(Minghui.org) Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Dafa, introduced the ancient mind-body practice to this world on May 13, 1992, which also happened to be his birthday. Since 2000, Falun Dafa practitioners have been celebrating this date as World Falun Dafa Day. On the 24th anniversary of this tradition, I sincerely wish Master Li a Happy Birthday and all practitioners a great World Falun Dafa Day.
Outside China, practitioners celebrate this date with events such as parades, Tian Guo Marching Band performances, floats, waist drum performances, dragon dances, lion dances, and more.
Inside China, despite the ongoing persecution by the Chinese Communist Party, the practitioners still celebrate this tradition in their own ways. As far as I can remember, the weather on May 13 is usually very good, with bright sunshine and blue sky – perhaps the divine beings also celebrate this sacred day together with us.
I remember back in 2000, I was detained in a labor camp with over 100 practitioners for going to Beijing to appeal for Dafa. In this difficult environment, May 13 was our happiest day. We bought some fruits – which was very rare – and gave them to Master as an offering. We encouraged each other to stay firm in our faith. Sometimes we were not allowed to talk with each other, so we signaled to each other to remain diligent. Whenever I recalled that moment, I was always moved to tears.
After being released from prison, I once visited a practitioner on May 12, the day before World Falun Dafa Day. The practitioner was very happy to see me. “One practitioner from another area just gave me some carnations and I plan to give them away among us local practitioners,” she said, “So that we can all celebrate the special occasion tomorrow.”
The flower was very beautiful and my heart was happy as well. That evening, practitioners in my area put up lots of banners that read “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” in both the city and the countryside. One banner stayed on a tree for a long time. One day while passing there on the bus, I heard the driver commented, “Falun Dafa is outstanding and courageous! No one can crush them.”
In another year, I went out for a business trip on May 13. It was a fine day and I was full of joy. Right as I was looking at trees on the roadside, I suddenly noticed small banners on the tree branches. I looked closer and saw the phrases “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” I was very touched – practitioners in the area did really well.
There was a one year in which we went out to put up self-adhesive posters in residential areas on May 13. We covered every unit and we were joyful because people could learn the facts this way.
Several of us practitioners once went to the countryside on May 12 to put up banners. Everyone was trying different ways: some threw the banners up on the branches with a small weight (such as a stone), while others put up the banners using a fishing pole. After entering villages, some put up posters, some hung banners, and some distributed materials. One person who supports Falun Dafa was very happy to see us. “Thank you for decorating this area so beautifully,” he said.
May 13 during the pandemic was special. Another family member (also a practitioner) bought fruits and a birthday cake for Master Li. We celebrated the occasion by studying Falun Dafa teachings and giving away informational materials. This celebration had no fireworks and no festivals, but I was deeply touched – the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance will prevail no matter what.
This year, Master published “How Humankind Came To Be” in January followed by “Why Save Sentient Beings” in April. I am very happy for the world’s people because Master has revealed the truth of the universe to them. I sincerely hope everyone could realize how precious Falun Dafa is and cherish it.
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