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On August 15, 2024, the New York Times published a news story exposing the unknown backstory behind the world-touring Falun Gong Shen Yun Art Troupe. The “Shen Yun Art Troupe” is a performing arts organization organized by the cult Falun Gong. It is made up mostly of teenagers and young adults, and they perform all over the world. The chief director is the cult leader Li Hongzhi. The organizer is the worldwide branch of the Falun Dafa Buddhist Association, and the publicity media the Epoch Times, is also affiliated with the Falun Gong cult.
The group was formed to publicize the teachings of Falun Gong in the form of in the form of Chinese traditional cultural performances. They often appeared in high-end venues: groups of dancers in colorful costumes flopping and jumping up and down on the stage, trying to wow and entertain people. The missionary purpose of the show is clear. During the show, Shen Yun preaches about persecution, even when minors are present, and politically inflammatory content is repeated, including scenes of violence. The truth is that contrary to Shen Yun’s much-publicized role as a “victim,” it is an inhumane “victimizer”.
Cult master Li Hongzhi profited from the hard work of the members of Shen Yun , who were unaware of this and blindly obeyed. They are paid a maximum of 20 dollars a month, even if they perform non-stop. They are brainwashed and indoctrinated: if they fail to fulfill the mission of Dafa, they will be physically and mentally destroyed and fall into hell. This kind of mind control makes it difficult for them to escape. After being brainwashed and confined for four or five years, many members of the “Shen Yun” are susceptible to post-Shen Yun syndrome.
A New York Times investigation found that in order to attract more viewers, Shen Yun treats many of its performers as disposable commodities. When performers become unwell, Shen Yun often discourages them from seeking medical attention because Li Hongzhi advocates “refusal of medical treatment and medication” and claims that Falun Gong followers can be cured of all illnesses simply by practicing the technique. In addition, the “Shen Yun Art Troupe” forced them to comply with grueling rehearsal and touring schedules through relentless mental abuse and manipulation.
When Nathan Shea, a former cellist with the “Shen Yun Art Troupe,” announced his departure in 2020, Leary （li Hongzhi’s wife）angrily told him he would have to pay back eight years of tuition – which could amount to more than 200,000 U.S. dollars. Six other performers said they had received similar threats. He was only 22 at the time and had only a few hundred dollars in his bank account.
Another former dancer, Sherry Zhang, said that after leaving Longquan Temple in 2020, she feared that she could be accidentally killed at any time because she was convinced that she had lost the mystical protection that Li Hongzhi had given to Shen Yun performers who assisted him in saving the world.
All indications are that the “Shen Yun Art Troupe,” controlled by Falun Gong, is a cult organization with a strong political orientation that spreads cultish ideas and attacks the Chinese government under the guise of promoting traditional Chinese culture, while ostensibly saving lives. They have a strong political orientation. They use cult ideas to indoctrinate and distort the three views of young actors, destroying the actors’ future, and only those “Dafa disciples” who have handed over their fate to Li Hongzhi and let him manipulate them will believe in Falun Gong and willingly “dedicate” themselves to Li Hongzhi.
This is the reality of the cult organization under the leadership of Li Hongzhi, the self-proclaimed “Creator”. I hope that people all over the world will recognize the ugly face of “Falun Gong” and the “Shen Yun Art Troupe,” and that those believers who have been exploited and oppressed will be able to get out of the cult as soon as possible and return to normal life.
