(Clearwisdom.net) When the curtain rose again, under a vast night sky with numerous flickering stars, young ladies in simple white outfits holding lotus candles appeared on the stage, merging into the endless lines of Falun Gong practitioners shown on the backdrop. Slowly and solemnly, a gentle voice came afar, singing touching lyrics...
Spheres of candlelight, one after another
Sing a sad, stirring melody
Of tragic heroism by those who lived
A life of the spiritSpheres of candlelight, one after another
Tell a grand, stirring epic
Of compassion and strength by those who sought
To cultivate their heartsSo light up a candle
And let compassion and truth spread forth
Light up a candle
And illuminate the worldSpheres of candlelight, one after another
Stretching across, like a bridge
That unites those in this world
Who are just and kindSpheres of candlelight, one after another
Spreading forth, like a ray of hope
That spreads far and wide the beauty of honesty, kindness, patience.
Accompanied by song, the ladies danced gently with candles in their hands. A little girl in pure white then walked onto the stage while holding a lighted candle in both hands. The little girl represents orphans of the Falun Gong practitioners who have been persecuted to death in China. She also represents their hope. The dance tells how Falun Gong practitioners are safeguarding the universal truth and resisting the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) brutal persecution using their lives. From this piece, the audience can not only learn facts about the persecution but also see the hope and power of righteous belief.
This is the dance, "Candlelight Vigil" presented at the New Tang Dynasty TV's (NTDTV) Chinese New Year Spectacular, a powerful piece which moved numerous people to tears.
What a special group Falun Gong is! When the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" are slandered and trampled on, when everyday people are poisoned and misled by lies and propaganda, when facing the nearly 8-year brutal persecution by the CCP, the Falun Gong practitioners never give up. Moreover, they never fight back with violence. Instead, they have chosen to step forward to persistently reveal the truth to expose the lies, use their characteristic compassion to face evil and use their forbearance to end the violence.
In Mainland China, Falun Gong practitioners one after another appeal to the government peacefully, print and distribute truth-clarifying materials using their limited savings, risk their life to broadcast truth-clarifying videos. Their goal is simple, to let every Chinese person know the truth of Falun Gong and the persecution. Outside China, Falun Gong practitioners are tirelessly calling people in China and mailing out truth-clarifying letters and packages, and traveling to every corner of the world to raise awareness of the persecution and to call for action to end the atrocities. In addition, they are seeking justice through legal channels, running independent media outlets to break through the CCP's information blockage and to spread the truth. Their goal is also simple, to let everyone know the truth of Falun Gong and the persecution.
Starting in 2004, NTDTV started an annual Chinese New Year Gala/Spectacular to showcase the authentic Chinese culture. In addition, the Spectacular also features performances which highlight the persecution of Falun Gong in an artistic form. Most recently, the 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular has visited 16 cities in North America and Europe and is now touring in the Asia Pacific area. In every city visited, the Spectacular not only presented world-class performing arts but also made a profound impact on the spirit.
Drama critic Ms. Guo Jingzi said, "It seems that the stars in the sky and the candlelight were calling people to awaken from the maze. Though candlelight is gentle and soft, a presentation of so many is very powerful and moving."
Ms. Lin from the U.K. Said, "It is so touching. I was most touched by 'Candlelight Vigil'. Perhaps it is because I am a mother, knowing that so many good people have been persecuted to death for following the principles of 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,' my heart and soul were deeply touched when I saw the child come onto the stage. I cried. This piece was so touching."
After watching the Spectacular, French alto Teresa went to see alto Yang Jiansheng who sang, "Tiananmen Please Tell Me." Teresa said, "I am also an alto, can I sing your song?" She wanted to translate this song to other languages and wanted to sing this song at Tiananmen Square to call for more people to help end the persecution.
A Germany woman said, "Things that go around will come around. The moment at which those Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted to death were saved was so wonderful. I think this piece reflects our shared hope: Darkness shall never dominate the world."
Jim and Joanna have adopted a Chinese daughter. This New York couple said, "We enjoyed this Spectacular very much. This world is in desperate need of sincerity, compassion and patience."
After seeing the show, New York brain surgeon Michael Hahn remarked on Falun Dafa's principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." He said he would follow this principle in his future career.
An Atlanta resident wrote to the Spectacular's organizing committee: "The Show has a unique power which is very hard to describe and yet so wonderful. I felt a great compassion and couldn't help crying. The day after the show, I was still moved and touched. I felt that somewhere in my heart a divine flower had blossomed. The Spectacular is pure, compassionate and wonderful. Language cannot fully express my gratitude, and I know that you are the people who truly love us."
Vina Lee is one of the lead dancers of "Candlelight Vigil." She said, "When I was dancing, I tried to hold back my tears. I can't find a word which can accurately describe my feeling. It is not sorrow. In fact, I was rather calm. When the warm applause sounded from the audience, I was truly moved by the audience's understanding and their emotional response."
While so many practitioners have lost their precious lives in order to safeguard the principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," they have illuminated a path to the truth, and more and more people have chosen to join them.
Category: Perspective
