By Richard Feb. 18, 2000

I found the recent news of the 140 practitioners on hunger strike shocking and so have decided to request clarification of the reasons behind this action and to share my own understanding.

By my understanding, the undertaking of any kind of strike is a political act involving withholding something someone needs in order to provoke some favourable action. A more political shade of that is to cause some subtle political disadvantage rather than depriving someone of something they obviously want. In the case of the hunger strikes, whether the Chinese government want practitioners to die or not, it is certainly disadvantageous for them if practitioners die in police custody.

By going on a hunger strike one is essentially threatening "If you don't release me I will kill myself." Which seems to me to be a political act. Also, taking a life is a crime against the universe whether it is someone else's or your own (my understanding). Also from the point of view of Bigu, as I understand it Master Li recommended against this and so the only reason for such a method to be employed would be if being deprived of food.

While it may be said that the practitioners are defending the great law, is it possible to defend it when you are acting against it?

This is of course, all based upon my present understanding of Dafa, so if anyone would like to share their understanding with me then please do.

[2] Why Hunger Strike?

By Michael Holland 2/23/2000

I am a practitioner in the UK and am somewhat puzzled by the actions of some practitioners. Many practitioners in China seem to go on hunger strike as soon as they are arrested as if they wish to manipulate the police to release them. Surely threatening suicide in order to change the situation in which one is in is a political act and goes against accepting what Master Li has said about the path of cultivation for a practitioner being arranged by him. As I understand it, the situation in China is a result of the cosmic changes and so surely the only thing a practitioner should do is protect the law.

If one dies due to not eating, isn't that suicide? I don't refer to those practitioners who died as a result of force feeding but only to those who die from lack of food. You might say that you are dying for the law, but surely an act of suicide is against Dafa and so can't be used to protect it.

These are only my understandings, so if anyone can explain their view to me then please do.

[3] Right and Wrong ---- on Hunger Strike

By Xiaoqing February 25, 2000

I would like to share with you my understanding of the hunger strike issue.

I do not support or oppose the hunger strike. My personal opinion is that there must be a reason behind its inevitability.

Every practitioner's enlightenment of the Fa cannot all be the same or similar. Regarding the hunger strike issue, it matters little who is right or who is wrong. What is important is to calm down and examine oneself seriously.

In a certain situation, if we stick to a certain personal understanding and conception, our thoughts are easily liable to restraints.

The Buddha's Fa is boundless. Only by regarding the Fa as Master and making further advances incessantly, can one truly ascend in the Great Law.

[4] Life Is Precious. But Fa Is Invaluable ---- Also on Hunger Strike

By a Dafa practitioner Feb. 21, 2000

Recently, some people raised different opinions regarding Dafa practitioners' action of hunger strike or the subsequent deaths. In light of this, I would also like to offer a few of my thoughts for your consideration.

I believe Richard's questioning of the "hunger strike" came as a result of social environment differences. In a country ruled by law such as the United States, people can exercise whatever rights or privileges rendered by the United Nations Charter to express their opinions, and do not need to resort to hunger strike that is very damaging to their own health. In the American movie "Hurricane", after the protagonist was sentenced to life terms in prison, he could write down his unfair story and got it published after he was put in jail. Is this possible in China? Even under normal circumstances, this is impossible, let alone at the present time of unprecedented crackdown on Dafa by the authorities. The government is using the most cruel methods they can find, while at the same time making every effort to block news in order to prevent condemnation from international communities. Under such extremely brutal and isolated circumstances, Dafa practitioners are totally deprived of any rights. The situation was so abominable that most kind-hearted people in the world, even including many practitioners, can not imagine it. Under such extreme circumstances, the practitioners had no other means but to use their bodies and life to protect the Fa. Most practitioners that went on "hunger strike" were those that indeed understood the real purpose of life and the significance of the connection between life and the Fa rectification. Because they understood that "Life is precious. But Fa is invaluable", they could take such courageous and sacred actions, which manifested their great benevolence and forbearance. On the other hand, no one would like to sacrifice his/her life unless the environment is extremely harsh.

(Translated on Mar. 5, 2000)