From Aug.17-27, 2000, the annual large-scale Central Canada Exhibition was held in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. Every year during this time of transition between summer and autumn, millions upon millions of tourists from all over Canada and the United States are attracted to this gigantic event. It just so happened that "Canada Falun Dafa Week" was being celebrated during this year's exhibition.
Throughout the 11-day exhibition, Falun Dafa practitioners continuously demonstrated the five sets of practice exercises. By means of Chinese and English newspapers, fliers, large picture poster boards, banners, sound recordings, videotapes, etc., practitioners introduced the truth about Falun Dafa to the participants of the exhibition. They explained the current persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, and the situation of how the practitioners in China are being denied their rights of belief.
Many people were attracted to the smooth and elegant movements of the exercises. We handed out a copy of the newspaper with the truth about Falun Gong it to every person passing by. Some wanted to learn the exercises at our group practice sites, some wanted to attend the 9-day session. Many were so shocked and indignant at the suppression on Falun Gong by the Chinese government that they signed their names, one after another, on the petition letter condemning the Chinese government for its brutal act. A tourist from New York signed his name on the petition letter without hesitation after he saw the picture poster about the cruel suppression on Dafa practitioners by the Chinese government.
One day, when practitioners were demonstrating the first set of exercises, an elderly lady couldnt help stopping to watch and applauded for us. She came to the front of our table and grabbed the hands of a practitioner, saying, (referring to the beautiful movements of the exercises) "Its so beautiful, so beautiful!" We introduced Falun Dafa to her and gave her a copy of the newspaper. She said that she had completely lost her hearing. She was surprised as well as pleased when she learned that all activities of Falun Dafa were free of charge and all of the practitioners present at the exhibition were volunteers. She said that she would learn Dafa at our practice site.
On Aug. 26, a huge and grand two-hour long parade was held by close to one hundred Dafa practitioners from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and other places. Accompanied by the auspicious music of "Pudu", Dafa practitioners held the bright banners high and walked around the downtown of Ottawa, catching the attention of tens of thousands of people. Many people present congratulated us by applauding, hailing and blowing the horns.
On Aug. 27, the last and the most special day of the exhibition--"China Day", the organizer arranged quite a few entertainment programs including songs and dances with Chinese characteristics. The promotion of Dafa on "China Day" brought the 10-day exhibition to the climax. Many Chinese, who visited the Exhibition, got to know Falun Dafa and what is happening in China.
This 11-day demonstration make us feel deeply that it is very important to clarify the truth of Falun Dafa to more people. As far as living beings are concerned, the moment when people hear about the Buddha Fa (laws and principles) and develop the righteous thoughts is an eternal and magnificent moment. With this in mind, the little contribution from us is really not worth mentioning.
Falun Dafa practitioners in Canada
August 28, 2000