(Clearwisdom.net) Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in the state of Texas. It is well known for energy and the NASA Space Center.
The founder of Falun Gong, Master Li Hongzhi, visits the NASA Space Center
Chinese people in Houston like Chinese traditional culture. In the 1980s, Qigong was popular in China, and spread to Houston, too. In 1992, Master Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Gong to the public. Due to its marvelous effects on curing diseases and keeping fit, Falun Gong spread in China quickly by word of mouth and then to Houston. Several Falun Gong practitioners invited Master Li to give a lecture in Houston. On October 12, 1996, Falun Gong founder Master Li gave a lecture at the Center for Chinese Education in Houston.
Houston city officials designated Master Li an honorary citizen and goodwill ambassador.
The Mayor of Houston proclaimed October 12, 1996, “Li Hongzhi Day” in Houston, Texas.
The Mayor of Houston issued a proclamation recognizing “Li Hongzhi Day” in the City of Houston. The proclamation stated, in part: “As the founder of Falun Gong, an advanced system of spiritual cultivation, Li Hongzhi has gained the respect and admiration of people around the world. Falun Dafa is based on the principles of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance), the virtues of the universe. Falun Gong emphasizes health improvement and leads sincere practitioners towards enlightenment.
“Falun Dafa transcends cultural and racial boundaries. It resonates the universal truth to every corner of the earth and bridges the gap between East and West…”
Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have introduced Falun Gong to the public by holding free Falun Gong teaching sessions and seminars.
Mr. Wang and his mother are beneficiaries. Mr. Wang participated in the seventh Falun Gong teaching session in Houston. He came because he had a problem with his eyes. He was a thin youth and worried about his eyes. He said at the time, “I am a graduate student at the University of Houston. I have come to learn Falun Gong because of my eye illness.” After practicing Falun Gong for a few months, his eye problem disappeared. He was delighted and confident to practice the system. He got his Ph.D. degree successfully later.
Mr. Wang’s mother, Ms. Han, has a memorable story. He recalled, “My mother had a big change after practicing Falun Gong. Before practicing, she had 'women's problems' for 28 years. She tried Western medicine, Chinese medicine, and various folk prescriptions, but nothing helped. Illness, pain and medical cost made her feel depressed. In the first half of 1998, she started practicing Falun Gong. Within a few months, her health improved significantly. Her illness was gone. Her temper became better and she was kinder towards others.”
On July 20, 1999, the then head of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Ms. Han went to Tiananmen Square to speak out for justice for Falun Gong. She was caught and escorted back to Nanjing forcefully. She was detained in Nanjing Mental Hospital (now named Nanjing Brain Hospital). She was injected with toxic drugs and forced to take other pills, too. “My mother selected Falun Gong for health improvement. The CCP imprisoned her for more than three months and tortured her with drugs,” said Mr. Wang sadly.
Ms. Chen also attended the seventh Falun Gong teaching session in Houston. She was from North China. Though she appeared strong, she came to get rid of her illness. She was unhappy then. She recalled, “I was infertile. In 1994, I had a medical examination in a hospital in Jinan. It was found that I had ovarian cysts on both sides. I had surgery to remove the cysts.”
“I was married that year. But I worried about my health. In 1997, I went to have a medical examination in a hospital. It was found that my ovarian cyst was like a quail egg in size. I did not want to have surgery. I was helpless. Then I heard of the news of the Falun Gong teaching session. I thought to give a try. After practicing for a short period, I went to a hospital for medical examination. My ovarian cyst was gone! Not long later, I was pregnant. In September 1999, I gave birth to my first baby.” Now she is a mother of two children. Now she has no worry on health and joins Falun Gong activities to share her experience.
Ms. Jin shared her family story, “After I began to practice Falun Gong, I become more caring of my family members and to do more household chores. When I go out to participate in Falun Gong activities, I cook food for my family before I leave. I work hard in a company. Once my husband said to my daughter, ‘Your mother has become quite healthy by practicing Falun Gong. You should encourage her to continue practicing.’ My husband knows the facts. He supports me.”
To spread Falun Gong to more people, practitioners have held many activities throughout the community over the years. Falun Gong is becoming better known in Houston, the “Space city.”
