(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners from all over Taiwan organized many 'camps for young practitioners this past summer, planting the seeds of compassion in everyone's hearts. The practitioners had carefully designed programs including games, movies and other activities that would enable children to understand Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance through stories, studying the Fa (1) and doing the exercises. The children's motivation for learning deeply moved the observers. Below are pictures of some of their activities and comments from the observers.

National Central University's Minghui Summer Camp

Children reading aloud from Hongyin

Children acting out a story from Zhuan Falun

On July 3 and 4, 2004, National Central University's Falun Dafa Club held a Minghui Summer Camp. The participants included staff from the university and local residents. More than 40 children signed up. Many had never heard of Falun Gong before. The lively activities and the eager participation of campers, both the children and parents, led them to value the greatness of Falun Dafa.

One of the parents heard that Falun Gong practitioners had organized this camp. She had come all the way from Taipei to Chungli in order to participate in these activities. She said that she had also attended the camp organized by the Taipei' practitioners last year, felt that it was very meaningful, and wished to attend it again. In order to give the children knowledge of both Falun Dafa and traditional Chinese culture, the activities included reading Hongyin [a collection of Master Li's poems], folding origami lotus flowers, an erhu music performance [an ancient Chinese stringed instrument], plays, the Falun Gong exercises, singing, dancing, stories about ancient Chinese medical doctors, cartoons and other activities.

Towards the end of the activities, parents brought gifts for the staff in appreciation for their organizing the camp. They had to take the gifts back home after the practitioners explained to the parents about 'Falun Gong's principle of free teachings. This truly allowed the gift-givers to experience the practitioners' selflessness, and many came back to ask for more information about Falun Gong.

Taipei Minghui School's Nine-Day Class For Young Practitioners

Young Dafa practitioners practicing the exercises in the morning at a nearby park

Young Dafa practitioners practicing the exercises at a nearby park

Demonstrating the exercises, spreading the Fa and Clarifying the Truth in front of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

In early July 2004, Taipei's Minghui School organized a nine-day class for young practitioners. Participants came from all over the nation to attend this class, which included studying and spreading the Fa, doing the exercises outdoors and clarifying the truth. Most young practitioners lived together in a dormitory. In the beginning it was not much different from customary summer camps, but after a few days the majority learned to become selfless and to look inward when conflicts arose. The young practitioners also learned to use Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in their daily lives. The effect was evident in how the campers resolves their many conflicts.

Over the nine days, the young practitioners went to a nearby park every morning for exercises and to spread the Fa. When a woman saw all the young practitioners practicing Falun Gong, she suddenly became interested and decided to learn it right on the spot. The practitioners happily taught her the exercises. In the afternoon, practitioners took the children to tourist spots to pass out flyers and do the exercises.

The children were also taught to clarify the truth through the Internet. The children's use of words, pictures, and movies allowed the non-practicing Chinese citizens to understand the truth in a flash. When a Chinese citizen saw a young practitioner through the camera, he said, "You're even younger than my son. My son is 12 years old." This 10 year-old practitioner showed him many truth clarification movies. The young practitioner was very happy that he was able to clarify the truth to others.

On Sunday afternoon, July 11, the young disciples were taken to Taipei's Minghui School for class and attended drawing lessons afterwards. A fellow practitioner asked a child to tell everyone his cultivation story, and so he told about clarifying the truth with his mother in Hong Kong. After this, the young practitioners all began drawing their own cultivation stories. Some were stories of what they saw in other dimensions such as Faluns, fairies, dragons, lotuses, scenes of sending forth righteous thoughts and eliminating the evil. On the very last day they went to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to demonstrate the exercises, spread the Fa and clarify the truth. Many people came over, watching the young practitioners doing the exercises. After the demonstration the children went into the crowd to pass out flyers, telling passers-by that Falun Dafa is great. Everyone happily took the handouts.

Tainan's Youth Dafa Summer Camp

Children diligently practicing the fifth exercise

Group Picture

Tainan has held Falun Gong teacher' training several times and received great reviews. A practitioner's conduct can be greatly trusted. In addition, the elementary school's principal has shown great understanding and support for Falun Gong activities throughout the years. Practitioners were able to quickly obtain permission to use the school grounds for the summer camp. From August 10-12, Xinging area's practitioners held the first children's summer camp.

All the participants appreciated the exciting activities. Although the temperature was high and it was very humid, the children paid careful attention during the Fa study. They read aloud from Hongying, ignoring the sweat pouring from their faces. Over the course of the three days, those children who used to lie stopped lying; selfish children began to help others; those who fought to be first for meals ceased doing so; children who used cuss words also stopped; they no longer cried when they fell down and were able to come into the classroom quietly and settle down quickly. Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance took root deeply in each of their hearts and minds.

During experience sharing, the youngest girl went up to speak many times. She never forgot to thank Master Li and her parents for allowing her to attend this summer camp and to thank the fellow practitioners for conducting the camp. She also promised that she would "bring home" the five exercises to teach her dad. Many of the children met new children at camp and became good friends because they are all Minghui students. After the camp ended, the parents reflected on how much their children had changed, even though the fifth sitting exercise is often uncomfortable to perform. The parents were very happy to see that their children were following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance in their everyday lives to become better persons.

Minghui Children's Summer Camp Held at Yunlin County Tuku Elementary School''

Practitioners teaching the exercises patiently

The lively programs

Yunlin County Tuku Elementary School conducted a Falun Dafa Children's Summer Camp on four separate days: July 11 and 25 and August 8 and 22. Many parents and children participated. The activities include free instruction in practicing the five sets of Falun Gong exercises, learning English, singing, reciting poems, art and other offerings.

Mr. Yang, who was accompanying his child at the summer camp, said, "Falun Gong teaches children to become truthful, compassionate and tolerant. This took away all my worries, and I really would like to learn it with them!" Another parent, Ms. Chen, said, "I've always heard of Falun Gong's wonderful effect, and today, when I saw the children practicing it with a such a sense of peace, I truly felt the practice's calmness and serenity."

A teacher from Anxing Elementary School said happily, "This must be the director's attentive planning. The children here are able to be exposed to positive moral influences. Moral education is the most important thing in a child's education!" She cared greatly about her child's education. When this teacher heard her colleagues exclaim, "Children who practice Falun Gong will not turn rebellious," she signed her child up immediately.

Tainan Minghui School Children's Summer Camp

Diligently practicing the exercises

Group exercises

Instrumental performance

On August 13, 14, and 15, 'practitioners held a Tainan Minghui School Children's Summer Camp at Chauanxizhai of 'Chengqing Lake in Gaoxiong. They used lively activities to bring the principles of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance into the hearts of the children, achieving great results. On "activities" day, more people than expected arrived, about 175 participants and 30 staff. Most of the staff were schoolteachers and practitioners who ha'd gained numerous benefits from practicing Falun Gong. Everyone patiently taught the children the exercises, introduced the books and gave hints on how to care for each other and live together harmoniously.

Summary

Modern society is full of corrupt behaviors. In order to give their children a healthy summer vacation experience, many parents signed them up for Minghui Summer Camps and allowed the children to accept the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, to guide them in their decisions of what is right and wrong. They also hoped that their children would become healthy and happy by cultivating their moral character.

It is exactly what students from the Falun Gong Club at Central University had said all along,

"Because we cultivate in Falun Dafa and know it is great and are able to feel the happiness of a practitioner, we hope that more people can feel the same happiness Falun Dafa has given to us. Every time we conduct activities we can always feel the contentment of the people who come to us. Perhaps some people have wrong opinions regarding Falun Dafa, though when they really get to know us, they can all feel the true and compassionate attitude that all practitioners demonstrate. Lies can also be uncovered. After each activity, many people start practicing Falun Dafa when they've understood the truth. When all people understand the truth about Falun Gong, they then will not believe the false propaganda being spread by the Jiang faction in China, and the persecution of Falun Gong will end."

These words truly represent millions of practitioners' heart-felt voices.

In addition, practitioner's' selfless contributions and their wish that everyone will have an opportunity to understand Dafa and become a good person who follows Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance, makes the future of this world one that is filled with hope.

September 5, 2004

(1) Fa: Law and principles; the teachings of Falun Dafa.