Falun Dafa: Forging spiritual connection with thyself

Nagpur: The name ‘Falun Dafa’ intrigues many, but for its followers it is as simple as drinking a glass of water.

For the ignorant, it is an ancient spiritual system of mind and body based on the principles of ‘truthfulness, compassion and tolerance’.

Falun Dafa Association of India (FDAI) is hosting ‘Falun Dafa Art Exhibition’ at Darda Art Gallery, Ramdaspeth, from December 23 to 25. Since its debut in July 2004, it has toured over 900 cities in 50 countries worldwide.

The origin

Having its roots in China, the practice of Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) began in 1992 when its founder Master Li Honghzi, a religious leader, decided to make it public. Considering its physical and spiritual benefits, Falun Dafa soon became popular across China. So much so that by 1999, around 10 crore i.e. 8% of then 125-crore Chinese population, started practising it. The total members of Communist Party of China (CPC) then was around 6.5 crore.

FDAI spokesperson Neha Shah said the CPC initially (1993 to 98) supported the movement, but seeing its growing popularity, they thought it would be a threat later. “Their government eventually banned Falun Dafa on July 20, 1999. However, it soon became popular worldwide and is being practised in more than 100 countries,” said FDAI secretary Archana Thakeria.

How it is practised

Falun Dafa forges a deeper spiritual connection with oneself. It is a mind-body practice with roots in ancient Chinese culture and with elements from Buddhist and Taoist teachings. It’s a gradual process of quieting the mind, relaxing the body and sprucing up the internal awareness.

For some, FD is Chinese yoga minus the intricate details of stretching and overarching. Its most visible aspects are five sets of movements — generally slow and gentle in nature. It’s done in standing and sitting posture (meditation). These steps effectively improve health and energy flow within the body. The practitioners also study spiritual teachings, taking them as a guide for daily life.

“The best thing is that it can be practised anywhere and anytime,” said Pradnya Kamble, a practitioner.

Nagpur connect

Introduced in India in 2000, Falun Dafa is being practised in all major cities including Nagpur. Priyanka Kanhekar, a tutor and an avid follower, said, “We are a loosely bound entity without any organisational structure. But it’s our belief that has helped us grow in numbers over the years.”

Another member of the Nagpur branch, Himanshu Petkar, says, “The ongoing exhibition is part of the effort to popularise Falun Dafa. We also had a fruitful interaction with the Government Medical College authorities in the regard.”

When asked about the source of funds to run the show, Thakeria said, “By practising Falun Dafa, we save a lot on medical expenses. We donate those to the cause.”

The exhibition

The exhibition at Ramdaspeth consists of works from internationally acclaimed artists. The artworks are all about inner beauty, strength and meditation practice. Laced with elegant designs, vibrant colours, and perfect use of shade and light, the paintings leave a tell-tale impact on visitors’ minds.