The movement has amassed so many followers it has posed a threat to the Communist Party, who fear any organized group they cannot control, said Frank Lu, founder of the Hong Kong-based Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China. It's a very big problem for the Communist Party, Lu said. I think there's a bigger crackdown now because there's so many members. Falun Gong was founded in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, who lives in New York. In addition to promoting spiritual healing through daily exercises, the sect teaches frugality and abstinence from liquor and tobacco.
Many followers shun modern medicine as a means to cure illness.
Huang said he began practicing Falun Gong three years ago as an escape from his hectic life as a software engineer for San Jose-based Xilinx. It has really brought me a lot of health benefits and helped me gain a peaceful mind, he said. Zhao said she also feels physically stronger and more relaxed since she started practicing Falun Gong. The exercises, she said, helped her get through the past two weeks.