(Minghui.org) From December 4 to 9, 2024, Falun Dafa practitioners participated in seven Christmas parades held in Papatoetoe, Mangere Bridge, Kumeu, Browns Bay, Howick districts, Matamata town and Hamilton.
Many people said the performances by the Tian Guo Marching Band, dragon dancers and Chinese waist drum team were a breath of fresh air and deeply impressed them. People also praised the message of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance promoted by the practitioners and said that these principles benefit society.
The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in Christmas parades held in Auckland’s Paptoetoe and Kumeu districts and in the city of Hamilton on December 4, 6 and 8 respectively.
The Tian Guo Marching Band and dragon dance team participated in the Browns Bay, Auckland Christmas parade held on December 7.
The dragon dance team performed at the Matamata town Christmas parade held on December 7.
The Chinese waist drum team performed at the Mangere Bridge and Howick region Christmas parades in Auckland held on December 5 & 8.
The Government Should Not Persecute a Peaceful Spiritual Group
Jim Findlay hopes that the practitioners will persist in their conviction.
Jim Findlay, assistant to Member of Parliament Ryan Hamilton, was impressed by the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance, and said, “Their costumes are spectacular. The principles they believe in: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, are excellent and crucial to family, community, politics and even businesses, they are important to everyone.”
He said that he had heard of the persecution of Falun Dafa in China and wondered, “Why would a government persecute a spiritual group? It puzzles me. Persecution, wherever it takes place, cannot be tolerated.”
He thinks everyone should have freedom of belief, and society should tolerate different cultures and values. “If everyone in this world can support one another’s way of life, it would be an amazing thing.”
He hopes practitioners will persist in their faith and never give up!
Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance Are Qualities Everyone Should Have
Jane agrees with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.
Jane, a nurse, has a lot of respect for Falun Dafa and said, “The performance was amazing, and the costumes were beautiful.” She also said that she could tell from the demeanor of practitioners that they are kind people.
“The principles taught by Falun Dafa – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are similar to my values. As a nurse, I think everyone should have compassion and bring kindness to this world.”
Jane is also aware of the suppression suffered by practitioners in China, “This should not happen to anyone, not just Falun Dafa practitioners. There are many people in this world being persecuted at the moment, this is something terrible, particularly in China.”
She mentioned that for those who have not heard of the persecution, participating in such activities is a good way to pass on the message to community, “when people don’t know much about something, they are often terrified. However, through such activities, you show the community what kind of person you are, this is excellent.”
She encouraged practitioners, “Keep on going, continue to believe in Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance. Continue to do what you are doing now and be kind.”
Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Are Important
Sally Cargill, who organizes the Christmas parade in Browns Bay, invited Falun Dafa practitioners to participate in the event every year.
Sally Cargill, who has been organizing the Browns Bay Christmas parade for two decades, said that after she saw the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performance, she made it a point to invite them to the parade every year. She thought the band’s music was amazing and majestic, the costumes are beautiful and they bring a joyous feeling to the community.
Sally agrees with the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance and thought they are important in today’s society. She said these should be passed down through generations by parents to children. Unfortunately, many parents today lack such values and the children lose this inheritance, which is a pity.
Woman Praises Performance by Tian Guo Marching Band
Katy said that she was moved by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.
Katy works in the Hamilton City government. She saw the Christmas parade and said excitedly: “I love them (Tian Guo Marching Band), they were beautiful and amazing! I loved their music and attire. They complement one another, and this is a masterpiece.”
She was touched by the words Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance on the float: “I loved the values they pass on, it is awesome! We should learn from them.”
When she learned of the persecution in China, she said, “This is something I cannot imagine because we enjoy such freedom here.”
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