，十分重视道德善行在修道中的关键作用。南北朝时期有儒、佛、道三教之争，最后达成共识，便是三教虽异，同归于劝善。所谓“三教”，实质是指三种道德教化之道。所以，中国传统宗教的本质特征是“道德宗教”，所谓“神道设教”，目的在于淳厚社会道德风气。这种道德宗教传统也影响到中国的佛教、基督教和伊斯兰教，使其教义中的道德内涵逐渐得到充实和凸现，强化了它们的社会道德教化功能。
（五）尊重生命，以人为本
所有的宗教都是以尊重生命为根本，提倡以人为本、强调热爱生命。佛教认为人身难得，要珍惜生命，人身宝贵，生命宝贵，要利用有限的生命，广行善事，广结善缘，轻生自残，从根本上破犯了佛教的根本大戒——不杀生戒。宗教虽然认为祈祷与修炼对于人的身心有所帮助，但不主张忌医拒药。道教对中国的医药方面还作出过巨大贡献。道教中确有以强身健体、祛病延年为目的的内修功法，这些内修的功法都是在对人体经脉、精气神具有非常深刻的认识并同时继承前人经验的基础上，通过数十代高道的体验不断总结而逐渐形成的，在修炼时必须是由名师口授心传，循序渐进以达到长生。为此，道教在医药学、养生保健及个体生命的修炼方面进行了不懈的理论探索和实践，出现了如葛洪、陶弘景、孙思邈等一大批卓有成就的大道士、医学家、思想家。佛教“五明”（五种学问）中的“医方明”指医学和药学，不少高僧都精通医药止血，为病人治病。各种宗教都以“不杀生”为首戒。戒律中以杀生为根本重罪。道教认为，尊生贵德才是正道。伊斯兰教认为，生命是“真主”的恩赐，应该珍爱生命，尊重生命，积极进取，奋斗人生。反对轻生和自杀行为，认为自杀是犯罪，自杀者将在火狱中受难。
二、法轮功的主要特征
“法轮功”与佛教、道教等宗教有明显的区别，是典型的邪教组织。
（一）教主崇拜
与宗教截然相反的是法轮功崇拜的对象是教主李洪志，是人。信奉的神是具体的、至今还活着的教主，把教主直接神化为神，甚至最高神加以崇拜。李洪志自封为神，说自己具有超凡入圣的大神通，甚至有驱神役鬼的法力，信徒们对教主无条件崇拜。李洪志吹嘘自己是“出世千年不遇，万年不遇”，“四岁时接受佛家独传大法第十代传人全觉法师亲自传功”，具有隐身、搬运、定物、思维控制等各种各样的特异功能，法身无数，能决定地球爆炸与否及其时间，能度人去天国，是唯一能把整个人类超度到光明世界中的救世主，全世界只有他一个人在公开传正法，在末劫时期最后一个把它弘传出来，自称佛祖转世。不惜篡改出生年月，称是释迦牟尼佛祖转世，自称拥有神功。李洪志自称是超越于凡人的“神”，借以神化自己，吸引信众。声称自己高于释迦牟尼、老子、耶稣，能主宰宇宙，是降临在当今地球上的唯一救世主，只有他能把“不可救药”的人类度到另外的“美好世界”去等等。称自己高于释迦牟尼、老子、耶稣，能主宰宇宙，是降临在当今地球上的唯一救世主。
（二）缺乏系统的教理、教义
法轮功缺乏深厚的历史文化积淀，冒充、盗用、贬低宗教，充分利用佛教、道教在老百姓心中的影响，从中摘取片言只语，揉合而成。法轮功盗用象征佛法的“法轮”作为其功法的名称，窃取佛教核心概念，标榜自己是高于佛祖释迦牟尼的最高的佛，是救世主。还盗用了佛教的“法身”、“三界”、“不二法门”、“业力”、 “白业黑业”、“末法”、“去执着心”、“护法”等概念。
“法轮”是佛教的专用名词，作为对佛法约定俗成的喻称，作为佛教徒对所奉佛法和教理的赞誉词，寄托着信众深厚的宗教感情。法轮功与佛教没有内在联系；李洪志虽然借用了佛教的一些概念，但这些概念都被他改头换面，不再是原来的意义。佛教并不讲“宇宙大法”，但李洪志称“法轮是宇宙的智慧”，这种说法佛教中是没有的。法轮功虽然打着宗教的旗号，但它既非传统上的佛教，也非道教。李洪志竭力贬低其他宗教的神祗，只有他才是宇宙最高层次的神，传出的才是最完整的佛法。在修炼者眼中，李洪志就是宇宙中至高至圣的主佛，对他五体投地无限崇拜。李洪志盗用宗教却竭力贬损宗教，一方面声称是释迦牟尼的转世，用“佛法无边”欺世，另一方面又侮辱和亵渎宗教，称他是比释迦牟尼、老子、耶稣还高的救世主。李洪志对各宗教进行贬低和亵渎，私改自己的出生年月，表明自己是“如来佛”再世，自吹“比释迦牟尼的功力还要大几十万倍”，是“最高的佛”、“救世主”等等。 李洪志宣称自己是佛家的修炼法门，但又不是佛教等宗教。
法轮功缺乏系统的教理、教义，宣扬神秘主义，制造恐怖心理和紧张气氛，达到蛊惑人心、控制成员的目的。李洪志称所著《转法轮》是指导修炼的“天书”，内涵至深至广，百看不厌，万读有益，上面的每个字都是他的“法身”形象，都是“法轮”的形象，是给修炼者登天的一部“天梯”。李洪志称修炼者会得到他的“法身”保护，得到“法轮”保护，只要是真修，就不会出现任何危险，并且修的结果是“功成圆满佛道神”。
（三）散布末世论
“世界末日论”是所有邪教的基础，法轮功宣扬人类已进入“末法时期”，“社会道德败坏”，“要有魔出现祸乱我们常人社会”，唯有“法轮大法”是拯救全人类的“超常大法”，引起社会不稳定，企图达到其不可告人的政治目的。法轮功蒙骗世人以自杀求得“圆满”，这根本就是制造罪孽。法轮功让人们放弃正常的生产生活，破坏社会秩序。李洪志的世界末日毁灭之说，整个地球都要爆炸了，整个世界都要毁灭了，唯有跟着我教主才能升天，才能脱离这些灾难，把信徒置于一种极端恐惧和疯狂的精神状态下，以进一步加强对信徒的绝对精神控制。法轮功宣扬“末世论”、“地球爆炸论”，大谈人类毁灭，制造社会恐慌。鼓吹世界末日即将来临、修炼法轮功是避免世界末日的唯一方法等，与伪宗教理论一脉相承。
（四）对信徒进行精神控制
李洪志曲解宗教教义，对练习者实施精神控制，通过谎言、骗术、心理暗示等诱导方法，对信徒进行“洗脑”，使他们丧失正常理智，实现精神控制。信徒必须遵循“精神领袖”的旨意而行动。不仅控制人的行动，而且也控制人的精神，这种控制突出地表现为法轮功的绝对排他性。一些练习者在“圆满”成佛的蛊惑下，深陷法轮功难以自拔。
法轮功内部法则高于正常的社会法规，使信徒脱离正常的社会，失去家庭和朋友的帮助。法轮功要求练习者向家人和社会隐瞒真相，抛弃家人，远离社会进行秘密的非法聚会。利用引诱、洗脑、恐吓等手段对法轮功练习者进行精神控制，李洪志要求法轮功练习者只能修炼法轮功，修炼要专一，说只有修炼法轮功才能提高“心性”，才能上层次。要求法轮功练习者放下“名、利、情”，“放下生死”，才能“最后圆满”。李洪志在《悉尼讲法》中讲修炼要专一的问题时说：“我认为修炼要专一！……在佛教中叫不二法门。”李洪志说的不二法门就是只能修他的法轮功，看他的书，信他的话，学他的“法”，不能涉及其它的内容。而佛教中的不二法门是指万法都有其共同的本质，是“不二”的，甚至一切对立的法在本质上也有同一不二的法性，因此才有佛法中的“万法归一”之说。透悟法性就是入“不二法门”。[1]用狂热的宗教情绪，使信徒处于高度兴奋状态，以便进行精神控制。
（五）不尊重生命
法轮功鼓吹练功习法不用看病，宣称人有病、有难是前世业债造成的，是在“还业”，不要去医院，修炼“法轮大法”才能“消业”，吃药不能治病。法轮功痴迷者置亲人、家庭于不顾，只求自身的所谓“升天圆满”，甚至发展到引火自焚的可悲地步。
法轮功蛊惑练习者为了升入天堂或者追求圆满而舍弃生命，甚至残害生命。不顾家庭，不顾亲情。法轮功痴迷者把与自己意见不一致的人看成“魔”。为了求得自己所谓的“圆满”和进“天国”，有病不让医，有药不能吃，甚至抛妻弃子。杀亲弑父，使千万个家庭失去了和睦和幸福。说一个人生病时不应采取医疗措施，而是忍受疾病。因为忍受了疾病之后，人们才能赎罪，这样才能达到最高境界，最终重返最高层宇宙，再次享受天堂生活。蛊惑成员为了升入天堂或者追求圆满而舍弃生命，甚至残害生命。一些练习者在“圆满”成佛的蛊惑下难以自拔。
李洪志自己在生病时却坚持接受治疗。1982到1992年，在长春粮油供应公司工作期间，共有73笔医疗费报销记录，其中的48笔是他自己接受治疗的记录。1984年7月8日，李洪志因急性阑尾炎在吉林市人民医院进行了手术。[2]
生老病死是人生的自然规律，谁也无法逃脱。从古至今多少人进行修炼没有一个人能够长生不老。
（六）秘密结社
法轮功自称是一种松散的练功群体，但实际上采取了秘密结社的方式，组织严密、行动诡秘。1992年李洪志自封法轮大法研究会会长，设立了39个法轮功辅导总站，1900多个分站和28000多个练功点，控制着210万名法轮功练习者，形成了完整的组织系统，遍及全国各大城市。制定了一系列规章制度。是一个规模庞大，体系严密的组织，成员对教主李洪志顶礼膜拜、绝对服从。李洪志强制练习者以练功的名义，与世隔绝，甚至与亲人、家庭隔绝，形成一个“法轮功”社会。只认大法弟子，不认家人、亲人。李洪志在国外利用现代化通信手段发布“经文”，遥控下属机构，通过这些组织层层下发到每个练习者。体系严密、组织完备，未经登记注册。
三、综述
综上所述，法轮功与宗教没有共同之处，它不是宗教，而是盗用宗教的名义，歪曲宗教经典，违反宗教教义，危害宗教、社会的非法组织。应进行宗教基础知识宣传，弄清宗教与法轮功的根本区别，认识法轮功的实质和特征，以提高人们辨认、抵制法轮功的能力。
On the Difference Between Religion and Falun Gong
Xu Yongli Yang Jingjun
Abstract: Religion is a social and historical phenomenon with a long history as well as a special social ideology. At present, there are about one hundred million peoplewho believe in one of the five major religions in China, including Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Christianity, and Islam. Religion is characterized by god-worship, highest faith, sutras, and doctrines. In addition, religion calls on people to perform good deeds and to respect life and be morally good people. By contrast, the main features of Falun Gong are founder-worship, the lacking of systematic doctrines, spreading eschatology, spiritual control of the followers, disrespect for human life, and secret association. Falun Gong does not possess the basic characteristics of religion, so it is not religion.
Keywords: religion Falun Gong difference
Religion is a social and historical phenomenon with long history as well as a special social ideology. Religion is characterized by god-worship, highest faith, sutras, doctrines, and creeds. In addition, religion calls on people to perform good deeds and to respect life and to be morally good. But Falun Gong is totally different from religion. It does not possess the basic characteristics of religion and is not religion.This paper will highlight the difference between religion and Falun Gong.
First, the characteristics of religion
The dominant trend of religion is consistent with social development, and is a benefit for social harmony and stability.
(a) The object of worship of traditional religion is god
Religious figures and prophets have many names Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Moses and ask people to pray to them or through them to reach God. Religious clergies, such as bishops, priests, pastors, imams, monks, and priests, are not the objects of worship by other believers, and also the other believers are not allowed to worship these clergies.
The ultimate goal of religion is to worship the almighty and in every religion the founder may be regarded as a holy person but is not worshipped as god but merely as the facilitating link to god. Furthermore the objects of worship are unearthly gods and departed ancients, such as the Maitreya Buddha and Sakyamuni from Buddhism, Lord Lao Zi and Zhang Tianshi from Taoism, Jehovah and Jesus from Christianity, and Allah and Muhammad from Islam. The clergies are not the god itself or the incarnation of god, therefore, they are not worshipped by people as god. Moreover, none of the founders of religion call themselves god. Religion does not take living people as the founder of religion and the god being worshipped is not a real, specific person, but the highest spiritual entity and absolute existence. It is the abstract god on the other side of the world. What religion worships is an unearthly “god”, and religious clergies are just the servants of god. In religion, god and man can not be confused or be regarded as one, and even the highly respected clergy can not claim to be god.
(b) Religion contains highest faith, scriptures, doctrines, and creeds
All religions have their own beliefs, scriptures, doctrines, and creeds, which constitute the theory system of the religion. Under the influence of religious scriptures, such as the Tripitaka in sutra, the Tao Te Ching in Taoism, the Bible in Christianity, and the Koran in Islam, believers can improve their own cultural and moral qualities. All religions have profound cultural thoughts and normative precepts. They believe the existence of god but emphasize rational enlightenment. Religion reflects the spiritual sustenance and pursuit of the believers. All religions have their own world view, view of society, view of life and values. They are unreal reflections of the external forces dominating people’s daily life in the form of supra-mundane and are personified at the same time. They are reflected as the believers’ worship and fear to such external forces, and the spiritual sustenance and pursuit of the believers.
Throughout history, various religions have all formed unique religious faith, religious feelings, and corresponding systematic and complete theory of religion, creed, and religious rules. They attract believers with their profound creeds. During the long-term religious practice, a complete set of observances for worship rituals and other religious activities have been formed, which are publicized and open. As supervision and guidance, these observances are kept by the believers.
There are strict religious organizations and religious systems for each religion. Religious organizations are legitimate social institutions officially registered through the government. Religious organizations hold religious activities and public service activities which are beneficial to society in accordance with the state Constitution and laws. They are legitimate social institutions subject to legal protection. Religion seeks to coordinate with state power, and plays a supporting role in social life.
(c) Call on people to perform good deeds
Various religions all have the characteristics of calling on people to perform good deeds. They guide the followers to renounce evil and turn to virtue, to purify the society and human relations. Religious doctrines and religious rules advocate harmony, exhort people to do good, and uphold living in harmony. They also advocate peace, love, justice, humility, tolerance, reason, moral excellence, compatibility, and complementarily. There are harmonious elements of truth, goodness and beauty in the doctrines and rules. For example, Buddhism believers are required to believe in Sanzo, including scriptures, laws and theories. In addition, Buddhism advocates “Five Precepts and Ten Virtuous Deeds” , “be merciful to save the world”, “refrain from all evil and do all good” and “do not seek comfort for oneself but only wish sentient beings would be away from suffering”; furthermore Taoism advocates “show mercy to orphans and the very poor”; the core of Christianity is to love and one of the decrees is to “Love God, love common people”; Islam says, “those who believe and do good deeds are the inhabitants of Paradise”.
For a long time, religious doctrines and disciplines have been the common code of ethics in maintaining social order. Sakyamuni proposed the moral thought of “all beings are equal” when he founded Buddhism, claiming to impose “mercy” on all creatures and “illuminate all things with the light of boundless infinite love.” Mohammed was supported by the masses when he founded Islam, because he was against the slaughter among tribes and advocated the benevolent and equal moral thought that “ all Muslims are brothers”. The “good deeds” of religious believers is the pursuit for truth, goodness and beauty. It plays a very important role in adjusting people’s psychology, helping those who suffered setbacks eliminate psychological stress and balance psychological needs, and giving people courage and strength in their lives. Therefore, “good deeds” is helpful for the adjustment of personal relationship, family harmony and social stability. The reason why religion has a long enduring history is a result of its “charitable and benevolence” ethical calling. Religion is committed to serving the society with a positive attitude and the spirit of vulgarity, which sublimated people’s spiritual realm. Religion calls on people to do good and accumulate merit, to save the world and help others, to be respectful and tolerant, and to advocate peace and love. All of these are the same as virtues advocated by the modern society. With its fine tradition of charity and “help those in danger and relieve those in distress”, religion, to a certain extent, plays a role in regulating people’s thinking and behavior. Some doctrines, canons, and religious precepts require no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no greed, no robbery, and no lying. Some other attitudes have positive impacts on people’s thought, such as “equal love”, “help people in distress”, “exhort people to do good”, “to do good and accumulate merit”, “praying to Allah to give great reward in this world and hereafter”, “serve the human”. In addition, the Buddhism circle advocates a terrestrial Buddhism of “a solemn country and benefiting sentient beings”; Taoists advocate a life Taoism of “being benevolent, peaceful harmonious, saving the world and benifiting the people”; Christianity maintains “patriotic and law-abiding, glorify God and benefit man”; Islam upholds the idea of “encouraging people to do good and stop people from doing evil”, and so on. Although the statements are different, but they are all committed to guide believers to adapt to society, and to teach people to perform good deeds, maintain good relationship with neighbors, and to contribute to society.
The principles of “tolerance, equality, and universal fraternity” proposed by religion are conducive to eliminate dissatisfaction, so that inner peace can be achieved. Religions in China all have an excellent tradition of patriotism and the doctrine of maintaining social stability. They advocate believers to integrate with the society, to serve the society, to bring benefit to people, to maintain social harmony and to support the leadership of Communist Party of China and the socialist system.
(d) Concern about people’s this life
In addition to the emphasis on doomsday, salvation and the pursuit of happiness of heaven, religion also concerns about people’s this life by giving people comfort, exhortation and encouragement. For example, Christianity teaches people to be philanthropic, patient and tolerant; Buddhism teaches people to be merciful, helpful and lenient; Islam requires people to be solidary, fraternal and courteous. Religion seeks to adapt to society, reform itself with social development, actively promote service to the society as well as bring benefit to the mankind. Buddhism stresses mercy, “be infinitely merciful” to all sentient beings. Influenced by Lao Tzu’s thoughts of “respect Tao and value De” and “recompense injury with kindness”, Taoism attaches great importance to the key role of moral goodness in practice. Disputes among Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism existed during Northern and Southern Dynasties, but finally consensus was reached despite the differences of these three religions, because they share the same goal of exhortation. The so-called “three religions” actually refers to three methods of moral education in essence. Therefore, the essential characteristic of traditional Chinese religions is “moral religion”. The purpose of the so-called “ instructing according to the sacred way” is to form simple yet profound moral atmosphere in the society. China’s Buddhism, Christianity and Islam are also influenced by this tradition of moral religion, which makes the moral content of their doctrine gradually enriched and highlighted, and strengthens their function on social moral education.
(e) Respect for life and people-oriented
All religions are based on the respect for life, advocate the people-oriented concept, and emphasize the love for life. Buddhism believes that it is indeed difficult to be born as a human being, so we must cherish life and devote our finite life to performing good deeds and developing kind affinity with people. On the contrary, suicide and self-mutilation fundamentally violate the “no killing” precept of Buddhism. Although religion believes that prayer and practice are beneficial for people’s physical and psychological health, it does not advocate refusal to medical treatment. Taoism has even made great contributions to Chinese medicine. There are indeed exercises to benefit internal organs in Taoism. These exercises take shape after several generations, based on the eminent taoists’ experiences and studies about body meridians and “essence, energy and spirit” of the human body. In practice, methods must be dictated by the teacher from the heart and practitioners gradually achieve longevity. With this goal, Taoism has made unremitting exploration in theory and practice in medicine, health care and the practice of individual lives. There has been large number of accomplished eminent taoist priests, physicians and thinkers among the taoists, such as Ge Hong, Tao Hongjing, Sun Simiao. The “YiFang Ming” in the “Five Sciences” (five kinds of knowledge)of Buddhism refers to medicine and pharmacy, and many monks are proficient in medicine and treatment. All religions regard “no killing” as the leading precept and killing is a fundamental felony in the precepts. Taoism believes that “respect life and value De” is the right way. Islam believes that life is the gift from “Allah”, and should be treasured and respected by being aggressive and struggling a wonderful life. By contrast, Islam is against suicide and suicidal behavior, which are regarded as a crime. Those who committed such behaviors will suffer in the hell-fire.
Second, the main features of Falun Gong
There are clear distinctions between “Falun Gong” and Buddhism, Taoism and other religions. Falun Gong is a typical cult.
(a) Founder-worship
Opposite to religion, the object of worship of Falun Gong is its founder---Li Hongzhi, who is a human being. The god Falun Gong Believes in is a specific and living leader who is still alive. The leader is directly deified as a god, even as the highest god to be worshipped. Li Hongzhi proclaimed himself as god and claimed that he possesses supernatural power, and can even call the gods and use the spirits as servants, so the followers faithfully worship him unconditionally. Li Hongzhi boasted that “his birth” and “he was given personal instruction at the age of four by Master Quan Jue, the tenth-generation teacher of Buddhist Dafa, which is passed on to only a single disciple.” What’s more, he also said that he possesses various ESPs (Extra Sensory Perception), including invisibility, handling, fixing objects, mind control, and so on. Claiming himself as the reincarnation of Buddha, he boasted he can decide the explosion of the earth and he is the sole savior who is able to help the whole human obtain salvation in a bright new world as well as the only one in the world who is spreading the proper Dharma before Doomsday. He even changed his date of birth to make it coincide with the birthday of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, in an attempt to show that he was the “reincarnation of Sakyamuni.” In order to deify himself and attract believers, Li Hongzhi claimed himself as “an incarnation of god in human form” and beyond the human. He also claimed that he is the only savior on earth who is greater than Syakamuni, Lao Tzu, Jesus, and can dominate the universe. Only he can bring “hopeless” human to another “better world”.
(b) Lack of systematic doctrine
Without profound historical and cultural heritage, Falun Gong was fabricated with a word or two from Buddhism and Taoism. It takes full advantage of the influence of Buddhism and Taoism in the hearts of the people, and at the same time imitate, pirate, and belittle religion. By plagiarizing the Buddhist symbol “Falun” as the name of its Gong, Falun Gong stole the core concept of Buddhism and boosted himself as savior and the highest Buddha greater than Sakyamuni. What’s more, some other concepts from Buddhism, such as “Dharma body”, “three realms”, “the one and only way”, “Karma power”, “white kamma and black kamma”, “final Dharma”, “discard attachment”, and “Dharma-pala”, are also plagiarized.
As a conventional metaphor and praise for Dharma, “Falun” is a terminology of Buddhism and entrusted with the deep religious feelings of believers. Although some of the concepts are borrowed from Buddhism, but the original meaning of these concepts have been changed by Li Hongzhi. So Falun Gong has no intrinsic link with Buddhism. There is no “universal law” in Buddhism, but Li Hongzhi said “Falun is the wisdom of the universe”, which is not a concept from Buddhism. Although Falun Gong is under the banner of religion, it is neither traditional Buddhism nor Taoism. Li Hongzhi tried to belittle the gods of other religions and boasted that he is the god at the highest level in the universe and the Dharma he is spreading is the only complete one. In the eyes of practitioners, Li Hongzhi is as high and lofty Lord Buddha of the universe. They worship him with the utmost sincerity. Li Hongzhi plagiarizes the concepts from other religions, yet tries to disparage them at the same time. On the one hand, he claimed himself as the reincarnation of Sakyanuni, and deluded the world with his so-called “boundless Dharma”. On the other hand, he insulted and profaned other religions by saying that he is a savior greater than Sakyamuni, Lao Tzu, and Jesus. He even changed his date of birth to make it coincide with the birthday of Sakyamuni in an attempt to show that he was the “reincarnation of Sakyamuni.” In addition, Li Hongzhi claimed that Falun Dafa is the way of praticing Buddhism yet is not Buddhism itself.
Lacking of systematic doctrines, Falun Gong preaches mysticism, and deliberately fabricates psychological terror and tension with the purpose of confusing people and controlling the practitioners spiritually. Li said his book Zhuan Falun--- with profound connotation and ever-lasting appeal--- is a “Book from heaven” which can guide the practice. Also, every word in the book is the image of his “Law Body” and the “Law Wheel”, which is a “ladder” to heaven for the practitioners. Li assured that practitioners will be protected by his “Law Body” and the “Law Wheel”. According to his fallacy, there will not be any danger for the practitioners as long as they are pursuing the true cultivation, and a successful end will be achieved.
(c) Spreading Eschatology
“Doomsday theory” is the basis of all cults. Falun Gong preached that mankind has entered the “end of Dharma”, “society is morally corrupt”, “the devil will appear to destroy we ordinary society”, and only “Falun Dafa” can save all Humans as an “extraordinary Dafa”. The intention of all these fallacies is to cause social instability and to achieve its sinister political purpose. Falun Gong deludes some practitioners to commit suicide to seek “consummation”, which basically is murder. Falun Gong asks practitioners to give up a normal life and break social order. Li Hongzhi advocates that the end of the world is coming and the whole planet will explode. And that he is the sole savior who can help save humans send people to heaven. Putting the followers into extreme fear and a crazy state of mind, Li further enhance the absolute spirit control on the believers. Falun Gong advocates “Eschatology”, “earth explosion theory”, and talked about the human destruction in order to cause social panic. Such fallacies as “Doomsday” and “ ‘Falun Gong’ is the only way to avoid the end of the world” concocted by Li Hongzhi can be traced to the same origin as pseudo-religion theory.
(d) Mind control on the followers
By distorting religious doctrines and adopting measures such as lies, deception, psychological suggestion and other induction methods, Li Hongzhi believers are “brainwashed” which helps them lose their normal consciousness, so that he can realize spiritual control on them. The followers must abide by the will of their “spiritual leader”. Not only the followers actions are under control, but also their spirit. This kind of control is highlighted by the absolute exclusiveness of Falun Gong. Captivated by the idea of “consummation”, some practitioners are deeply lost in Falun Gong and cannot get out of it.
Inside the Falun Gong community, its own rules and regulations are higher than the normal rules of our society. Due to the requirement to conceal the truth to the family and society, Falun Gong practitioners abandoned their family and live away from the community, and hold illegal gatherings secretly. To control the minds of the practitioners of "Falun Gong," Li Hongzhi adopted the measures of enticing, brainwashing and threatening them. Li Hongzhi asked the practitioners to practice Falun Gong only, and said that only Falun Gong can improve the “Xinxing” to a higher level. Falun Gong practitioners are asked to give up “fame, wealth, Love” and “to forget life and death” in order to achieve “final consummation”. In Fa-teaching in Sydney, when talking about attention in practice, Li Hongzhi said: “ I think undivided attention should be maintained in the practice! …... it is called ‘the one and only way’ in Buddhism.” The intrinsic nature of the so-called “the one and only way” advocated by Li Hongzhi is that people can only practice Falun Gong, only read his books, only believe his words, and only study his “Law”, without touching upon other contents. But the real meaning of “the one and only way” in Buddhism is that all Dharmas are the same in essence, even for those against other, and that’s the meaning of “all Dharmas return to One Dharma”. Thorough understanding of Dharmata means entering into “the one and only way”. By using a fanatical religious sentiment, which put the believers under a highly excited state, Li Hongzhi has realized the spiritual control over his followers.
(e) Disrespect for life
Falun Gong preached that people don’t need to go to hospital if they practice the Gongfa. Li Hongzhi said that illness and misfortune are caused by karma, they are forms of karmic retribution and means of "paying karma”. Medicine cannot cure the illness, so don’t go to hospital. The only way to “eliminate karma” is to practice “Falun Dafa”. Many practitioners are so obsessed in Li Hongzhi's fallacies that they neglect kinship and family. The only thing they care about is cultivating and promoting their levels so that they might reach “Buddhahood”, some even committed self-immolation.
“Falun Gong” captivates and encourages practitioners to give up their lives, neglect kinship and family, even commit self-mutilation to help enter heaven or reaching “Buddhahood”. Those who are so obsessed with Falun Gong view people who disagree with them as “devils”. They are also deluded to refuse a doctor and medicine, abandon their wife and children, and even kill their parents. All these behaviors lead to the falling-out and unhappiness of thousands of families. Falun Gong advocates that instead of seeking medical treatment people should tolerate illness. Only by toleration can people pay their debt, reach a higher level, and finally return to the highest level of universe to enjoy life in heaven.
Contradicting with his fallacies, Li Hongzhi has sought medical help for his own illnesses. From 1982 to 1992 when Li worked for the state-owned Changchun grain and oil-supply company, he had 73 medical expense reimbursements from the government. And 48 out of these 73 were treatment he himself received. And on July 8th, 1984, Li had an operation for acute appendicitis in Jilin City People’s hospital.
Sickness and death are the natural order of life, which we can not escape. To achieve immortality, many people practiced hardships since ancient times, but all have failed.
(f) Form association secretly
Falun Gong claimed to be a loose group, but in fact it is an underground organization with a top-down rigorous secret system. Li Hongzhi’s illegal organization, the “Research Society of Falun Dafa”, was the top national organ of the “Falun Gong” organization. Li Hongzhi himself was its chairman. The “Research Society of Falun Dafa” set up 39 general instruction offices, 1,900 ordinary instruction offices and 28,000 practice sites throughout the country. More than two million people joined the “Falun Gong” organization. Thus a large-scale organization with complete system and series of rules and regulations are formed. The practitioners absolutely abide by Li’s directives, which ordered them to seclude themselves from the outside world, from their relatives and the family. As a result, they gathered to form a “Falun Gong” community, in which only practitioners of the “Dafa” can be accepted. Li Hongzhi releases his “scripture” and controls the affiliates from abroad with modern means of communication. His directives were relayed by the “Research Society of Falun Dafa” to the various general instruction offices, which then passed them to the ordinary instruction offices, practice sites and individual practitioners. So, the “Falun Gong” organization is an unregistered organization with complete and strict system.
In summary, Falun Gong has nothing in common with religion. It is not a religion, but just an illegal organization that stole some concepts from religion and distorted religious scriptures by violating religious doctrine as well as endangering religion and society. In order to improve people’s ability to identify and resist Falun Gong, basic knowledge of religion should be propagated, so that fundamental distinctions between religion and Falun Gong can be highlighted and the nature and characteristics of Falun Gong can be revealed.
[1]李安平主编,中国反邪教协会《法轮功歪理邪说剖析》，内部资料，第11—12页。
[2]《外国人眼中的法轮功》，内部资料，第32页。
【责任编辑：周原】