Truth in China
Wonderful Falun Dafa !
Introducing Falun Dafa in Fürth, Germany (Photos)
(Minghui.org) Practitioners from Bavaria traveled to Fürth, Germany recently to participate in the local Garden Festival. During the five-day event, they collected signatures, demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, and clarified the truth.
Mother and daughter learn the Falun Gong exercises
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises and clarify the truth
Passers-by were attracted to the gentle exercise movements and peaceful music. A young mother and daughter watched the first two exercises being performed, then enthusiastically joined in on the next two. Although her daughter was very young, she paid very close attention.
One lady stopped by to say that she was thankful to have had the opportunity to hear about Falun Gong and expressed a keen interest in learning the five exercises. She said she wasn’t aware that the practice had spread to so many countries.
One elderly gentleman approached the Falun Gong booth holding a copy of Zhuan Falun in his hand. He had bought the book after reading a flyer in another city. He decided to read the book on his own, since there wasn’t anyone else in Fürth practicing Falun Gong at that time.
When he heard that practitioners from surrounding cities were scheduled to attend the city-sponsored event, he knew that he had to come. He was very excited about meeting everyone and prepared a list of questions relating to the practice. He was both surprised and happy to find out that Master Li Hongzhi had written many other publications, too.
An elderly lady carefully watched each movement of the exercises. She then approached the practitioners and told them that she had been looking for a cultivation practice that she felt comfortable with. After a brief conversation, she decided that she wanted to start practicing Falun Dafa. She asked how much the book, Falun Gong cost, then realized that she didn’t have enough money on her to buy the book. When she was told that she could have it for free, she was overjoyed. She promised to cherish the book and study it well.
The practitioners also collected signatures, petitioning the German government to investigate the Chinese Communist Party’s crime of live organ harvesting. The petition also called for the release of Ruimei Ma, a Falun Gong practitioner in mainland China who is imprisoned in a labor camp for distributing truth-clarification materials.
The practitioners’ rescue activities had caught the attention of the local media, politicians, and city residents. People everywhere signed the petition, expressing their concern for Ms. Ma’s safety and their desire for her early release. Her son, Lebin Ding, resides in Germany and is currently studying for his internship.
A young lady signed the petition, then left her business card with the practitioners, asking them to keep her informed of the ongoing persecution in China. She took some Dafa-related fliers with her, saying that she would hand them out to some Chinese people at her university. As the festival wound down, many residents expressed that they were happy that practitioners had made the effort to introduce Falun Dafa in their city.
CATEGORY: Other Community Events
New York: Five Towns in Suffolk County Proclaim World Falun Dafa Day
(Minghui.org) May 13, 2013 marks the 14th anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day and the 21st anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa. On this special occasion, Town of Southhold, Town of Southampton, Town of Brookhaven, Town of Riverhead, and Town of Islip in Suffolk County of the Long Island, New York, proclaimed May 13, 2013 as World Falun Dafa Day in their towns.
The proclamations commend:
Whereas: since its public introduction in 1992, Falun Dafa teachings have helped over 100 million people worldwide improve their health, elevate their mind, uplift their spirit and deepen their understanding of life, humanity and the universe; and
Whereas: Falun Dafa encourages people to be thoughtful of others at all times and to be genuinely good people who share the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance as part of the universal human values that bridge cultures, nationalities, race, gender and age; and
Whereas: Falun Dafa is practiced and cherished by millions of people in more than 114 countries around the world and has received over 3,000 awards. Its main text has been translated into 38 languages; and
Whereas, In 1996, Falun Dafa was introduced to New York and planted roots throughout the tri-state area. A key to that success has been the organization group practices and free teaching classes which have been hosted in senior centers, corporate offices, health clubs, private residences, and public stations throughout New York City.
Whereas: Falun Dafa practitioners’ determination and courage in the face of adversity has shown the value of life and the preciousness of human dignity.
Now Therefore, the towns proclaimed May 13, 2013 as World Falun Dafa Day.
CATEGORY: Support/Recognition
The Chinese People Are Awakening
(Minghui.org) People in Mainland China are gradually awakening. They are listening to the Falun Dafa practitioners when they clarify the facts about the Communist Party. Many now support Falun Dafa, and despise the Communist Party.
Master’s poem, in Hong Yin III:
Glimpses of Goodness
Though an evil fog still lingers over China
Awareness of Dafa is spreading to each house
Lives are rescued, minds gradually awakened
Waking, police and citizens cease to obstruct
The masses know the evil Party is done for
All are talking about the CCP’s cruel and evil deeds
Evildoers and their head are seeking a way out
Traditional ways are returning to rectify China
The following are examples of the awakening happening in China:
Bo Xilai Will be Punished by Heaven
(Beijing) While Mr. Li, a resident of Beijing, waited outside the school for his grandson, he chatted with another child’s parent. This parent told him that Bo Xilai persecuted Falun Gong practitioners and was known to harvest their organs, selling them to foreigners for a huge profit. This atrocity convinced Mr. Li to withdraw from the CCP, and warn other Dafa practitioners to be careful, because the communist party was capable of anything.
Mr Li said, “Bo Xilai will be punished by Heaven!”
Card Players Support Falun Gong Practitioners
(Zhucheng, Shandong Province) While playing cards, the conversations cover a wide variety of topics. Emotions run high when discussing how moral standards are sliding down among the general populace. When Falun Gong practitioners are mentioned, everyone now admires them. Remarks are often made about how they display the finest moral standards. They wonder how it is that Jiang Zemin, who is so incapable, dared to attack Falun Gong? Nowadays officials are corrupt, they embezzle, and behave immorally. They feel that if Falun Gong practitioners become officials, citizens then will have a better life. Some are not convinced, feeling that once all people are in power, they become corrupt. One card player commented that Falun Gong practitioners never seek profit or fame. He shared his personal experience:
Several years ago he worked in the Zhigou Gas Station. Often there were oil tankers from other places coming in to make gas deliveries. The drivers would not completely empty the tanks, so they could keep some of it for their own use. The gas station staff knew what they were up to, but did not say anything and instead even took them out to dinner. One tank driver did not participate in this poor behavior. He would empty his tank completely, and not accept any free meals. He told the staff at the gas station that he practiced Falun Gong and therefore did everything according to the principles of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. He would never take advantage of other people. Indeed, every staff member was happy to see him, and always respected him. So, if he became an official, would his moral character change? Would he seek personal profit? No, Falun Gong practitioners are not that way. Then the others agreed with him and all spoke very highly of Falun Gong. They agreed that the Communist Party is doomed.
Police Officer from Gongzhuling City Regrets His Past Wrongdoing
(Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province) Before the CCP’s 18th Congress, police from a local police station in Gongzhuling City carried out the order of Gongzhuling City Police Department to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. When they came to harass practitioners, they would clarify the truth to them. One policeman understood that Falun Dafa is a Buddha’s Fa to save people. He told them he was sorry for his own past actions and and asked for their help to quit the CCP. His wife read Zhuan Falun, and wanted to practice Falun Gong.
Clarifying The Truth on the Bus.
(Mainland China) One day in December 2012, two practitioners were clarifying the facts of Falun Gong to passengers on a bus. They encouraged the passengers to quit the CCP. Six passengers in the front agreed right then to quit the CCP.
One girl on the bus who had been deeply brainwashed was not willing to quit the CCP. When the bus stopped and our fellow practitioner got off, this girl began to shout that this was a Falun Gong practitioner, and why should she quit the CCP? Others on the bus asked her why she was shouting. They said it was her own business if she did not want to quit the CCP, but that it is everyone’s right to practice Falun Gong, if they choose. The heated discussion went on, and some even scolded this girl and said that Falun Gong practitioners were good. She stopped her shouting and became quiet.
Practitioner B, who was still on the bus told passengers that the practitioner who got off the bus was a seventy-five year old lady. “She told you the facts of Falun Gong, disregarding her own safety in order that you could be saved. Cherish this opportunity.” The passengers expressed their gratitude, and couldn’t help but remark on how the practitioner looked much younger than her age.
CATEGORY: People Awaken
From Despair to Being a Truly Happy Person
May 03, 2013 | By Luhe, a practitioner in Shandong Province, China
(Minghui.org) I am 41 years old. When I was in school, I had the dream of going to college. I was good at studying since I was young, so all my teachers, parents and I had high expectations for me. However, one day I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. In disbelief, my mother took me to several hospitals for confirmation. The results were the same. Doctors told me that it was a chronic disease, I had to take medicine all my life, and it might also affect my fertility. I also had to avoid stress. Finally, it was made clear that I could not attend the final review for the National College Entrance Exam. With that, my dream of going to college ended. I cried under my bedcovers in despair.
Age sixteen marks the most colorful time in girls’ lives, yet I was beginning my medical treatment. Whenever my mother heard that something somewhere could cure my illness, she took me there. I tried Western medicine, Chinese medicine, and various ointments. None of them worked. My mother then took me to try various qigong practices in Beidaihe, Anhui, Jinan, and other places. Like it is said in Zhuan Falun, “They have not found the well-known masters after having been all over the country. Being well-known does not necessarily mean that one really knows things well. In the end, these people have traveled back and forth, spending much money and effort for nothing.” (Zhuan Falun)
In 1997, I learned Falun Gong. Within a month, I threw away the medication I had needed for nearly a decade. My body felt more at ease than ever before, and I truly experienced the feeling of having no illnesses.
After practicing cultivation, I understood that Falun Gong is for cultivation rather than treating illnesses. At work, I do everything according to the standard of Dafa: I try to be a good person everywhere. I don’t squabble over personal gains or losses, and I try to be kind to everybody. Our manager said, “I’m very lucky to have such a hardworking and competent employee like you.”
I know it’s Dafa that guides me to find the meaning of life, get rid of bad thoughts, and be a pure person. I feel that being a cultivator is the most wonderful thing.
Proving the Expert Wrong, I Had A Healthy Baby
I became pregnant not long after getting married. Because of my history of hyperthyroidism and having taken medication for ten years, my gynecologist told me to have an abortion. He reasoned that even though I stopped taking the medications, there were still traces left in my bloodstream that would affect the baby’s growth. Even if I had no symptoms at that time, the hyperthyroidism could relapse during my pregnancy due to the additional strain on my heart. If that were to happen, it would likely result in a miscarriage.
When I went home, my sister-in-law told me that one of her classmates miscarried in the seventh month because she had hyperthyroidism before. Another friend with a similar history delivered successfully, but her baby was developmentally disabled due to iodine deficiency. Those cases corroborated what my doctor told me.
I studied Zhuan Falun and knew that even plants have life. We can’t kill any life. I didn’t know what to do. When I discussed this with other practitioners, I was told that “Master has said in the Fa that a fetus is a life as well. Having an abortion is still killing, which will bring huge karma. Dafa can correct all wrongs. Study well and you will be fine.” This reinforced my confidence. I tore up the notice from the doctor and decided to believe in the Fa and Master.
I got up early at 5 a.m. and practiced the standing exercises. I studied the Fa whenever I had time at work and every evening when I got home. I listened to Dafa music, Pudu. I had no symptoms associated with pregnancy, such as vomiting or nausea. Thus, it was not until others saw the change in my belly three months later that they knew I was pregnant. I did the same things I did before my pregnancy, such as mopping, carrying water, and sometimes working overtime. Not only did I not feel tired at all, but my body felt even more energetic than before my pregnancy. People who saw me commented, “You’re pretty agile for being pregnant.”
One time, during my fifth month, one of my colleagues was welding a pipe. He asked me to stand away from him in case it hurt me. I stepped backwards but forgot there was a large oxygen tank behind me. I fell over it onto the ground. Shocked, everyone around me asked, “Are you okay?” I got up quickly and stuck my tongue out at them, as if I were a child who just tripped and got back up. I knew that I practiced Dafa and would be fine. At that time, I didn’t know that Master was protecting me.
After birth, my daughter behaved well and seldom cried. Even if she was alone in the room, she would quietly play by herself. My neighbor, who didn’t know I had a baby until I took her outside when she was three months old, asked, “Why did I never hear any crying from your home?” A little after she was one year old, she could recite many children’s songs.
Even now, I greatly regret that I didn’t enlighten that my daughter also came for the Fa, that I didn’t guide her to learn Dafa. I didn’t teach her based on the Fa’s principles and bring her up as a little Dafa disciple. I feel unworthy of Master’s arrangement and the hope my daughter placed in me when coming to this world. I must study the Fa well and correct my faults.
Getting Rid of My Inferiority Complex and Resentment, Clarifying the Truth Calmly
Falun Gong teaches people to be kind, improve their xinxing level, and let go of attachments to fame, self-interest, and sentimentality. Amidst today’s materialistic society, my body and mind were purified because I practice Falun Gong. I experienced true happiness.
In middle school, there were some naughty boys in my class. The teacher arranged one of them to sit right in front of me. I liked talking to him because he was funny. However, he spread rumors about me. One time, when I was answering a question in class, he called me a “hooligan.” As the ringleader, he led many other boys to laugh at me. I was educated in a traditional family and couldn’t bear this kind of mocking. As a result, I spent my entire middle school career in fear. That’s why when I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, my doctor said to my mom, “Your child must have been bullied, or she wouldn’t have developed this disease at such a young age.” From then on, I believed that that boy was the reason I didn’t go to college. For many years, my middle school experience hung over me like a nightmare. I was filled with resentment toward him and ignored him whenever I ran into him on the street.
It wasn’t until after starting cultivation that I finally realized that everything happens because of karmic relationships. People treated me that way before because I had karma, and ultimately it was caused by myself:
“One is that you might have treated this person badly in your previous life. You feel in your heart that it is unfair, “How can this person treat me like this?” Then why did you treat this person that way in the past? You might claim that you actually did not know it at that time, and this life has nothing to do with the other life. That does not work.” (Zhuan Falun,)
The hate that shadowed my heart for years dissolved at that moment. My newfound forbearance made me feel more at ease than ever before. Later, we even ended up in the same work unit. Even though he was on unpaid leave to do business, for work reasons we still met often. At this time, I had no more resentment toward him and greeted him kindly. I could talk with him about work seriously. Through further Fa-study, I understood that everyone who obtained Dafa has suffered a lot in history. Zhuan Falun states that “The black substance is karma that can be eliminated through suffering…” Maybe it was he who helped me reduce my karma so that I could obtain Dafa. If I didn’t practice Falun Gong, maybe I would be like many other Chinese people, deceived by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) into hating the Dafa that actually saves people and teaches people to behave according to “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” Everything in this world is insignificant when compared with Dafa. Thinking of this, I felt very grateful toward him.
Master asked us to clarify the truth of Dafa to the people who were deceived by lies and thereby save them. I thought, “I must save him so he can stay when the catastrophe strikes.” The next time I met him, I told him that Falun Dafa teaches people good things, that it benefits people’s mind and body, and that the Party is spreading lies to slander Dafa. He told me that he just took a trip to Hong Kong and said, “When I was in Hong Kong, I didn’t know what Falun Gong was. But I saw a lot of people studying it, so I guess it must be good.” When I heard this, I really felt that all the Dafa practitioners in the world are one body. Some tourists overseas may not have the chance to get a truth-clarification flyer, but the image of practitioners themselves are the best proof of the facts. For those of us in mainland China to save more people, it helps a lot. When I told him about the movement to withdraw from the Party and its affiliated organizations, he said solemnly, “Yes! I will listen to you and quit.”
I am grateful for Master’s merciful salvation that changed a life full of self-loathing and resentment to one that is honest and kind, and helps numerous lives to rise in the process of Dafa cultivation.
CATEGORY: Beginning Cultivation
New York: A Grand Parade of More Than 7,000 Falun Dafa Practitioners (Photos)
May 20, 2013 | By Minghui correspondents Tang Xiuming, Xiao Yan, and Zhang Jun in New York
(Minghui.org) More than 7,000 Falun Dafa practitioners from more than 50 countries and regions converged on Manhattan’s Chinatown in New York on Saturday, May 18. They held a magnificent parade to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public, demonstrating the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa and calling for justice and conscience. The vast procession impressed Western and Chinese spectators alike.
The Divine Land Marching Band leads the parade procession
A grand procession
Falun Gong exercise demonstration
The banner reads, “Buddha Fa Cultivation Benefits People Physically and Mentally”
“Falun Dafa Is Good”
Banner reads, “Stop Persecuting Falun Gong”
Practitioners holding banners that read, “Bring to Justice Ruthless Police and Others Who Persecute Falun Gong”
Beginning at noon, the march featured three large sections and 11 small sections, like a dragon with no tail in sight.
Each section presented a different theme: The first showed the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa and how it has been embraced worldwide; the second raised awareness and called for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong; the third section called upon people recognize the evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and to quit the Party and its affiliated organizations to ensure their own safety.
When the procession passed by, large crowds of people on both sides of the street stopped to watch. Many Chinese business owners came out of their shops to watch. Many Chinese were impressed and in awe: “How magnificent! So many people!” Some said they wanted to learn Falun Gong. Some people said, “Falun Gong has grown larger and larger.”
“What the Falun Gong parade conveys is peace, love, and human dignity”
Caroline and her daughter
New York residents Caroline and her daughter Catherine came to Chinatown for fun, saw the Falun Gong parade, and stopped to watch. Caroline raved, “Wonderful! What they convey is peace, love, and human dignity.”
University student David said, “I’ve experienced something very rich.”
Eighteen-year-old David is a university student studying business at a university in Pittsburgh. It was the first time he had ever been to Chinatown and the first time he had ever come across such a grand march held by Falun Gong practitioners. Before the parade set off, he took many photos. He said, “I’ve experienced something very rich, with splendid colors and smiles from people in the procession. I’m affected and smile, too.”
“Exhilarating parade can’t be missed”
Fred Seiden
Fred Seiden has lived in Manhattan for more than 40 years. He said, “I never expected to see such a grand and exhilarating parade today. My friend came from India to take part in this event, and he told me to come and see it, so I came. I don’t know how to describe my feelings. The band is so fascinating, those celestial maidens and those dressed in different ethnic attire–they are demonstrating traditional Chinese culture.
“Such an inspiring parade can’t be missed.” He carefully put the Falun Gong materials a practitioner gave him into his backpack and said that he would definitely learn more after he got home.
“I feel Falun Gong is good”
Mr. Xie is a retired doctor and loves photography. He held a long lens camera and took photos of the parade. He said that, since the CCP seized power in China, the people there have been subjected to all kinds of persecution. His father was labeled as a rightist by the CCP and was persecuted. He said that many Chinese people can’t realize this and mistakenly consider the CCP and China one and the same. He finally said, “All in all, the existence of the evil CCP is a misfortune for the world.”
Mr. Chen, in his 80s, was a businessman before he retired. He lives in Chinatown, and each time there is a Falun Gong parade, he comes to watch. He said, “The Communist Party is bad. What it has done are all bad things. I’ve been here for dozens of years. I feel Falun Gong is good and righteous.”
“(The parade procession) is really phenomenal”
Another Mr. Chen from Guangdong Province has worked in Manhattan’s Chinatown for more than 12 years. He said, “The parade is really fabulous! Wonderful! There are so many people.” “The CCP is bad. It is autocratic, corrupt, and wicked. It will never change. America is free and democratic, so there is such a good environment for such a grand parade to be held.”
Mr. Huang, who has lived in New York for over a decade, comes to see Falun Gong practitioners’ parade each year. He said, “Falun Gong is a good practice. It enables people to be kind. Falun Dafa truly teaches people to be good. Over so many years, who has ever seen Falun Gong practitioners breaking any laws!?”
“There are so many practitioners, how can I learn it?”
Mr. Wang from Guangdong Province held a Falun Gong flyer in his hand and watched the parade intently. He told the reporter, “It’s my first time to see a parade with so many people. There are so many people who practice Falun Gong. Can I can find it online? How can I learn it? Can I download its books online?” His questions answered, he said he would search for it online and begin to learn.
CATEGORY: Other Community Events
