(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania participated in the Chinese New Year celebration held by the University of Pennsylvania on January 30, 2016. They screened a brief documentary followed by a Q&A session and an exercise demonstration to introcue this ancient cultivation practice to the public.

Tena Thomason, organizer of the Chinese New Year celebration, remarked, “I like their peaceful exercises which are always warmly welcomed.”

In the third floor exhibition hall, practitioners played a short documentary to introduce Falun Gong. Afterwards, they answered question and demonstrated the exercises.

Ten-year-old Lu Zhuhan (in green) and her grandmother (right) demonstrated the sitting meditation, which attracted many people. Eight-year-old Mary Tale (in pink) and her mother from the audience wanted to give it a try, so they joined in the meditation.

Practitioners were also invited to demonstrate the exercises in the lobby. Several people approached them after the demonstration, and expressed an interest in learning the practice.

Simon, the owner of a medical consulting company, said to practitioners that he heard about the persecution of Falun Gong a few years ago at a medical conference. A doctor at the conference gave him a book about the state-sanctioned organ harvesting in China.

“The persecution of Falun Gong is absolutely wrong. It should end now,” he added.

Mr. Chen had a booth at the New Year celebration, where he introduced Chinese culture to the visitors. He praised the practitioners' approach of promoting traditional Chinese culture.

“The traditional Chinese culture is great, but nowadays very few people know what genuine Chinese culture is,” Mr. Chen said. “Your efforts are commendable. Although I don't practice Falun Gong, I often read Falun Gong materials. So, I know the situation well.”

He added, “the Chinese people believe in karma and reincarnation, and that whatever you do now, you will be either punished or rewarded later. The persecution, especially the organ harvesting, is definitely wrong.

“All Chinese want a bright future for China. But the corrupt moral standard and polluted environment in China will bring disasters to China. It is really dangerous. Falun Gong practitioners are trying to slow down or reverse this trend. I see the hope of China in you,” Mr. Chen said.

Tena Thomason, the organizer of the event, thanked practitioners for coming to the celebration every year since 1998.