Falun Gong
Spiritual Warfare and Martyrdom

Focuses on Falun Gong and the teachings of Li Hongzhi and its effects on the practice of brutalization and martyrdom.

James R. Lewis (Author)

9781108445658, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 May 2018

102 pages
17.2 x 12.7 x 0.6 cm, 0.13 kg

'The book will be of interest to scholars studying the pay-offs of martyrdom, as well as Sinologists and researchers of new religious movements. The most appreciative readers may be investigative journalists delving into the hidden side of Falun Gong. That is because Lewis has a captivating style and invites the question of what other secrets Falun Gong may be hiding.' Heather Kavan, Nova Religio

Falun Gong, founded by Li Hongzhi in 1992, attracted international attention in 1999 after staging a demonstration outside government offices in Beijing. It was subsequently banned. Followers then created a number of media outlets outside China focused on protesting the PRC's attack on the 'human rights' of practitioners. This volume focuses on Falun Gong and violence. Though the author notes accusations of how Chinese authorities have abused and tortured practitioners, the volume will focus on Li Hongzhi's teachings about 'spiritual warfare', and how these teachings have motivated practitioners to deliberately seek brutalization and martyrdom.

Subject Areas: Buddhism [HRE], Asian history [HBJF]