• Opening Speech
  • Excerpt of Speech by Democratic Senator Lyn Allison
  • Speech by John Launder, Secretary, International Society for Human Rights - Australia
  • Song: Calling You
  • Song: Stand up

1. Opening Speech

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, family and friends ! On behalf of the Melbourne Falun Dafa Association, we warmly welcome you to this evening's Celebration Dinner which marks 10 years since Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) has been introduced to the public. This event coincides with international World Falun Dafa Day events being held in over 50 countries to celebrate the universal principle of Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance.

Falun Gong is an ancient Qigong meditation practice that is deeply rooted in Chinese tradition, however its gentle nature reflects a part of human culture that resonates with people all around the world. Transcending the boundaries of race and culture, people are beginning to rediscover that honesty, kindness, tolerance and endurance are qualities that nurture us as human beings and define our humanity. Many artists, scientists, doctors and educators etc. are beginning to discover the very real and tangible effects that tranquility and benevolence have in their fields of endeavor.

For example, the Pure Insight website has become a successful forum for Falun Dafa practitioners who bring a holistic approach to their areas of research. We, Falun Dafa practitioners are very optimistic that humanity will come to a new understanding about the future and the universe through assimilating to these principles.

Tonight it is our pleasure to share with you a few performances of song and dance that reflect the tranquility and wonder that Chinese culture and Falun Gong have brought out in these performers.

On this occasion, we would also like to give our heart felt thanks to you, our family and friends and all kind-hearted people who have supported us in our efforts to end the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, a persecution which has lasted almost 3 years and affected millions of innocent people. As well, we give thanks to all those who strive to live according to Truth-Compassion-Forbearance at all times and under all circumstances, thus shaping our wonderful future.

We hope you will enjoy tonight's entertainment and delicious dinner. Thank you!

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2. Excerpt of Speech at 10th Anniversary Dinner Celebration of Falun Dafa by Democratic Senator Lyn Allison

2002/5/9

I am pleased to have been invited to this dinner to offer my support and thanks to the network of people in Victoria who have assisted the followers and practitioners of the Falun Gong in raising awareness about China's ban on this spiritual movement.

My colleague, Senator Vicki Bourne has been tireless in campaigning on human rights in the Senate and that has included the rights of Falun Gong practitioners.

As a Democrat, I strongly identify with the Falun Gong principles of Truth, Compassion and Forbearance. The Democrats are proud to stand for honesty, tolerance and compassion, which seem to me to mean pretty much the same thing.

Truth can be a threatening thing if it reveals the lies of others. I doubt that China would want to admit to lacking compassion for their fellow humans, and yet the campaign against the Falun Gong does just that. I think it is important to live a life of tolerance and patience with others. Forbearance seems to me to be about how we deal with diversity -- different cultures, different languages, differences in opinion, difference in beliefs.

I am not a practitioner of Falun Gong -- perhaps my health and wellbeing would be improved if I were -- but I defend the right of anyone to follow its beliefs and practices.

[...]

You know about the brutal treatment that has been handed down to the Falun Gong practitioners; that is why you have been moved to be supportive--but let me recap:

  • The movement was banned in China in 1999
  • Thousand of followers have been arrested and many have disappeared
  • People have sent to labor camps and psychiatric hospitals without trial
  • Legal representation is compromised by government propaganda and international witnesses are not permitted at trials
  • Sentences of 3 to 10 years have been handed down just for distributing Falun Gong leaflets in Beijing
  • People have been threatened with termination of their retirement pensions
  • The Falun Gong has been accused of causing the death of their followers
  • The Chinese influence has extended to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore where governments have been encouraged to make statements condemning Falun Gong activities

Thank you for your efforts in raising awareness of these human rights abuses. For the Chinese practitioners of Falun Gong, supporters worldwide are their only hope.

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3. Speech by John Launder, Secretary International Society for Human Rights-Australia, May 9, 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the invitation to attend this dinner and to say a few words on human rights and how I would see those rights reflected in the stated principles of the Falun Dafa.

As a human rights activist I see the adherence by governments to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a necessary basic precursor to peace in and between communities, in nations and between nations. This process starts with respect for the individual person and the expectation that individuals should act justly and compassionately between themselves.

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights puts it simply:

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

As Falun Dafa adherents have commented, all great religious and philosophic leaders have called for relationships between human beings to be based on such respect, such as

  • the universal call by Jesus Christ to all men "Love your neighbour as yourself..." and "...do unto others as you would have them do to you".
  • The founder of Buddhism, Guatama Buddha was renowned for his great compassion towards his fellow man. He preached this to his followers and those teachings have been heard down the ages.

In the secular world there are many organizations who urge their members to lead their lives in a way to benefit all mankind, for example, Rotary of which I am proud to be a member has its 4-Way Test for Rotarians to judge their actions

    1. Is it the truth?
    2. Is it fair to all concerned?
    3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
    4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Therefore the spirit of Falun Dafa as acclaimed by its call for Truth-Compassion-Forbearance is well in accord with the principles of the Universal Charter of Human Rights, such as stated in Article 1 and in the same spirit of the call of the great moral leaders through the ages, and of the universal appeal to men and women of goodwill who wish and strive to see a world of peace and freedom.

In a letter supporting Falun Dafa founder Li Hongzhi for the Nobel Peace prize a prominent scientist stated :

"Peace is the manifestation of compassion in human nature...peace is an ideal of mankind and the optimal state of civilization..."

" ...for the individual ...it is a virtue requiring great compassion for and understanding of others ...and when faced with disputes or conflicts ...requires great inner strength and courage.."

I think all who know of the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China are aware of the inner strength shown by so many ordinary people called upon to show extra-ordinary courage in the face of such oppression.

Let us look at some particular articles of the Universal Declaration and contrast their spirit with the actions of the Mandarins of Beijing who order their minions to oppress the followers of Falun Dafa and all others who seek to bring peace and justice in China.

Article 5

"No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Article 9

"No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile."

Article 20

  1. "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
  2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association."

What has been the Chinese government's response - since July of 1999 ?

Millions of Falun Dafa practitioners denied their right of peaceful assembly and association;

Tens and thousands of practitioners arrested, tortured, treated cruelly and inhumanely often to the point of death, others have been forced into exile.

It has to be noted that at all times those who have been persecuted and tortured have shown great dignity and treated their torturers with compassion.

These facts supported not only by information and documentation and photographic evidence by Falun Dafa practitioners but by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

The Mandarins in Beijing have shown by actions how opposite they are in their philosophy to the Falun Dafa.

  • They react in fear and hate;
  • they show no compassion for their own people, and
  • they distrust their own people, denying them the essentials of freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The actions of the Chinese authorities are also the antithesis of the Universal Declaration of human rights.

But always there is that very strong striving in most human beings for truth, for justice and compassion, which will continue to flower even in the darkness of oppression. The practitioners of Falun Dafa have shown these qualities to a very high order.

I wish you well and know your spirit will help transform Chinese society as well as enrich the lives of millions across all racial and national boundaries.

John Launder, Secretary International Society for Human Rights-Australia, May 9, 2002

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4. Calling You

(Composed for the 10th anniversary dinner celebration by Melbourne practitioner J. R.)

The door is open wide
So step in open up your minds
Here the sounds calling you
Hear them say
It is the way

So listen to the people
The ones whose minds are truthful
Let our hearts beat as one
As we fly home to freedom
Hear them say
It is the way
Calling you-calling you-calling you

Feel the rhythms of compassion
Feel the beat within your soul
Let it glow, let it flow
"The door is open"
Calling you-calling you-calling you

So surrender yourselves to the journey
Feel the brightness within yourselves
As endurance brings the lightness
As we fly home to freedom
Hear them say
It is the way
Calling you-calling you-calling you

So listen to your hearts
Feel your hearts within your soul
Calling you, calling you
"The door is open"
Hear the truth-feel compassion-feel forbearance
Calling you
Truth compassion forbearance
Calling you
Hear the whispers calling you
Truth compassion forbearance
Calling you

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5. Stand up

(composed for the 10th anniversary dinner celebration by Melbourne practitioner Kate Vereshaka after returning from Tiananmen)

How long before we stand up
Against this suffering
How long must they cry in vain
Before we stand up against this sham

How much darkness
Can we allow in the world
From inside the prison cell
They cry for help
They can not help themselves

The pain and torture is beyond imagination
And even babies and children are beaten
Their lives are taken
Their lives are taken

What is there to fear of kindness
What is a world without truth and forbearance

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Category: Dafa Day Celebrations