(Minghui.org) The Toronto Divine Land Marching Band held its the third cultivation experience sharing conference on June 28 at The Plum Blossom Centre. After the conference, members also put on a concert of performances by each section of the band.
The conference hall
Practitioners present their experience-sharing articles.
The concert after the conference
Community Impact
Mr. Chen, a senior member of the band who plays the flute, gave a brief introduction to the history of the band, which was founded in April 2006. In the last nine years, the band has played a major role in popular community events in the Toronto area.
“I remember all the events, such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade in March, the Easter Parade in April, and the Falun Dafa Day Parade in May. Every June, we performed at the Honey & Bread Parade in Mississauga, the Flower Festival Parade in Brampton, the Sound of Music Festival Parade in Burlington, and Multicultural Festival in Oshawa. We also participated two Canada Day parades every July, St. Catherine's Day Hat Parade in September, and the Thanksgiving Parade in Waterloo in October.”
“Besides the events in Canada, we also performed at many parades in the U.S., such as Falun Gong marches at international experience-sharing conferences in New York, Washington DC, and Chicago, parades that supported Chinese citizens' withdrawals from the communist party, and some Christmas parades.”
“'The Toronto band has performed at more than 100 events in the last nine years.”
Cultivation Journey
Ms. Chen said in her speech, “I am lucky and honored to be a member of the band. As cultivators, we will be able to save sentient beings through this project only if we put our hearts into it, get rid of all unrighteous thoughts, and treat people with compassion.”
Another speaker, Ms. Li, who plays clarinet in the band, is one of the most senior members in the band. She recalled her journey of cultivation.
“When I first joined the band in 2006, my kids were seven and nine. I took them to every parade that we joined. They walked along with the band when they were young, and started to play trumpet when they got a little older.”
“We have played in a lot of severe weather, and sometimes we had to drive very far for the event. Time has flown by. Now my kids grow up. They are lucky to join the project of saving people under Master's guidance.”
Ms. Li said that she appreciates the cultivation environment in the band.
“Everybody's motivation is pure. We are the largest Chinese marching band in Canada. Although each individual member is not the best musician, we work harmoniously, and with Master's help we are always able to demonstrate the spirit of Dafa. People like our performances. They see the beauty of Dafa and the truth about the persecution. Some people even started to cultivate Dafa after seeing our performances.”
Young Band Member: Broadening My Understanding
Li Xibei, a tenor saxophone player, joined the band four years ago. She said in her sharing: “For a long time, I thought I was simply helping Master rectifying the Fa. But one day all of sudden, I realized that joining the band is also an opportunity that Master gave me to improve myself in cultivation. The band has helped me to cultivate.”
Li Xibei wanted to join the band when she first came to Canada in 2006. But seeing how hard her mother had to practice and perform in the band, she gave up the idea. A few years later, she heard a band member saying that the band will one day perform at Tiananmen Square. She was excited—“All the hardship means nothing, if I can participate in a parade at Tiananmen Square.” So she joined the band.
“Looking back, I know that it was a strong attachment. But it was my initial motivation,” Li Xibei said.
“Practicing with the group takes a lot of time. But I realized that the practices actually did not slow me down in doing other things. On the contrary, because of my tight schedule, I had to arrange my time more efficiently, and ended up with more time to read the Fa and do the exercises. I also have more time to do other things.”
“I’ve participated in numerous parades. The original attachment to the parade at Tiananmen Square has faded away. Now, my thought is that I should place importance on every event, because every spectator has a predestined relationship with us, and we have the responsibility to save every one of them.”
New Members: Perseverance and Purity
Ms. Qin joined the band recently. She said: “Last April, when the band was recruiting new members, I wanted to give it a try. But after a while, I felt that it was too hard for me to play an instrument, so I quit.”
“This year, the band was recruiting again. The coordinator encouraged me to try again. I was nervous, for I lost confidence after failing last year. I started looking inward for the reason why I failed. After a few days of thinking, I found that the reason was that my motivation of joining the band last year was not pure. I wanted to join the band, because I wanted to practice playing an instrument with my son so that he would be able to join the band. Also, I didn’t have deep understanding of the band’s mission of saving people.”
“I shared my thoughts with my husband and son. I said to them that it would be my last chance to join the band. My goal is to collaborate with other and save people. Even if my son could not join the band, I would still do it. Both of them supported and encouraged me.”
On June 6, Ms. Qin joined a parade for the first time. “I had a sacred and exciting feeling,” said Ms. Qin.
Mr. Zhong, also a new member, shared his experiences of overcoming difficulties.
“I didn’t play any instrument. When I first joined the band, I had a lot of difficulties learning the euphonium. It was so frustrating. Many times, I thought of quitting. I even found many excuses—other practitioners have quit the band, why can't I?”
“But Master’s teachings encouraged me. Also, I thought of the fellow practitioners in China, who have been working to save people in such a severe environment. Compared to theirs, my difficulties are really nothing.”
“Having a solid and strong mind defeated the difficulties. I also need to give credit to fellow practitioners, who helped and encouraged me in this process.”
“I have attended many parades. Whenever I saw spectators applauding, smiling, and videotaping us, I feel the joy with them. I am so happy that they support Dafa, know the truth, and are saved.”
