Final answer:
Falun Gong is a modern qigong movement that involves meditation and moral philosophy and has faced severe persecution in China. It is not endorsed by the Chinese government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the various movements and beliefs that have emerged in China, Falun Gong has been notable since its inception in the 1990s. To address the student's question regarding true statements about Falun Gong:
A) It is a form of modern qigong: This is true. Falun Gong is indeed based on qigong practices, which involve meditative exercises and regulated breathing.
B) It has been officially endorsed by the Chinese government: This is false. Falun Gong has not been endorsed but rather has faced severe repression by the Chinese government since 1999.
C) Its practice involves meditation and moral philosophy: This is true. The practice includes exercises, meditation, and a moral philosophy derived from Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
D) It has faced severe persecution in China: This is true. After a period of growth and increasing visibility, Falun Gong was banned by the Chinese government, and its practitioners have faced persecution.
Falun Gong's approach to spiritual wellbeing, through meditation and adherence to moral teachings, poses a stark contrast to the materialism seen as promoted by the state. Despite its peaceful nature, the group's significant presence and perceived potential for social mobilization were deemed threatening to the authority of the Chinese Communist Party.