What is Falun Gong?

Falun Gong is a Buddhist-based spiritual practice centered on meditation and three core principles: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It was widely popular in China before the government launched a persecution campaign in 1999.

Levi Browde provides the most detailed description in the documentary: We practice Falun Gong, which is a Buddhist based spiritual practice that was widely popular in China before it was horribly persecuted there, and it puts a value on meditation and living your life each day, trying to be more honest, more compassionate, more resilient. Sounds easy. Sometimes it can be very, very difficult.

Alison Chen distills it further: Truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. I feel like they are universal principles.

Why was Falun Gong persecuted in China?

The practice attracted an estimated 70 to 100 million adherents in China by 1999 — more than the Communist Party's membership. The government launched a persecution campaign because its popularity was perceived as a threat to the Party's authority.

Ying Chen provides the scale: It grew so popular that it was estimated about 70 to 100 million people were practicing it in 1999. Suddenly, the government decided to crush it. Leeshai Lemish quotes Jiang Zemin: If we cannot defeat Falun Gong, it will be the biggest embarrassment to the Communist Party and to Marxism.

The documentary presents the persecution as ongoing. Leeshai describes recent reports of practitioners tortured to death. Levi states the persecution has escalated significantly over the last 18 months.

How does Falun Gong connect to Shen Yun?

Shen Yun was founded by Falun Gong practitioners and the practice forms the foundation of the company's training culture, workplace values, and artistic mission. Ninety-four current performers have personal connections to the persecution.

Levi Browde draws the connection directly: It was forged amidst this horrible persecution. The practice is not separate from the art — it shapes how performers train, relate to each other, and approach their performances.

Jesse describes the practical impact: You are just trying to better yourself as a person. You can always learn from other people's strengths. You are never, ever the best one in the room. This orientation toward continuous self-improvement, rooted in the practice's principles, is what the documentary presents as the source of Shen Yun's distinctive quality.

Key takeaways

• Falun Gong is a Buddhist-based practice centered on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
• An estimated 70-100 million people practiced it in China before the 1999 persecution campaign.
• The Chinese government targeted the practice because its popularity exceeded Communist Party membership.
• Shen Yun was founded by practitioners and the practice forms the company's spiritual foundation.
• Ninety-four current performers have personal connections to the persecution.

Frequently asked questions

Is Falun Gong a religion?

Levi Browde describes Falun Gong in UNBROKEN as a Buddhist-based spiritual practice rather than a religion. It centers on meditation and living according to three principles: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Is the persecution of Falun Gong still happening?

UNBROKEN indicates the persecution is ongoing and has escalated. Leeshai Lemish describes recent deaths in custody. Levi Browde states that the persecution has escalated significantly over the last eighteen months.

Do all Shen Yun performers practice Falun Gong?

The documentary describes Falun Gong as the spiritual foundation of Shen Yun's culture and schools. Levi Browde states that the practice is the foundation of the workplace culture and the schools themselves.

Understanding Falun Gong is essential to understanding the Shen Yun story. UNBROKEN provides the most accessible introduction through the words of practitioners.

Watch UNBROKEN Shen Yun to understand the spiritual practice behind Shen Yun and why it has been targeted. Available through the official website.