Statement of Alex Hamrle: Changchun, May 13, 2002 – From a European’s Viewpoint

On May 13, 1992, exactly ten years ago, a qigong master introduced his cultivation method to the public here in Changchun's Victory Park. This same qigong master was born on May 13, 1951 close to Changchun and had spent most of his life there. His journey is magnificent: the essence of his journey consists of assimilating one’s daily life to the principles of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. Because of these principles, within the span of seven years, the number of followers of his school “exploded” to approximately 100 million people! At first the Chinese state showered him with many high honours – nowadays, only foreign countries award him and his school high honours!

I am speaking of Mr. Li Hongzhi and his Falun Gong. But if anyone in China these days lives by and publicly affirms the principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance it can mean a death sentence [to that person].

It was less than a year ago that I discovered Falun Gong in Austria. The principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance deeply touched me and I decided to let them be the guiding force in my life. I recognized that all belief systems are contained and united in these three principles. Soon, after I became aware of the persecution against practitioners in China. It very much surprised me: why are those citizens in China persecuted because they want to become good people? Should society not protect those people whose attributes are good? Why is it that those people who wish to be good citizens are being persecuted?

Could it be that there is something hidden somewhere? Falun Gong practitioners spoke of unjust suppression and persecution – how would the opposition see this? To discern the circumstances, I contacted the Chinese Embassy [in Austria]. I received a stack of informational materials and was invited to a personal interview and to an exhibition. I was astounded that not one single argument by Chinese embassy officials withstood scrutiny: Why is Falun Gong persecuted in China?

The answer they presented to me was photos of indeed horrible scenes – cut open and mutilated bodies – blood everywhere. “These are Falun Gong practitioners,” I was told. “Falun Gong is a bad, undesirable group consisting of murderers and people who commit suicide.” Then they referred me to a video portraying a self-immolation incident of Falun Gong followers. It is precisely this video that has now been proven to be a government-staged attempt of the Falun Gong opposition to discredit the genuine Falun Gong. How can that which is the basis for all religions in the world be called an undesirable group? How can one reconcile the foundation of all religions in the world, Truth-Compassion-Tolerance, to be associated with murder and suicide? Falun Gong is practised in over 50 countries around the world. Nowhere else in the world do Falun Gong followers commit suicide or murder others. Falun Gong is even taught in schools in some of those countries. How could it be possible that only Mainland Chinese would be unable to grasp these clear concepts? My suspicion rose that the officials are trying to deflect attention away from the persecution.

Now it was the embassy officials’ turn to be astounded. “Well, actually the teachings are good,” one admitted, but added that “there is no general persecution on the part of the Chinese government, and there are no forced labour camps. Those are all rumours created with the aim to damage the Chinese society.” How can it be that organizations, relying solely on private donations and endeavouring to bring to light misconducts around the world, not merely in China, would make it their goal to damage the Chinese people? Don’t tortured and escaped Falun Gong asylum seekers also give testimony to the fact that the persecution is real? Was the persecution ever instigated by the Chinese people themselves? Aren’t 100 million followers in China proof that this describes a profoundly Chinese issue? Did the Chinese ruling party per se ever persecute Falun Gong or was it [done] at the directive of a single individual at the head of the Chinese government? Looked at it realistically, did this one individual, for interests of political and personal greed, exploit the ruling party?

At that the embassy officials had nothing more to say.

The persecution not only oppresses Falun Gong practitioners, but also persecutes the very principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance. This fear among embassy officials and their being speechless, is reason for further considerations: Can the principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance ever be conquered? Has the persecution not actually already come to an end because all available means [for suppression] have failed? Is the persecution kept alive with the effort of a few who have committed grave and immense sins against Truth-Compassion-Tolerance? What will become of those individuals when the persecution is finally over?

Who could judge this situation any better than the Chinese people with their varied and turbulent history? Don’t the majority of the Chinese people know in their hearts that this persecution is bad, is unjust and that Falun Gong is good? Isn’t there a last chance for the unprecedented opportunity to alter the superficial, bad opinions?

Why am I turning to you today with this matter? The principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance weigh heavy on my heart. These principles also encompass trust, honesty, justice, honour, kindness, respect and humanity. These attributes form the foundation for my beautiful cooperation between friends, family, at the work place and in society. But these Fa principles encompass much more: they relate to health, long life, technology, progress, productivity and economics, peace, security, beauty and well being, concepts that are also the foundation of any orthodox religion. As soon as we commit ourselves to orient our lives according to them, life takes a turn and becomes harmonious and better.

These principles therefore contain the basis for a serene, secure and peaceful life. They contain the key to the kind of life we can wish for our children; and they are a key after which we have desired. These principles encompass all virtues. As often as I view these principles I become starkly aware how my life has changed since I began to practise. The change is really enormous. And immediately I have to ask myself the question: “How many more layers are yet to be discovered in these principles?” I am eternally grateful to Mr. Li Hongzhi for publicising these principles and for my good fortune to learn them. By the same token, I have the highest regard for the land of China and her culture, which has been steeped and rooted in Falun Gong for several thousand years.

May this event be an impetus for you to get to know the principles of Falun Gong.

(Original text in German)