(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023 was the 31^st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world and the 72^nd birthday of Falun Dafa’s founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi. Practitioners held activities in Hermann Park in downtown Houston to celebrate and share with the public the beauty and joy of practicing Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance.

Houston Mayor Proclaims “Falun Dafa Day"

On May 3, 2023, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner sent a letter of commendation to the Southern USA Falun Dafa Association.

He praised Falun Dafa for bringing well-being to people and practitioners for their extraordinary faith and courage in upholding the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and proclaimed May 13, 2023 as “Falun Dafa Day in Houston.”

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declared May 13, 2023 “Falun Dafa Day”

Proclamation:

WHEREAS, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a peaceful self-cultivation practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture that centers around the universal principles of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance and consists of five gentle exercises; and

WHEREAS, Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, has helped millions across the world to improve their health and moral standards, as well as deepens their understanding of life, humanity, and the universe, through the practice of Falun Dafa; and

WHEREAS, Transcending cultural boundaries, more than 100 million people in over 100 countries have become happier, healthier, and more altruistic through their practice of Falun Dafa, and World Falun Dafa Day celebrates the benefits that this great practice has brought to our society; and

WHEREAS, Since March 1995, Mr. Li Hongzhi started to gave lectures in the West,including France, Sweden, and the United States. Now Falun Dafa’s main book Zhuan Falun has been translated into over 40 languages; and

WHEREAS, Falun Dafa was introduced to Houstonians in 1996. Since then, free classes have been offered to many people in public places such as city libraries and parks; and

WHEREAS, Falun Dafa practitioners’ determination and courage to stand up for Truth-Compassion-Forbearance has shown the world the value of life and the preciousness of human dignity; and

WHEREAS, On May 13, 2023, World Falun Dafa Day will be observed in the City of Houston. the City commends the Falun Dafa community for their contribution to the spiritual and physical wellness of the people in our city.

THEREFORE, I, Sylvester Turner, mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaim May 13, 2023, as World Falun Dafa Day in Houston, Texas.

Practitioners Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

At the May 13 event, practitioners presented a diverse program, with young practitioners reading Master Li’s poems, group exercise demonstrations, waist drum performances, dragon and lion dances, and violin, pipa, and guqin performances.

Practitioners who attended the event came from different ethnic groups and ages, from toddlers to people in their 80s. They were in high spirits, reflecting just how wonderful Falun Dafa is.

They took a group photo and exclaimed in unison: “Happy Birthday to Master! Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!”

Practitioners wish Master Li a Happy Birthday.

Vietnamese practitioners in Houston wish Master Li a Happy Birthday.

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the five exercises.

Performances

Young practitioners read Master Li’s poems.

Passersby Support Falun Dafa

Hermann Park is a popular weekend destination in Houston, and it is always crowded with visitors. The practitioners’ performances, graceful exercise demonstrations, and melodious music attracted many people to stop and watch. Some said they could sense the joyful, uplifting spirit of the celebration.

Many people talked with practitioners, and some local residents said they noticed practitioners routinely held activities there. Practitioners gave the people they talked to small lotus flowers with the message, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.”

Practitioners explain what Falun Dafa is and how it’s persecuted in China.

A practitioner told a young woman about the physical and mental improvement that came from practicing Falun Dafa. This was the first time she had ever heard of Falun Dafa, and she read the flyer carefully. When she read about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa in China, she said, “It’s so bad that something like this [the persecution] happened!” She signed the petition to end the persecution and said she hoped more people would sign it.