(Minghui.org) This May 13 marks World Falun Dafa Day and the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public. Approximately 7000 Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered in New York City on May 12, 2012. They held a grand parade in Manhattan's Chinatown to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction and the 13th World Falun Dafa Day. They wanted to express their gratitude to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, for introducing Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the Great Law of the universe, to the world. They also thank revered Master for his compassionate salvation.
A grand procession
The Divine Land Marching Band in the parade
The Divine Land Marching Band
The Falun Gong exercise demonstration team in the parade
The Falun Gong exercise team
The banner reads: “Respectfully Wish Revered Master Happy Birthday and Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Falun Dafa's Public Introduction”
The parade was divided into three sections: Dafa's Widespread Acceptance, The Never-ending Wrong [The Persecution in China], and People from All Walks of Life Support the Three Withdrawals and Disintegrating the CCP. The parade extended more than a dozen blocks, with 7000 practitioners and thousands of banners and display boards of different colors fluttering in the breeze, conveying many messages: “Heaven and Earth Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Falun Dafa's Public Introduction,” “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” “Historical Changes Draw Near, Truth Is the Guiding Light,” and “Heaven Will Eliminate CCP, Quit the CCP for One's Own Safety.”
A grand parade
The banners say, “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”
A grand parade
The banners read, “Stop Persecuting Falun Gong”
The Nine Commentaries and Three Withdrawals
Honoring practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution
Practitioners holding representations of the book Zhuan Falun in different languages
Parade procession
Practitioners holding banners that say, “Bring Jiang Zemin and His Gang to Justice for Persecuting Falun Gong ”
Parade procession
Exercise demonstration team
Parade procession
The Divine Land Marching Band composed of more than 300 Falun Gong practitioners led the vast and grand parade. The resounding sounds of “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Fa Drums and Fa Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions,” “Fa Rectifies Heaven and Earth,” “Delivery of Treasure,” and “Falun Holy King” were stirring and inspiring. The models of huge Falun Gong books shone in the sunlight. The elegant and graceful Celestial Maidens and auspicious Dragon and Lion Dances followed. At the end of the first section of the parade was a large line-up of practitioners from Taiwan who demonstrated the peaceful Falun Gong exercises. The second section composed of practitioners from Canada and cities in the U.S. sought to raise awareness about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China. Practitioners dressed in white carried portraits of practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution. The third section displayed proclamations of praise and support for Falun Dafa from people of different countries. Chinese people who have learned the facts have withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
New York resident Dora said, “I've lived in New York for more than 30 years, and it's the first time I've ever seen such a wonderful parade. I'm really delighted. Please take a photo of me and my friend in Chinatown.”
Chinese spectator: I know Falun Gong is very righteous
When the parade passed the front of a church, Ms. Lu and her husband, who have lived in New York for 11 years, stood quietly watching the parade. Ms. Lu told the reporter, “I'm Christian, but I support Falun Gong. I read the Epoch Times newspaper daily, and I know Falun Gong is righteous. But the CCP is evil—that's why it persecutes Falun Gong. Evil will never prevail. Look how spectacular, how grand [the parade is]. I know the CCP is close to its demise, and I'm looking forward to seeing it every day.”
Mr. Cai, who came to New York more than a year ago, saw the parade and said, “We couldn't see such a spectacular parade in China. It's really exciting.”
Ms. Yu, who came from Taishan in China, said emotionally, “I've watched for almost an hour, but I still haven't seen the entire procession. There must be several thousand people. I feel really happy for them. A 20th anniversary is really worth celebrating. So many people practice it, it must be very good.”
An elderly Chinese man watched the parade until it reached its destination. He held an Epoch Times Special Issue in hand and told the reporter, “I read the Epoch Times every day. I like Falun Gong, and I support it.”
Ms. Wang, who just arrived in New York several months ago, said, “When I was in China, I believed the CCP's slander and propaganda against Falun Gong, and I even persuaded my family members not to practice it. When I came here, I learned the CCP's propaganda is all false. Now I not only advise my family members to continue practicing it, I also want to practice it.”
A middle-aged Chinese woman told the reporter how she learned about Falun Gong. She said, “Falun Gong teaches Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I think that's good. I took informational materials and CDs about Falun Gong from practitioners. After reading it and watching them, I know Falun Gong is good. ”
Tourists: Principles that should be understood by people around the world
Michael from Massachusetts
Michael from Massachusetts saw the parade as soon as he arrived in Manhattan. He said, “I never expected to see people from so many countries and regions gather here for this celebratory event. I like it very much. I saw many good messages. I very much agree with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, which should be understood by people around the world. Thank you!”
Subodh from Mexico learns things he did not know
Subodh from Mexico said, “It's first time for me to see such magnificent parade. I learned a lot that I didn't know before. I'll go back and read carefully the materials I took today, and then get online to learn more.”
Hong Kong Practitioner: I thank Master for saving my daughter and me
Ms. Li Mingyue and her daughter, Li Xiaolang, from Hong Kong came to New York for the first time to participate in the celebratory activities
In 1997 when Li Xiaolang two months old, she got pneumonia and was hospitalized twice. She was in critical condition. Her mother, Ms. Li Mingyue, suffered from postpartum depression. Ms. Li said that she was desperate and felt life was meaningless, because she couldn't protect her baby after she was born. She wanted to die. At that time, her neighbor introduced her to Falun Dafa. Ms. Li spent three sleepless nights finishing the book Zhuan Falun. She said, “I was thinking at the time: 'This is what I'm looking for.'
“Then I immediately played Master's lectures for my baby, and she slept for three days. After she woke up, she was miraculously recovered. She became a healthy and lovely baby.”
Although enduring through ups and downs for more than ten years, mother and daughter participate in truth clarification projects. The daughter is a photographer and has taken photos during every parade held in Hong Kong. She said, “I can stay on my cultivation path, thanks to my practitioner mother.”
Mother Encourages Me Not to Give up Cultivation
Mr. Shen learned about the practice with his mother in 1998, but he did not become a true practitioner until 2007. When the Chinese Communist Party started the persecution shortly after, in 1999, his mother went to appeal at the State Council's Appeals Office in Beijing and was subsequently subjected to constant harassment and persecution. She was detained three times between 1999 and 2001 and was subjected to two years of forced labor in 2001. Mr. Shen was 12 years old at the time. There was no cultivation environment for him then. He later went to Canada to further his studies. Mr. Shen said, “After my mother was released from the labor camp in 2003, she kept making phone calls to tell me to continue practicing Falun Gong. Mother kept encouraging me at the risk of her own safety, because our telephone conversations were tapped. Later, prison guards played the recording of the telephone conversations between my mother and me, which became one of the reasons they persecuted her more.
“Dafa has been spread for 20 years. If the CCP had not persecuted Falun Gong, I wouldn't have begun my practice in 2007. I'm sad for having missed so many years of precious time.” Mr. Shen said, “The persecution is still ongoing in China. I hope it will end soon.”
Persecution Fails to Change Her Faith
Hanna (middle) has remained steadfast in her belief despite the persecution and seizes every opportunity to tell people the facts about Falun Gong
Hanna began practicing Falun Gong in 1995. At that time she suffered from a serious nervous breakdown. She could only sleep one night in a week. She felt so bad that she wanted to commit suicide. Three months after she began the practice, she could sleep well. Hanna said, “I didn't get along well with my mother before. After I conducted myself according to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I knew I should treat my mother kindly and be considerate of her. In return, my mother has been supportive of me, since I lost my job for practicing Falun Gong in 1999.”
Hanna was detained for two weeks after she appealed for Falun Gong in Beijing in October 1999 and later was sent to a brainwashing center. She was an accountant with a large-scale enterprise and was fired from her job for remaining steadfast in practicing Falun Gong. The third time she appealed, the police threatened her, “If you go to appeal again, we'll send you to a forced labor camp.” Hanna kept appealing and was subjected to one year of forced labor. Later on, she was incarcerated in brainwashing centers many times, but she still remained steadfast in her belief. She made the best use of time to tell people the facts about Falun Gong. But the police kept harassing her. She had to leave China for Thailand and came to the U.S. four years later.
When she was in Thailand, Hanna cherished each day and went to docks daily to clarify the facts and advise Chinese tourists to quit the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. After she arrived in New York, she kept clarifying the truth and helping people withdraw from the CCP at the docks every day. Hanna said, “The situation has changed greatly, and people are waiting to learn the truth. Tourists at the tourist sites now come up to get materials from me.”
An Entire Family Cultivates Dafa
Mr. Zheng from Singapore began to cultivate Falun Gong with his mother, despite the CCP's slanderous propaganda
Mr. Zheng is a university student. He began practicing Falun Gong with his mother in 1999. After reading experience sharing articles by practitioners, he thought the practice was really great and decided to cultivate. He took no notice of the CCP's propaganda. He said, “During my 13 years of cultivation, Master has given me many good things. I'm healthy, and I didn't take pills or get injections. Dafa teaches people to be good—that's really great.”
Mr. Chen and Mr. Ong and their family members are all practitioners. They have benefited a lot physically and mentally
Mr. Ong from Singapore said that he began practicing Falun Gong in 1997, and his entire family joined him. Mr. Ong suffered from high blood pressure and stomach problems due to work pressure. His illnesses disappeared after he had practiced for a few months. He had a bad temper before. After his practice, he took Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance as the guideline in treating others. His management approach changed, and he got promoted from deputy manager to manager of a Japanese company.
Mr. Chen is a university student in Singapore. His mother began practicing Falun Gong in 1998. Doctors said that she might have a brain tumor. Her colleague introduced her to Falun Gong. Since his mother began the practice, she has been in good health, so his family of six all began to practice.
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