The Beginnings
Falun Dafa has an ancient history. It was passed down over the ages from a single master to a single disciple in each generation. The disciple would later have a disciple of his own, to whom he would pass on the teachings, thereby quietly passing the practice down throughout history.
In 1992, Mr. Li Hongzhi (referred to respectfully by practitioners as "Master" or "Teacher") first taught Falun Dafa publicly in the city of Changchun, China, and then continued to lecture all across the country. Those who attended experienced such profound benefits that they told friends and family. As a result, the number of practitioners grew very quickly, solely by word of mouth. By 1998, at least 70 million people had taken up the practice in China alone.
Today, Dafa is practiced and cherished by over 100 million people in over 100 countries, and has received a plethora of honors.
More About the Practice
Cultivators of Falun Dafa strive to cultivate their xinxing [mind-nature, or character] and remove their attachments to become kinder, more honest and more patient people. The higher one is able to elevate xinxing, the deeper the understanding one has of the teachings presented in Zhuan Falun (Falun Dafa’s primary text).
Falun Dafa practitioners cultivate themselves while living normally in the complex environment of secular society. People of all nationalities, races, socio-economic backgrounds, gender, ages, occupations, and different faiths are welcome to practice, and do so entirely of their own free will, at their own pace, and for as long as they choose.