Falun Gong and the Future of China

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Falun Gong and the Future of China is a 2008 book by David Ownby, published by Oxford University Press.

Contents

Scott Pacey of the Australian National University described the book as "a comprehensive overview of Falun Gong both as a set of religious beliefs and as an organized group of devotees." [1] Michael L. Mickler of the Unification Theological Seminary wrote "Despite its title, the book deals very little, if at all, with the future of China." [2]

Mickler stated that academics with modern Chinese history and/or new religions will have "particular interest" in the work although it is also "accessible" to the lay public. [2]

Background

The author had conducted field work among people within North America who were a part of the Falun Gong movement. [3]

Contents

The initial portion of the book discusses the group's history. [1] The book also discusses the general qigong fever from which the Falun Gong originated, as well as how the movement portrays itself in media like the Epoch Times , [4] and anti-Falun Gong media created by the Chinese government. [3]

Joseph Kahn of The New York Times wrote that Ownby did not have access to Chinese government officials, nor secret Chinese government documents; additionally Ownby did not have access to Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi. [5]

Ownby stated that the work is not in favor of Falun Gong nor is it meant to attack the Falun Gong. Hong You of Chicago wrote in The Journal of Religion that "Ownby's take in this study, if not harshly critical of Li, is not laudatory either". [6]

Reception

Pacey stated "Scholars and students interested in Chinese religion will find much to profit from this book." [7]

Hong You stated that the book is "an objective appraisal". [6] According to Hong You the average public and academics in Chinese and religious studies would appreciate the book. He also believed that Falun Gong members would appreciate the book and find ways to restructure the movement through "constructive criticism coming from an academic work." [8] You argued that despite the title, the work does not talk much about the future of China, making this "My only criticism". [8]

Kahn wrote "his narrative does not offer many new insights into the fears and aspirations of either side" and that "His contention that Falun Gong belongs to a tradition dating to White Lotus is credible." [5]

Mickler stated that the work "is a major contribution toward our understanding of" the Falun Gong. [2]

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References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Pacey, p. 157.
  2. 1 2 3 Mickler, p. 118.
  3. 1 2 Pacey, p. 158.
  4. ↑ Pacey, p. 158-159.
  5. 1 2 Kahn, Joseph (22 August 2008). "Book Review | 'Falun Gong and the Future of China', by David Ownby" . The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  6. 1 2 You, p. 591.
  7. ↑ Pacey, p. 159.
  8. 1 2 You, p. 592.


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