(Minghui.org) Nearly 2,000 practitioners celebrated the upcoming 16^th annual World Falun Dafa Day on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in several locations across Taiwan.

Falun Dafa Day is officially celebrated by practitioners around the globe on May 13 each year. Practitioners in Taiwan celebrated early as many will be traveling to New York City for Falun Dafa events next week and the annual New York Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference.

May 13 is Falun Gong founder Master Li Hongzhi's birthday, and the anniversary of the day that he first introduced the practice to the public in China's northeastern city of Changchun in 1992.

Practitioners gathered at two popular scenic spots at different ends of the island nation, Cihu Lake “Benevolent Lake” in Taoyuan County in the north and Xizi Bay in Kaohsiung City in the south.

In northern Taiwan around 1000 practitioners performed the peaceful Falun Gong exercises at Cihu Mausoleum and Memorial Statues Park in Taoyuan.

Nearly 1,000 practitioners in southern Taiwan gathered in Xizi Bay in Kaohsiung to respectfully wish Mr. Li Hongzhi happy birthday

Practitioners performed the Falun Gong exercises and shared the benefits they experienced through practicing Falun Gong.

Meditating in Taoyan

Demonstrating Falun Gong exercises in Cihu Park

Divine Land Marching Band performs at Xizi Bay

A Surgeon's Happy Family of Six

Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital Urologist Mr. Yuan Lun-Cheung and his wife Huiru, who has a Masters in law, have four lovely sons.

Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital Urologist Mr. Yuan Lun-Cheung and his wife Huiru have four young sons. Their sons often quarreled, and chased each other around to fight. But the boys' behavior underwent a big change last year after Huiru started taking them to practice the Falun Gong exercises and study the Falun Gong teachings with other practitioners. She also enrolled them in Minghui School activities on weekends.

“They seldom quarrel now, ” Huiru said, “Even when they have a small conflict, I guide them to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and to look within. They then behave themselves.”

Huiru used to feel very tired and wanted to sleep more, because she had to wake up in the middle of the night to look after her sons. But she became physically stronger after she practiced Falun Gong.

“I get up at 4 a.m. every day to do the exercises. I sleep less but I'm very energetic. It seems a pleasant and joyful thing for me to look after my four sons,” she said.

Huiru said before practising Falun Gong her husband used to have a strong ego. “He was not considerate of others, and complained a lot. He gave others a lot of pressure.”

Even Doctor Yuan said he changed dramatically after practicing Falun Gong.

“I became considerate and no longer complain. When I return home from work, I think that my wife must be very tired after spending the entire day of taking care of our sons, and I should be grateful. I always help her with household chores,” he said.

At work Doctor Yuan said he used to be very strict with other hospital staff during surgeries. After he practiced Falun Gong he became considerate and cooperates with his team well. The change in his behavior shortened the operating times. He has also become more patient and caring toward his patients.

“All these positive changes are attributed to the guidance of Dafa. I'm grateful to Master,” said Doctor Yuan.

Fortunate to Encounter Dafa After Cancer Threatened her Life

Ms. Xu Wan-fei, 55, has been practicing Falun Dafa for more than 10 years. Before she practiced she was diagnosed with a malignant form of cervical cancer. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy could not cure her, and the treatments caused her tremendous pain.

She followed her neighbor's suggestion and started practicing Falun Gong. A month later she went to the hospital for a checkup, and was told her that her cancer had disappeared. She was so excited that she thanked Master Li for giving her a second life.

Family Members Blessed for Supporting Dafa

Ms. Huang Xingyi began practicing Falun Gong in 2004. Through practicing Falun Gong she has become a happy person.

Ms. Huang said she used to get depressed easily and was often unhappy. Then 10 years ago she received a terrifying blow: she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Worried about who would take care of her in-laws and her three children, she sought treatment through qigong. One of her friend's suggested Falun Gong.

Three months after she started practicing, her breast cancer disappeared, and a large benign growth in her uterus vanished too.

“It's really miraculous,” she exclaimed.

Her husband witnessed her health transformation and has been enthusiastic about her participating in Falun Dafa activities. He also helps with her errands and chores.

Ms. Huang's brother-in-law commented on her good fortune, “Thanks to you practicing Falun Gong, your parents-in-law still enjoy good health.”

Her father-in-law is 93 years old and her mother-in-law is 92.

Falun Gong practitioners respectfully wish Master Li happy birthday

Related article