(Clearwisdom.net) On June 6, 2009, thousands of Falun Dafa practitioners held a large scale parade in Manhattan, New York. In the parade procession that was miles long, many Falun Gong practitioners were dressed in their own countries' traditional clothing. They were pleased to have the opportunity to share their experiences of benefiting from Falun Dafa with spectators and hope that more people can benefit from the practice.
Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, was introduced to the public in 1992 in China. The meditation and exercise is based on principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The amazing healing effects attracted millions of people. In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the brutal persecution against Falun Gong, but the persecution didn't stop the practice from spreading. Instead Falun Gong spread to nearly one hundred countries around the world while practitioners inside and outside China have continuously and peacefully appealed against the CCP's persecution.
Falun Dafa practitioners from many countries join the grand parade in New York City. A practitioner from Poland displays a poster from her home country.
A practitioner from Switzerland in the parade
Practitioner from Japan: Practicing Falun Dafa helps me to be a good teacher
Ms. Yamakawa was very happy to join the grand parade in New York on 6/6/2009
At the spot where the parade ended, Ms. Yamakawa, in a traditional Japanese kimono, along with her friends, was watching the other groups march to the end. The procession was long. From the Divine Land Marching Band, which led the parade, to the last section of the Waist Drum Team, took over one hour to pass by. She said she was very moved seeing so many people participating in the parade including both westerners and Asians.
Ms. Yamakawa is an elementary school teacher who has practiced Falun Dafa for seven years. Her mother who started practicing Falun Dafa first. She noticed that the exercise not only improved her mother's health but also made her more patient and better tempered. She was intrigued by the exercises and she later joined the practice too. When she started practicing Falun Dafa, she was also starting as an elementary school teacher. In her work, she followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and developed a very good relationship with the students.
Ms. Yamakawa also stated that Falun Dafa is beneficial to all nationalities, in both mind and body. She hopes more people around the world are able to learn Falun Dafa.
Korean Practitioner: "I wish to bring the beauty of Falun Dafa to everyone in the world."
Ms. Zhao from Korea was in a colorful traditional Korean long dress. She said, "I met practitioners from many countries here." "I am very happy. I wish to bring the beauty of Falun Dafa to everyone in the world."
Ms. Zhao had practiced Falun Dafa for over ten years. "At first, I began practicing because my mother practiced," she said. "I liked it very much. To be a good person based on the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is really great. I have a healthy life and have learned how to be more considerate of others. Falun Gong taught me what is good and bad, what is moral and unhealthy. It helps me more easily distinguish the good from the bad."
Zhao said practicing Falun Dafa allowed her to find true happiness.
Austrian Practitioners: Found Falun Dafa after many years of searching
Mr. Christian (left) and Doris hold a banner that reads "Falun Dafa in Austria"
Doris from Austria is a nurse and Mr. Christian is an entrepreneur. They took turns sharing their thoughts with the reporter. "I am very happy to participate in the parade to show people that Falun Dafa is practiced in Austria too." "Many spectators were very friendly and supportive. They gave us 'thumbs up'"
When asked why they participated in the parade, Doris from Vienna said, "I just want to participate, to be part of it and to experience it in person."
Christian said, "Same for me. I had never been to New York before. I had been to Washington DC and participated in similar activities. I felt this was another great opportunity and wanted to be a part of it."
Both Austrian practitioners had practiced Falun Dafa for ten years. "For a long time I had been searching because I had a lot of questions," said Doris. "For example, [I wondered] why there are many different forms of religions, and why they are different from each other. Falun Dafa gave me the answers. I found Falun Dafa made my life harmonious. When I encountered something unhappy, Falun Gong taught me that the problem is within me myself. Only when I change, will my relationship with the family and society change and become harmonious. "
Christian had a similar experience. "Since I was thirteen years old, I had been searching for something, until I found the book Zhuan Falun. I tried many cultivation practices. They were quite interesting at the beginning but I couldn't persist with them. After I found Zhuan Falun I read it two times in three days. I then understood it was what I had been looking for. After practicing Falun Dafa, I experienced many changes. My capacity is larger. I can bear many things that I couldn't bear before. Of course, there are more changes that I could feel. I can't find the proper words to describe the changes."
Doris said she hopes that the Chinese people will know the truth with their hearts and see the truth, not blindly believe the Chinese Communist Party.
Practitioner from South America: More people are learning about Falun Gong
Manoj (left) from Latin America and two practitioners from Mexico
Mr. Manoj, from Latin America, started practicing Falun Dafa in 1999. He has joined parades held in New York City many times over the years. "It is tremendous to see so many practitioners gathered together," he said. "Practitioners come from different countries, different nationalities and different languages. I am very happy and it is a happy event."
Manoj talked about his experience of practicing Falun Dafa. "Dafa revealed to me the truth I had been looking for. Dafa taught me to be compassionate and forbearing. Because of Falun Dafa, my life has been happier and healthier. I experienced better and better relationships with the people in my life. Being set free from anger and illnesses, Falun Dafa changed me fundamentally. I am no longer selfish and have become happier every day."
"I believe Falun Dafa has been introduced to four-fifths of the Latin American countries. More people know the beauty of Falun Dafa, for example Mexico many Falun Dafa practitioners, as do Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Columbia, Dominica, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. More and more people have learned about Falun Gong and about the persecution in China."
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