Information on Falun Gong and the persecution in China. 2012.
June 2, 2012 Leave a comment
Falun Dafa Meditation. This picture was shared through facebook and the location is unknown, however it is speculated to be in a school Taiwan, some years after the persecution of Falun Dafa started in 1999.
June 1, 2012 Leave a comment
May 31, 2012 | By Samet Mehmed from Germany
Samet Mehmed
(Minghui.org) I am originally from Bulgaria, and currently reside in Germany. When I lived in Bulgaria in 2009, I heard about Falun Dafa for the first time. I had been very interested in Asian cultures and practiced martial arts in high school. Regardless of whatever activities I engaged in or wherever I traveled, however, I had been searching for spiritual answers.
I also learned Chinese medicine. I was told that in Asian culture, medication and medical equipment were not the sole means of treatment; spiritual factors also played important roles. Therefore, I began to be interested in reading books on ancient mysteries, and at the same time, I also read materials that focused on spiritual subjects. However, nothing gave me the answers to the meaning of life. Some of the books that I read carried bad messages, which caused me to have depression.
When I returned home one day, I found a Falun Dafa flyer in my mailbox. I was about to throw it away, but an unknown power stopped me. After reading the flyer, I searched for Falun Dafa on the Internet. I spent hours on the website, and realized that I could not let it go. I was completely empowered by the teachings. Immediately, a brand new world opened up in front of me, and I realized that Falun Dafa was exactly what I had been looking for my whole life.
I still do not know how the flyer ended up in my mailbox, because back then the city that I lived in did not have a single Dafa practitioner. I later learned that everything had been well planned for me.
After reading Zhuan Falun, my depression disappeared, and at the same time, I also graduated from my study of traditional Japanese medicine. At the end of 2009, I came to Dortmund, Germany, and bought additional Falun Gong books. Since coming to Germany, I have read Zhuan Falun more than a dozen times.
In the first few months, I could not find any practitioners; hence I practiced the exercises by myself in a park. In August 2010, I went to the exercise site in Dortmund for the first time. Both the practitioners and exercise site were very tranquil and peaceful. It seemed like the exercise site was a peaceful island located in a bustling ocean. From then on, everything in my life became meaningful and well organized. Things that I had come across before seemed to be a ladder for me to climb up and eventually meet up with Dafa. I also found out that I had so many attachments and all kinds of human sentimentality before cultivating in Dafa. Now that I have found the Great Law or Dafa of the universe, I will follow it to cultivate myself. I am now one of the happiest beings in the universe.
I finally determined in 2010 that a requirement for being a cultivator means I must purify myself at every level. I immediately stopped drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. I found out afterwards, that as soon as I truly realized that I was a cultivator of the Great Law of the universe, and once I had the desire to let go of bad habits, it was actually not hard to let them go at all. I also often came across conflicts with people, which helped me to improve my xinxing. Living in a complicated environment with conflicts is really very helpful. I saw how I changed into a peaceful island amongst the bustling and noisy ocean. From then on, I did not have any illnesses and my body felt very light. Because there are still many lives out there waiting to know the truth and be saved, I did my best to participate in truth-clarification activities.
I want to share about a car accident that I was involved in. One day in December 2011, while I was crossing a street, a car came speeding toward me. At that moment, some kind of force drew me about two feet backwards, and I could see that the car should have had enough space to stop, but it still hit my knees.
Very quickly I realized what had happened, and my mind was very clear. I was not angry and neither was I afraid; I was actually very calm. People stopped and looked at me. The lady who hit me was panicky and terrified. She sat in her car, unable to gather sufficient energy to come out. She could do nothing more than repeatedly say, “I’m sorry” to me. Smiling at her, I waved and told her that I was fine, and that she should be more careful in the future. After that, I continued on my way.
I checked my knees after I got home and found out that they were not hurt at all. As a matter of fact, my knees did not even have any bruises. People, including my father, told me that I could have asked that lady to pay me one thousand Euros for the accident, but I just laughed at the idea.
There is a lot more that I could write about, but I just want to say that I hope more and more people will be fortunate enough to learn Dafa and genuinely cultivate. I thank Master from the depth of my heart.
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May 30, 2012 Leave a comment
May 28, 2012 | By Minghui correspondent He Yu
(Minghui.org) Jason Loftus is a practitioner from Toronto. He was one of the more than 7000 Falun Gong practitioners who gathered in New York in mid-May to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, and the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s pubic introduction. He began practicing Falun Gong in 1998, and he experienced the goodness of Dafa before the persecution begun and prior to all the negative propaganda fabricated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He knew from deep within his heart that all the CCP propaganda was not true, and was wrong.
Media worker Jason Loftus
For Jason, the most important change he experienced after he began practicing Falun Gong, was understanding the true meaning of life. This knowledge changed every aspect of his life. It was like waking from sleep and only now really becoming alive.
Jason said, “Through cultivation, instead of getting wrapped up in our own human achievements and our own personal things, we become better people, raise our moral standard, and return to our true selves.”
Why are we here? What is the ultimate objective of being a human being? It becomes very clear and rewarding.
That is why, Jason believes, that in the face of such severe persecution in China, Falun Gong practitioners can courageously validate Falun Dafa and spread the facts without worrying about themselves. When one understands the true meaning of life, one has that confidence.
Jason is honored to have learned Falun Gong and to benefit from it. Jason has been very much involved during the past 13 years in trying to bring people the truth about Falun Gong.
In early February 2002 Jason and another practitioner from the U.S. went to Beijing to protest the persecution on Tiananmen Square and expose the CCP-staged self-immolation.
They held a press conference with the Western Media, and showed them a video-deconstruction of the self-immolation incident, proving that the CCP intentionally set up this event.
This was an important way to spread the facts, because the CCP used this hoax to attack Falun Gong and create hatred among China’s people. The practitioners exposed it.
Then they went to Tiananmen Square to hold the banner worded “Falun Dafa is good.” When the CCP police showed up, they tried to clarify the truth about the CCP-staged self-immolation incident, and expose the lies, but were surrounded, grabbed, and dragged away. When they were arrested they shouted “Falun Dafa is good!” They could see how everyday people were shocked to hear these words.
Jason said that Chinese people actually misunderstand Falun Gong, not because they are bad people, but due to the slanderous propaganda by the CCP. They don’t have an opportunity to know the truth.
He thinks that it is very important to spread the truth and that is why Falun Gong practitioners all these years have persisted in their efforts.
Due to the media being censored by the CCP, the public in China does not know the truth about Falun Gong. Practitioners came to this big event in New York to let people know about the persecution, and the deception created by the CCP.
Because New York is a financial and a media center of the World this event is important in spreading the truth about Falun Gong. This is the reason for all practitioners coming here. They want to clarify the truth about the benefits of Falun Gong.
To Jason the issue of persecution of Falun Gong affects not only China, but the whole world. Because we are all connected, it affects all of us as well. He is concerned about it and wants people to know the truth.
Right now a historic change is taking place in China. Jason believes that in the future those who sided with justice, and practitioners, will realize that they made the right choice. Though everyone is just an individual, it is important for their own futures, to take the right stance.
Jason said, “The persecution of Falun Gong has been carried out by the CCP and is the most horrible persecution in the history of mankind. Falun Gong practitioners are good people, who cultivate to ascend and improve themselves. This is why the persecution of Falun Gong is a stark contrast between good and evil.”
Traditional Chinese values are, “Good will be rewarded with good and evil begets evil returns.”
Practitioners from around the world are not doing this for themselves, but because they are concerned with the fates of other people. They are truly concerned for those who have not yet consciously made the righteous choice.
Looking back, Jason remembers how difficult it was in the beginning to spread the facts about Falun Gong. People in the West simply didn’t know anything about Falun Gong. All the information was coming from only one source, the slanderous lies made by the CCP. It has been difficult for practitioners in this environment to step forward. Stepping forward was difficult, but the right thing to do. It was done unselfishly and for other people. In the face of this persecution people have not only learned about Falun Gong, but the popularity of Falun Gong around the world has also grown.
Category: Perspectives
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May 29, 2012 Leave a comment
May 28, 2012
(Minghui.org) A common Chinese saying goes: “The Loyal do not remain with the Sick.” However, it is not applicable to my elder brother. He is 62 years old and has remained with our father for many years now. He is very kind, honest, and well known in the community as a loyal and upright person.
Our father has been bedridden with Alzheimer’s disease for several years and cannot take care of himself. He has been in bed for so long that many of his bodily functions have weakened. He cannot speak and most of his muscles have atrophied. Our elder brother has taken care of our father meticulously for over four years since our mother passed away.
For each daily meal, our brother must prepare suitable foods for Father since he does not have teeth. In addition, he must feed him as carefully, because Father cannot sit up by himself. Sometimes our brother even needs to trick Father into eating when he is not in a good mood. Medical doctors are impressed by his kindness and consideration toward our father.
Since our father is old and has Alzheimer’s disease, he is incontinent. His bedsheets, clothing, and body are often soiled, and our elder brother always cleans up the messes with patience and without complaining. Our brother always looks after our old father patiently.
We are so touched and appreciate to have such a great brother. Whenever we worry about his health, he always tells us with a smile, “I am a Falun Dafa practitioner. Master always protects me. I am always healthy. We should thank Master, because he teaches me to be a good person with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. We must be good and kind to others, not to mention to our family members. Don’t worry, I will always be here for Father!”
How simple and concrete these words are! He is a genuine practitioner of the Fa. Falun Dafa is a very good practice, which has spread to more than 100 countries and regions. Falun Dafa teaches people to be kind, honest, and moral. It is a good cultivation practice for any person in any country.
Article Taken from: http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/5/28/133655.html
Chinese version available
May 27, 2012 Leave a comment
May 25, 2012 Leave a comment
May 24, 2012
(Minghui.org) Two thousand Falun Dafa practitioners performed in front of The United Nations building in New York City on May 11, 2012, with an exercise demonstration and other performances, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction.
In the morning, 2000 practitioners started the celebration with a group exercise practice. White clouds floated in the blue sky above a sea of yellow exercise suits. The scene was solemn and touching, and the participants felt the immerse energy field. After the exercise demonstration, the practitioners performed dances, singing, dragon dance, lion dance, and a Divine Land Marching Band performance.
The participants came from various countries, but they have all benefited from Falun Dafa, and wanted to thank Master.
Dafa Is Most Precious
Sophie from Sweden: I can’t use language to express my thankfulness to Falun Dafa.
Sophie from Sweden has practiced Falun Dafa for ten years. She was very happy and excited about being able to participate in the celebration in New York City. “I had been looking for a belief. After I learned Falun Dafa, I felt it was very, very good. This is what I have been looking for. Now I have practiced Falun Dafa for ten years. Nothing in the human world can compare to Dafa.” she said with a smile on her face.
Sophie learned Falun Dafa outside of China. In some truth-clarification materials, she learned that Dafa practitioners continue their beliefs even in the face of persecution. Her heart was shaken. She realized it is a belief that one will protect with their life.
Sophie has higher education degrees and prefers to look for answers herself. “At first, my family asked me why I would practice Falun Gong. Was it like what the Chinese Communist Party pictured? Actually, in oversea countries, many practitioners have advanced degrees, and are scholars, doctors, and many are westerners. I think this is enough to show what Falun Gong is.”
Before practicing Dafa, Sophie was troubled by a persistent cough. “It came a few times every year. A very bad cough woke me up 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning. I tried many therapies, including Chinese medicine, but nothing could cure it.” She talked about her initial experiences with Falun Dafa. “The second and third day after reading Zhuan Falun, my cough was very bad. It might have been the worst cough I had in my lifetime. But in my heart, I understood that master was cleansing my body. I have not coughed since then, for ten years. No science can explain it.”
Dafa also raised Sophie’s moral level and even affects the people around her. “For two years, my job was to take care of senior people. They would lose their tempers if they didn’t get what they demanded, and were sometimes very irrational. The cultivation practice made my heart calm. Sometimes, I didn’t need to say anything. I often just stood by the person and he would quiet down. My colleagues felt it was impossible. For other people, it took a lot of time and energy to quiet them down. And their own emotions would be disturbed too. Cultivation gives me such deep peace. Dafa is what my true self was looking for.”
“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” Is a Universal Value in the World
Mr. Lu from Japan
Mr. Lu and his wife came to New York from Japan to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world’s people. The couple had been to New York City every year since the Chinese Communist Party started the persecution of Falun Gong. “At that time, we demanded the United Nations and America to side with justice and support Falun Gong. Now in America, more and more Americans support Falun Gong. This is very different from ten years ago. People now support Falun Gong. It is same in Japan.” Lu said.
Lu began to read the book Zhuan Falun after a friend introduced it to him in 1996. He immediately recognized that it was a very special book. “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, very good principles. The book touched my heart. I felt very lucky to read and learn Falun Dafa.” he continued.
Lu’s major was in history. But this is a very special book that taught him to look inward whenever a conflict erupted. “When other curse you, misunderstand you, you look at yourself to find out if you did anything wrong to cause this. When you are peaceful, you yield, and without any resentment in your heart.” When he can achieve this, he feels his xinxing raising quickly. His physical health has also improved dramatically.
Later, seeing her husband’s change, Ms. Lu also began practicing Falun Dafa. Mr. Lu also introduced the practice to his colleagues, and three of them began cultivating.
No Regret of Tribulations
Ruan Shuang from Australia: I will come to New Year every year if I have the chance, till the persecution ends.
Ruan Shuang, a practitioner from Australia, said openly and enthusiastically, “I am excited. Today is a special day.” Ruan said, “I started practicing Falun Dafa on April 25, 1999. Soon after that, China started the persecution of Falun Gong. Today is the 13th anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day. It is also the 13th year that Falun Gong is being persecuted.
“My feeling is complex. The Chinese Communist Party vowed to eliminate Falun Gong in three months, but the result is just the opposite. Falun Gong has spread to over 100 countries. But it is still being persecuted in China. I am one of those being persecuted in China. So if I have chance, I will participate in this event every year, till the persecution ends.”
For the first time, Ruan only took two days to read through Zhuan Falun. Many puzzles in her life were solved, and after practicing Falun Dafa, her health improved. She also realized that in life and work, there are always conflicts or confrontations. She can see the reason behind each matter and can easily give up the attachments and maintain a pleasant mood. Ms. Ruan once went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong and was thus put in a forced labor camp.
“I experienced the persecution, my life changed, but I am still a happy woman. Every practitioner experiences the beauty of Falun Dafa, and the persecution can’t eliminate it. The Chinese Communist Party failed.” Ruan said.
May 15, 2012 Leave a comment
May 14, 2012
By Cai Ju in New York
(Minghui.org) May 13, 2012, a great day that Heaven and Earth celebrate together, marks the 13th World Falun Dafa Day and also the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public. It is even more a wonderful day because it is compassionate and great Master Li Hongzhi’s 61st birthday. On this day, more than 7,000 Dafa disciples from over 40 countries in America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, gathered in the Westchester County Center in New York to solemnly hold the 2012 New York Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference.
Revered Master comes in person to the New York Fa conference, and teaches the Fa for 7000 Dafa disciples
In the beginning of the Fa conference, the hosts, on behalf of all Dafa disciples who attended the conference and all Dafa disciples from around the world as well as numerous sentient beings, respectfully wished compassionate and great Master a Happy Birthday.
Around 10:00 a.m., revered Master came to the conference. The disciples stood up with respect, and warmly applauded for a long time. Revered Master motioned everyone to sit down, and taught the Fa for about one hour. Some disciples were so excited that they cried, and tears of gratitude were streaming down their faces.
Main venue of the Fa conference
As there were a large number of practitioners attending, the Fa conference was divided into a main venue and several secondary venues. The main stage in the main venue was arranged with fresh flowers. The huge image of revered Master was right in the middle, Falun emblems with words “Falun Turns Constantly,” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” were on each side of Master’s image. Two vertical banners bearing two verses from Master’s poem “The Fa Rectifies the Cosmos”: “Compassion can harmonize Heaven and Earth, ushering in spring
Righteous thoughts can save the people in the world” (from Hong Yin II) were hung on each side of the Falun emblem. Opposite the main stage, on the left was a vertical banner bearing two verses from another of Master’s poems, “Advance Wholeheartedly, Enlighten Righteously,”
“Study Fa without idling, changing in the process
Firmly believe without budging, coming to fruition—lotus forms” (fromHong Yin II);
on the right was a vertical banner with two verses from Master’s poem “Falun Turns Constantly,”
“Dafa embraces and harmonizes, and heaven and earth is rectified
The Lord of Fa is merciful, and creates the vast firmament” (from Hong Yin II).
At the back were “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Practitioners share their cultivation experiences
Among practitioners who attended the Fa conference this year, there were many more Western practitioners compared to past years. Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started the persecution of Falun Gong in 1999, there has been an international Fa conference held in New York almost every year, and practitioners from around the world have been invited to attend. In the beginning, the vast majority were Chinese, but as time went on, there have been more and more Western practitioners. From their conversations, it was apparent that they have grown mature in cultivation, compared with those who attended out of curiosity in the early years. Chinese and Western practitioners have become an integrated entity. Falun Dafa, since it was first introduced in 1992 in China, has taken root in the West.
In addition, since the persecution started, due to the evil CCP’s slander, propaganda and brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners, other than studying the Fa, doing the exercises, and cultivating their xinxing based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, have adopted various approaches to clarifying the facts about Falun Gong to the worlds’ people, such as advising the Chinese people to quit the CCP organizations and promoting the Shen Yun performance.
Practitioners share their cultivation experiences
Sixteen Chinese and Western practitioners shared their experiences at the Fa conference. They talked about how they cultivate in Dafa, clarify the facts about Falun Gong and save people, and assist Master in Fa-rectification. The speakers included new practitioners who just entered the cultivation not long ago and veteran practitioners who have cultivated for more than ten years. There was also an eleven-year-old child, a 77-year-old grandfather, a practitioner who just graduated with his Master’s Degree, and a mother of two children. They come from different professions, belong to different age groups, and have different social backgrounds. Everyone is bathed in the Buddha’s enormous grace, and are fulfilling their vow made long ago.
Promoting Shen Yun Performance to Save Sentient Beings
The Shen Yun tour this year has received unprecedented welcome wherever it has gone, with sold-out shows being seen in many cities. Several practitioners shared their precious experiences of holding Shen Yun performances in their respective cities.
Phoenix is the capital and the largest city in Arizona, but there are not many practitioners there. When holding Shen Yun performances, the practitioners there received tremendous support from practitioners in other states. Several local practitioners who had not been active were encouraged to step forward to promote Shen Yun, and some of them achieved good results in ticket sales. With everyone’s full cooperation, and adopting a variety of approaches to promote Shen Yun, coupled with practitioners’ working more than ten hours a day, eventually they were able to present three sold-out shows in Phoenix. What impressed Xiao Jing deeply is, “We should not see practitioners as having this or that shortcoming on the surface, as long as the practitioner has a genuine heart to save people, everyone can play a good role in promoting the Shen Yun performance.”
Seventy-seven year old practitioner Mr. Yang Qing from Chicago delivered the special issue publication about Shen Yun to households every day from December last year to March this year. It is very cold in Chicago’s winter, but Mr. Yang overcame all kinds of physical discomfort, and kept going out to deliver the good messages of Shen Yun every day.
Practitioner Robert Gray from the U.K. shared how he changed his notions, proactively stepped forward to come into contact with groups of mainstream society, and introduced Shen Yun to them. Robert realized that the key to success is thoroughly explaining the truth, and offering an opportunity for the sentient beings to make a choice.
Ms. Chen Yao from Atlanta began practicing Falun Gong in mid April, 2011. She talked about how she cultivated herself solidly and diligently in the process of promoting Shen Yun performance. Her husband’s family exerted great pressure on her at the beginning because they don’t believe in gods and Buddhas and are afraid of the CCP. After studying the Fa a lot, and reading practitioners’ cultivation experiences, Ms. Chen strengthened her belief, arranged her life well, and overcame sickness karma elimination test and her conflict with coordinators. She brought her two young children with her while actively promoting Shen Yun. Later, as Ms. Chen improved a lot in her xinxing, her family of eight all attended the Shen Yun performance, and her husband also began supporting her.
Western practitioner Damon Noto from New York shared with everyone the magnificent scenes he saw during the Shen Yun performances in New York: the dancers and orchestra emitted powerful energy. There were countless Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Taos, Deities and Master’s Law Bodies in the theater. He encouraged the practitioners to cherish the opportunity, help each other and wholeheartedly assist Master in saving more sentient beings.
Clarifying the Facts about Falun Gong and Advising the Chinese People to Quit the CCP and Its Affiliated Organizations to Save People
A practitioner from Macau talked about how she remained steadfast in her belief, “Wherever there’s a problem, that is where we should go clarify the facts…” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2003 Midwest-U.S. Fa Conference”). She has continuously clarified the facts about Falun Gong to the police, high-ranking officials in the legal system, and eventually broke through the evil’s interference. A truth clarification site was established in 2001 in Macau, and since then, it has opened every day. She advised Chinese tourists to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations, from one or two at the beginning, to 180 people announcing their withdrawals from the CCP organizations within half a day. She also personally witnessed the huge changes in the Chinese tourists.
Practitioner Ms. Li Shuxin from Canada, in her 70s, has been making phone calls to China to advise people to quit the CCP organizations since April 2008. In the beginning, she didn’t know how to dial the numbers, but now she can make phone calls easily and has advised more than 7,000 people to quit the CCP organizations.
An eleven-year-old practitioner from Canada began participating in the young practitioners’ truth clarification platform to make phone calls to Chinese people. He has helped many Chinese people quit the CCP. He also coordinated practitioners younger than himself to get on the platform to study the Fa and save people together.
Practitioner Ms. Zeng Qiong from Long Island in New York shared how she rectified herself while holding the “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” International Art Exhibition. She seized a chance to clarify the facts about Falun Gong to the organizers, ensuring the successful completion of the art exhibition, and saving more sentient beings.
Mr. Peng Yongkang from Connecticut was originally from Hebei Province, China. He began practicing Falun Gong in 2008. He shared how he took advantage of his profession as a lawyer to defend illegally detained practitioners and clarify the facts to save the world’s people.
Mr. Wang Yifei from Vancouver shared his experience and understanding of studying the Fa, cultivating xinxing, and sending righteous thoughts. When he was engrossed in studying Fa, he could feel every character in Zhuan Falun, and even punctuation marks as being three-dimensional and alive. He could see endless and boundless universes in the Fa. He also saw the state of attachment in other dimensions such as pursuit for comfort as a pile of bugs, attachment to fear as a group of mice, lust is feces, etc. He looks within, cultivates his xinxing at all times, and makes more effort to send righteous thoughts and eliminate his attachments. He truly experienced that everything is a real manifestation of Master using his enormous Fa power to do Fa-rectification and save sentient beings. Being able to walk through the Fa-rectification period with great Master’s care and protection, is a life’s eternal happiness and glory.
The Fa conference concluded at 6:30 p.m. The experience sharing encouraged all practitioners attending the conference to compare with each other in cultivation, advance diligently and enthusiastically as they did while just beginning the practice, cherish this unprecedented valuable historic opportunity, make their greatest effort and use their hearts to do well the three things, save more sentient beings, assimilate to the Fa, reach Consummation and follow Master to return home.
Source - http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/5/14/133345.html
May 15, 2012 Leave a comment
May 14, 2012 | By Zhang Jun, Xiao Yan, and Shu Jing
(Minghui.org) This May 13 marks World Falun Dafa Day and the 20thanniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public. Approximately 7000 Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered in New York City on May 12, 2012. They held a grand parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 13th World Falun Dafa Day. They wanted to express their gratitude to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, for introducing Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the Great Law of the universe, to the world. They also thank revered Master for his compassionate salvation.
A grand procession
The Divine Land Marching Band in the parade
The Divine Land Marching Band
The Falun Gong exercise demonstration team in the parade
The Falun Gong exercise team
The banner reads: “Respectfully Wish Revered Master Happy Birthday and Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s Public Introduction”
The parade was divided into three sections: Dafa’s Widespread Acceptance, The Never-ending Wrong [The Persecution in China], and People from All Walks of Life Support the Three Withdrawals and Disintegrating the CCP. The parade extended more than a dozen blocks, with 7000 practitioners and thousands of banners and display boards of different colors fluttering in the breeze, conveying many messages: “Heaven and Earth Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s Public Introduction,” “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” “Historical Changes Draw Near, Truth Is the Guiding Light,” and “Heaven Will Eliminate CCP, Quit the CCP for One’s Own Safety.”
A grand parade
The banners say, “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”
A grand parade
The banners read, “Stop Persecuting Falun Gong”
The Nine Commentaries and Three Withdrawals
Honoring practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution
Practitioners holding representations of the book Zhuan Falun in different languages
Parade procession
Practitioners holding banners that say, “Bring Jiang Zemin and His Gang to Justice for Persecuting Falun Gong ”
Parade procession
Exercise demonstration team
Parade procession
The Divine Land Marching Band composed of more than 300 Falun Gong practitioners led the vast and grand parade. The resounding sounds of “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Fa Drums and Fa Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions,” “Fa Rectifies Heaven and Earth,” “Delivery of Treasure,” and “Falun Holy King” were stirring and inspiring. The models of huge Falun Gong books shone in the sunlight. The elegant and graceful Celestial Maidens and auspicious Dragon and Lion Dances followed. At the end of the first section of the parade was a large line-up of practitioners from Taiwan who demonstrated the peaceful Falun Gong exercises. The second section composed of practitioners from Canada and cities in the U.S. sought to raise awareness about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China. Practitioners dressed in white carried portraits of practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution. The third section displayed proclamations of praise and support for Falun Dafa from people of different countries. Chinese people who have learned the facts have withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
New York resident Dora said, “I’ve lived in New York for more than 30 years, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen such a wonderful parade. I’m really delighted. Please take a photo of me and my friend in Chinatown.”
Chinese spectator: I know Falun Gong is very righteous
When the parade passed the front of a church, Ms. Lu and her husband, who have lived in New York for 11 years, stood quietly watching the parade. Ms. Lu told the reporter, “I’m Christian, but I support Falun Gong. I read the Epoch Times newspaper daily, and I know Falun Gong is righteous. But the CCP is evil—that’s why it persecutes Falun Gong. Evil will never prevail. Look how spectacular, how grand [the parade is]. I know the CCP is close to its demise, and I’m looking forward to seeing it every day.”
Mr. Cai, who came to New York more than a year ago, saw the parade and said, “We couldn’t see such a spectacular parade in China. It’s really exciting.”
Ms. Yu, who came from Taishan in China, said emotionally, “I’ve watched for almost an hour, but I still haven’t seen the entire procession. There must be several thousand people. I feel really happy for them. A 20th anniversary is really worth celebrating. So many people practice it, it must be very good.”
An elderly Chinese man watched the parade until it reached its destination. He held an Epoch Times Special Issue in hand and told the reporter, “I read theEpoch Times every day. I like Falun Gong, and I support it.”
Ms. Wang, who just arrived in New York several months ago, said, “When I was in China, I believed the CCP’s slander and propaganda against Falun Gong, and I even persuaded my family members not to practice it. When I came here, I learned the CCP’s propaganda is all false. Now I not only advise my family members to continue practicing it, I also want to practice it.”
A middle-aged Chinese woman told the reporter how she learned about Falun Gong. She said, “Falun Gong teaches Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I think that’s good. I took informational materials and CDs about Falun Gong from practitioners. After reading it and watching them, I know Falun Gong is good. ”
Tourists: Principles that should be understood by people around the world
Michael from Massachusetts
Michael from Massachusetts saw the parade as soon as he arrived in Manhattan. He said, “I never expected to see people from so many countries and regions gather here for this celebratory event. I like it very much. I saw many good messages. I very much agree with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, which should be understood by people around the world. Thank you!”
Subodh from Mexico learns things he did not know
Subodh from Mexico said, “It’s first time for me to see such magnificent parade. I learned a lot that I didn’t know before. I’ll go back and read carefully the materials I took today, and then get online to learn more.”
Hong Kong Practitioner: I thank Master for saving my daughter and me
Ms. Li Mingyue and her daughter, Li Xiaolang, from Hong Kong came to New York for the first time to participate in the celebratory activities
In 1997 when Li Xiaolang two months old, she got pneumonia and was hospitalized twice. She was in critical condition. Her mother, Ms. Li Mingyue, suffered from postpartum depression. Ms. Li said that she was desperate and felt life was meaningless, because she couldn’t protect her baby after she was born. She wanted to die. At that time, her neighbor introduced her to Falun Dafa. Ms. Li spent three sleepless nights finishing the book Zhuan Falun. She said, “I was thinking at the time: ‘This is what I’m looking for.’
“Then I immediately played Master’s lectures for my baby, and she slept for three days. After she woke up, she was miraculously recovered. She became a healthy and lovely baby.”
Although enduring through ups and downs for more than ten years, mother and daughter participate in truth clarification projects. The daughter is a photographer and has taken photos during every parade held in Hong Kong. She said, “I can stay on my cultivation path, thanks to my practitioner mother.”
Mother Encourages Me Not to Give up Cultivation
Mr. Shen learned about the practice with his mother in 1998, but he did not become a true practitioner until 2007. When the Chinese Communist Party started the persecution shortly after, in 1999, his mother went to appeal at the State Council’s Appeals Office in Beijing and was subsequently subjected to constant harassment and persecution. She was detained three times between 1999 and 2001 and was subjected to two years of forced labor in 2001. Mr. Shen was 12 years old at the time. There was no cultivation environment for him then. He later went to Canada to further his studies. Mr. Shen said, “After my mother was released from the labor camp in 2003, she kept making phone calls to tell me to continue practicing Falun Gong. Mother kept encouraging me at the risk of her own safety, because our telephone conversations were tapped. Later, prison guards played the recording of the telephone conversations between my mother and me, which became one of the reasons they persecuted her more.
“Dafa has been spread for 20 years. If the CCP had not persecuted Falun Gong, I wouldn’t have begun my practice in 2007. I’m sad for having missed so many years of precious time.” Mr. Shen said, “The persecution is still ongoing in China. I hope it will end soon.”
Persecution Fails to Change Her Faith
Hanna (middle) has remained steadfast in her belief despite the persecution and seizes every opportunity to tell people the facts about Falun Gong
Hanna began practicing Falun Gong in 1995. At that time she suffered from a serious nervous breakdown. She could only sleep one night in a week. She felt so bad that she wanted to commit suicide. Three months after she began the practice, she could sleep well. Hanna said, “I didn’t get along well with my mother before. After I conducted myself according to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I knew I should treat my mother kindly and be considerate of her. In return, my mother has been supportive of me, since I lost my job for practicing Falun Gong in 1999.”
Hanna was detained for two weeks after she appealed for Falun Gong in Beijing in October 1999 and later was sent to a brainwashing center. She was an accountant with a large-scale enterprise and was fired from her job for remaining steadfast in practicing Falun Gong. The third time she appealed, the police threatened her, “If you go to appeal again, we’ll send you to a forced labor camp.” Hanna kept appealing and was subjected to one year of forced labor. Later on, she was incarcerated in brainwashing centers many times, but she still remained steadfast in her belief. She made the best use of time to tell people the facts about Falun Gong. But the police kept harassing her. She had to leave China for Thailand and came to the U.S. four years later.
When she was in Thailand, Hanna cherished each day and went to docks daily to clarify the facts and advise Chinese tourists to quit the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. After she arrived in New York, she kept clarifying the truth and helping people withdraw from the CCP at the docks every day. Hanna said, “The situation has changed greatly, and people are waiting to learn the truth. Tourists at the tourist sites now come up to get materials from me.”
An Entire Family Cultivates Dafa
Mr. Zheng from Singapore began to cultivate Falun Gong with his mother, despite the CCP’s slanderous propaganda
Mr. Zheng is a university student. He began practicing Falun Gong with his mother in 1999. After reading experience sharing articles by practitioners, he thought the practice was really great and decided to cultivate. He took no notice of the CCP’s propaganda. He said, “During my 13 years of cultivation, Master has given me many good things. I’m healthy, and I didn’t take pills or get injections. Dafa teaches people to be good—that’s really great.”
Mr. Chen and Mr. Ong and their family members are all practitioners. They have benefited a lot physically and mentally
Mr. Ong from Singapore said that he began practicing Falun Gong in 1997, and his entire family joined him. Mr. Ong suffered from high blood pressure and stomach problems due to work pressure. His illnesses disappeared after he had practiced for a few months. He had a bad temper before. After his practice, he took Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance as the guideline in treating others. His management approach changed, and he got promoted from deputy manager to manager of a Japanese company.
Mr. Chen is a university student in Singapore. His mother began practicing Falun Gong in 1998. Doctors said that she might have a brain tumor. Her colleague introduced her to Falun Gong. Since his mother began the practice, she has been in good health, so his family of six all began to practice.
Source - http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/5/14/133316.html
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