This book is the first to offer a full explanation of what Falun Gong is and where it came from, placing the group in the broader context of the modern history of Chinese religion as well as post-Mao China. Falun Gong began as a form of qigong, a physical and mental discipline based loosely on traditional Chinese practices "invented" in the 1950s by members of the Chinese medical establishment who were worried that China's traditional healing arts would be lost to Western medicine. Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi started his own school of qigong in 1992, claiming that the movement had become corrupted. Li quickly built a nationwide following, but ran afoul of China's authorities and relocated to the United States in 1995. In his absence, followers in China began to organize peaceful protests, as China's leaders began to realize that they had created a potential threat to their own legitimacy and control.--From publisher description.

Originally published: 2008.

Introduction : Qigong, Falun Gong, and the crisis of the post-Mao state -- A history for Falun Gong -- The creation and evolution of Qigong -- The life and times of Li Hongzhi in China, 1952-1995 -- Falun Gong outside of China : fieldwork among diaspora practitioners -- David meets Goliath : the conflict between Falun Gong and the Chinese State -- Conclusion: Unpacking contexts.