Wang Lin (王林), born in 1947 (not in 1952 as he claimed), was an important figure worldwide Qigong from China, but also an ambiguous character with a destiny marked by scandals and serious accusations. From a spiritual master with an impressive reputation to a conman and criminal convicted of fraud, bigamy, illegal practices and even murder, his life Wang Lin it is a tragic example of the dangers associated with the cult of personality and the abuse of power in the field of spiritual practice.
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The Ascension: from “Qigong Master” to “Spiritual Guide”
Wang Lin he began his career on the field Qigong in the 90s, during a «Qigong booms” that took over in China (and then spread to the West), as more and more individuals claimed supernatural and healing abilities Wang Lin claimed to have started practicing Qigong at the age of 7 with Taoist ascetics on Mount Emei, reality shows that he actually studied some techniques with a group of acrobats. Wang then began aggressively promoting a personal style of Qigong, which he claimed could cure serious illnesses, bring prosperity, and change the lives of those who followed it. It launched with a bang in 2013, thanks to tricks in which it claimed to materialize snakes. (Xinhua2017-02-10).
In a short time, Wang Lin it has become a favorite of entertainment stars and businessmen. Among his followers were celebrities such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Faye Wong AND Li Bingbingand his name became synonymous with miraculous healing power. Jack a (founder of Alibaba) has participated for more than 10 years. Also, Wang Lin he was often seen in elite circles in Hong Kong and China, being considered a spiritual «guru» by some of the most influential people in the country. During this period, Wang Lin he owned a sumptuous residence, called «Wang Palace«, and was supposedly the richest man in Pingxiang. [Sursa: China’s Qigong Master Scandals, South China Morning Post, 2013] Furthermore, during this time his fees amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions.
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The mystery of the “Consecration Ceremony” and the exploitation of the gullible
One of the most controversial aspects of his practice Wang Lin it was «consecration ceremony«, which was said to include sexual/dubious practices with famous women. They paid a lot of money to participate in rituals that took place in Wang Lin’s bed, where he spat wine on their naked bodies, recited invocations, and then forced them to take special baths – «purification rituals» under his guidance. It was said that at the end of the ritual, «to the talisman» powered by Wang Lin it would bring success and fulfillment. These actions have been documented by several sources, including testimonies from his former followers, who reported manipulation and abuse Wang Lin. [Sursa: Wang Lin’s Deceptive Practices, Beijing News, 2013]
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Decline and flight to Hong Kong
In 2013, Wang Lin has been exposed by the publication Beijing Newswhich detailed his frauds, his ties to officials and celebrities, and his illegal practices. After this exposure, Wang Lin he fled to Hong Kong to escape investigations by the Chinese authorities. In Hong Kong he proclaimed himself «Chinese Snowden«, continuing to claim that he was the victim of a conspiracy. But the truth did not remain hidden for long. [Sursa: Wang Lin: The Rise and Fall of a Qigong Master, The Guardian, 2015]
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Crime and convictions and a tragic end in prison
In 2015 another scandal broke out, this time linked to the disappearance of a close disciple of Wang Lin, Zou Yong. Zou, a wealthy businessman who had come to regard him as a mentor, began to realize Wang’s scams, the two argued, and Zou was eventually found dead. Wang Lin was then suspected of kidnapping and murder. Arrested and investigated by the police, Wang Lin he was arrested and charged with murder, illegal possession of weapons, illegal practice of medicine, fraud and bigamy. He was also accused of accepting bribes and gambling. [Sursa: Wang Lin Arrested for Murder, South China Morning Post, 2015]. None of his disciples sought him out or supported him during his arrest!
in custody Wang Lin he began to suffer from multiple health problems despite being a Qigong «master». He was transported to hospital and in February 2017 he died due to multiple organ failure, a result of autoimmune peripheral neuropathy. His death marked the end of a life full of lies and manipulation. [Sursa: Wang Lin’s Death and the Final Years of a Qigong Master, Beijing Times, 2017]
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The “Qigong Boom” and Profiting from Human Suffering
An important factor in his rise Wang Lin was the historical and socio-political context of China in the 1980s and 1990s, when «Qigong Frenzy» swept the country and numerous Qigong «masters» promised miracles. The period was marked by an avalanche of public figures who claimed to be able to cure diseases and bring prosperity through unconventional techniques. Wang Lin he was adept at emerging in this age of ignorance and uncertainty, fueling popular beliefs with bizarre pseudo-scientific claims. His deceptions, like those of other scammers, were and are easily accepted, due to people’s desire to find quick solutions to their problems and suffering. [Sursa: Qigong and Chinese Society: The Rise of a New Age of Healing, Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1995]
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Bottom line: a life marked by greed and manipulation
His life Wang Lin it is a tragic story of how the abuse of power, the manipulation of popular beliefs, and the desire to deceive can lead to the downfall of an individual and the destruction of a spiritual system. What began as a new and popular phenomenon quickly became a web of lies and fraud, and his end – in prison and without the support of those who once worshiped him – is a painful lesson in human complexity and the dangers of the cult of personality in spiritual practices.
Despite his «master» appearance, Wang Lin it was an example of how those seeking spiritual power can often be vulnerable to manipulation and abuse. I think this is a good and important warning for spiritual communities and practices Qigong or energetic and spiritual of any nature, which should promote authentic teaching and value, not the cult of personality and the desire to acquire power by deception. I think that basic common sense and a closeness to naturalness and Nature, to the wisdom of the body, can help a lot in recognizing these values.
Additional bibliography
- Qigong and its cultural contextGuoqiang He, 2014, ISBN 978-1-432-82223-7
- The rise of the Qigong craze: A cultural analysisJournal of Chinese Medicine, 1995
- Wang Lin: The fraudulent Qigong masterSouth China Morning Post, 2013
- Wang Lin and the cult of celebrityThe Guardian, 2015
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