(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Saint Petersburg were invited to participate in the local “Beauty and Fitness Expo” April 26-29, 2018.

The practitioners explained to those who stopped by their display that they could achieve physical and mental wellbeing by cultivating themselves based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. “True beauty comes from within,” as they said. They also raised awareness of the persecution of this ancient spiritual practice in its country of origin, China.

Demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises

Many visitors were drawn in by the information on the display boards and stopped by to find out more. Those who heard about Falun Gong for the first time showed interest in how to improve their health through the practice. Many people were impressed by the peaceful exercise demonstration.

One woman said she felt a strong sense of compassion from the practitioners demonstrating the exercises and was reluctant to leave their booth.

The lady named Ai from Kyrgyzstan watched the exercise demonstration and took note of a place to learn the exercises.

The practitioners were asked about their cultivation experiences and fielded many questions.

Vladimir told a practitioner that he has thought deeply about the meaning of life and studied philosophy. He condemned the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China.

Karina from Armenia has learned many cultivation ways and showed interest in the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She wrote down the website address and said she would find more about the practice on the internet.

A practitioner tells a woman in a neighboring booth about Falun Gong.

A visitor who had stopped by the previous day heard a practitioner talking about Falun Gong and the persecution and read the book Falun Gong then and there. He got online after he returned home and learned more about the practice and the persecution in China. He signed a petition online to show his support.

He decided to return and tell the practitioners, "I understand now that the persecution is not just an act of the person in power. It is a battle between evil forces and compassion."

Practitioners pose in front of their booth.