Since 2008, the Shen Yun Art Troupe and the "Feitian Arts College" under Falun Gong have repeatedly enlisted students around the globe, and in Year 2008 alone three batches of recruits are selected. On the one hand, such a frequency is alarming; and on the other the Admission Requirements are somewhat peculiar: the recruits must be "Falun Gong followers or their relatives (potential followers)."
The move sparked off speculations long time ago, but not until the Flushing Incident took place did people really get some clues about the true story behind the recruiting.
Firstly, the Shen Yun Art Troupe and the "Feitian Arts College" were two dedicated organs under Falun Gong. During the whole process of the Flushing Incident, devoted members of the two groups had been witnessed all around such as in the scenes of the so-called "support parade" and the "Three Quits demonstration", where they performed themselves as daring vanguards. Thus there's no difficulty in comprehending their true intentions as they publicized the Admission Requirements as "all recruits must be Falun Gong followers or their relatives (potential followers)" in enlistin students. If they weren't extreme Falun Gong and obsessed cult practitioners, how could they have frustrated and harassed the donation activities for compatriots, or the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake?
Secondly, the Shen Yun Art Troupe was highly appreciated by Master Li Hongzhi. Aside from other compliments, Master Li's making time to specially watch their video programs was a proof. On May 24th 2008, just before the "New York Fa Conference," Li Hongzhi watched with amusement the discs provided by the Shen Yun Art Troupe and the "Feitian Arts College." Such an incident revealed the Master Li's deep favoritism towards these two groups for, according to Li Hongzhi, he was the "Buddha of the universe attending to numerous affairs" and "highly pressured under the burdens of encountering thousands of sufferings under Heaven each day…"(Teaching the Fa at 2008 New York Fa Conference). And, after the "2008 New York Fa Conference", people noticed from reports of the Falun Gong media that, listeners who flattered Master Li on the spot during the Fa Conference were all students from these two groups: a student of the "Feitian Arts College" presented flowers for Master Li; and the first one who shamelessly pledged loyalty to Li Hongzhi was Chen Rutang, the "conductor of Tianyin Orchestra under the Shen Yun Art Troupe", whose photos, noticed by sharp-eyed readers, were printed on the paper just below that of Li's. After Li's photo was removed by reasons publicly acknowledged, Chen's had ascended to the top position as a matter of course. Without a doubt, those who applauded for Mr. Li were all students from these two groups.
Thirdly, the establishment of Shen Yun Art Troupe and the "Feitian Arts College" was the result of irreconcilable conflicts between Falun Gong sects. The so-called Falun Gong fundamentalists, namely, the "conservatives" were enlisting members "restricted to be Falun Gong followers and their relatives (potential followers)" for the two groups to cultivate extreme fundamentalists, as a way to "foster Li's successors". Then why did Li abandon abroad the way to enlist members by organizing training classes or waving banners to attract followers as he did in mainland China? Because the true colors of Falun Gong had been exposed, and Li could no long hoodwink innocent people the way he did before. So the only way to attract new followers was to "inbreed", setting restrictions for membership. As for the new generations or the "radicals" with pro-democracy background and mindset, such as Ye Hao, the No.2 Chieftain of Falun Gong organization; and Li Dayong, the direct of "Global Tree-Quits Service Center", they needed these two groups to blow trumpet and sing noisy praises on special occasions such as the "Three Quits Demonstration" etc. Therefore, the two groups were established as the result.
Fourthly, Chen Rutang, "conductor of Tianyin Orchestra under the Shen Yun Art Troupe", had raked up a considerable amount of money from the Troupe, but still he had ulterior motives. After the removal of Master Li's photo taken at the "New York Fa Conference" by Falun Gong media, Chen's photo was kept either by design or by accident, endowing him the honor of ascending to the top position. Generally speaking, it was natural that when the champion was cancelled, the number two got the gold medal. But during such an eventful period for Falun Gong, the incident prompted speculations among people. After all, it was the presenting photo of the "Buddha of the Universe" that had been removed, which was too much to be lightly ignored – weren't Chen's ambition a little bit excessive? As Chen and his Shen Yun Art Troupe repeatedly get into the limelight on every occasion, people have reasons to believe that Mr. Chen and his sect might some day totally replace Li Hongzhi and his "Falun Buddhism Society". Besides, the two groups give the public the impression that they are not going for practicing or publicizing Li's Falun Gong, but are professional "trouble-makers".
Presently, Master Li has done all he can without any results. To expand team by enlisting students is not working well. The author is thinking that when some day Master Li is really on his way to "Consummation" and, if Chen Rutang were still willing to lead his Shen Yun Art Troupe to see the Master off by beating drums and crashing gongs, then Mr. Li Hongzhi would feel perfectly satisfied, what else could he be expecting?
