(Minghui.org) May 13 th is a very special day for Falun Gong practitioners – World Falun Dafa Day. On May 10, 2014, Falun Gong practitioners in Queensland gathered at Brisbane Square to celebrate this special day marking the 22 nd anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa. They demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises and handed out truth-clarification materials to help people learn about Falun Gong and the brutal persecution of the practice by the Chinese Communist regime.
Demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises at Brisbane Square
Dragon Dance performance
Practitioners in Queensland have a photo taken to respectfully wish Master a Happy Birthday
Many practitioners shared how they have come to practice Falun Gong and talked about the wonderful benefits of the practice.
The Miraculous Dafa
Binny started practicing Falun Gong in 2007 and has benefited a great deal from the practice. “I knew from Day One that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the standard we should follow in life and by following this principle I have benefited a lot in terms of my health, my work and studies. I have also experienced miracles,” she said.
“I contracted eye disorders and acute conjunctivitis. Doctors said it was too late for any effective treatment as it had become a chronic disease. I felt really miserable as my eyes were red and I didn't want to go out or see anyone. However, the problem disappeared three days after I began to practice Falun Gong.”
Kim travelled to Brisbane from North Queensland specially to participate in the celebration activities. She has been practicing Falun Gong for over ten years and said that the practice not only changed her, but also had a miraculous effect on her mother.
“I used to lose my temper every day. I was in poor health and had to take medication all the time. I also had poor eyesight and tears would swell up in my eyes when I read newspaper or books. I couldn't see in sunlight and had to wear sunglasses when I went out. However, not long after I read the book Zhuan Falun , I felt my eyes improving a lot and I could drive without wearing sunglasses. Falun Gong helped me a lot and all my family members and friends have noticed it,” Kim shared.
“Two months ago, my mum went to hospital because she had a severe pain in her abdomen. Doctors said she had late stage cancer and she could only survive for two weeks. I told her to sincerely recite 'Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance' is good.' My mother recited this every day. She returned home two months ago and now she's fine and isn't in pain. Doctors told her that she would experience excruciating pain, but she feels nothing and doesn't even need to use the painkillers that the doctors gave her.”
The Wonderful Book Changed My Life
Ryan from Vietnam and his wife started practicing Falun Gong two years ago. He happily said that Dafa changed his life.
Ryan and his wife
“By chance I learned that Zhuan Falun is book worth studying. I realized that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is what I need in life. I did many wrong things in the past. But two years ago, I gave up drinking and smoking. I love the people around me more deeply, and my family life is very harmonious,” Ryan said.
Ryan is very grateful to Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa. He said, “I wish Master a happy birthday! Thank you, Master, for giving us this wonderful book. It has changed my life and as well as the lives of my family members. I will do my best and cultivate well!”
True Traditional Culture
Falun Gong practitioners also performed a dragon dance for bystanders who gathered to take in the events. Hank, one of the performers said, “As a Chinese, I feel very happy and excited to be able to share Chinese traditional culture with people outside of China.
“There are so many people practicing Falun Dafa. Many people have gained good health and changed their world outlook through practicing cultivation. It's a truly amazing practice. It's such a pity that Falun Gong has been persecuted in China for so many years. I think every Chinese person should understand what Falun Dafa is about because the practice promotes our true traditional culture and helps people understand the meaning of life.”
A Solemn and Happy Day
Western practitioner Vlad has been practicing Falun Gong for over two years. He said that for him the most significant change he experienced was in his outlook on life. Now he has a positive attitude towards everything and everyone. At the same time, he has also learned not to be attached to himself. He feels that in the process of letting go of himself he's also realized the importance of being unselfish and the preciousness of Dafa. He often clarifies the truth to people he comes across. “I realize the importance of helping others to know about Falun Dafa and how Dafa can help people change for the better. At the same time I also tell people about the persecution that's still going on in China
“Today is both a solemn and a happy day,” said Vlad.
The Persecution Must Be Stopped
During the event at Brisbane Square, many people stopped and signed the petition letter against the persecution.
People signing the petition letter against the persecution
After signing the petition, Ally said, “I've heard about the [Chinese Communist Party's] organ harvesting [of living Falun Gong practitioners]. It's terrible! It must be stopped! I can't understand why people were detained for doing meditation or holding peaceful appeals. Falun Gong people are stepping forward to uphold their beliefs. They should not be detained. They should have freedom of expression.”
Audrey, Jeff and Nicolas, three young people from Montreal, Canada, were shocked to hear about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. They agreed, “It's terrible! Falun Gong didn't do anything wrong. The persecution is ridiculous.” One of them said, “What's wrong with doing meditation? Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is very good. No one should oppose such principles. These principles can make the world better and more beautiful. This is what we need in a good society.”
After the day's activities were wrapped up, towards late afternoon, the practitioners took a group photo to respectfully wish Master a very happy birthday.
