According to Chinese state-run media reports, as well as some Western analysts, the Falun Gong spiritual group in China was long ago wiped out by the ruling communist regime.
But a large number of greetings sent on the occasion of a recent Chinese holiday show that not only is the practice alive in China, it appears to be flourishing amidst the regime’s persecution.
Over 1,500 greetings were sent from practitioners of Falun Gong in China to Falun Gong founder Mr. Li Hongzhi in the lead up to the Mid-Autumn Festival earlier this month. They were posted on Minghui.org, a Falun Gong Web site.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the most important holiday in the Asian lunar calendar, other than the New Year. Celebrated when the moon is at its brightest, the festival is traditionally a day when friends and family gather to eat moon cakes and commemorate the summer harvest. This year’s festival was on Oct. 6.
Falun Gong adherents regularly send greetings to Mr. Li via Minghui.org during Chinese holidays, but the numbers appear to be growing. The Mid-Autumn Festival greetings came from all parts of China, including remote and rural areas. Many include elaborate Chinese art or even multimedia. Some come from people who do not practice Falun Gong, but believe that it has had a positive impact on Chinese society and therefore wish to thank Mr. Li for teaching it.
