(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Boston gathered at the Boston Public Garden on May 10, 2026, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and to wish Falun Gong’s founder, Master Li Hongzhi, a happy birthday.
Falun Gong practitioners did the exercises at the Boston Public Garden.
As practitioners did the exercises, many passersby stopped to enjoy the sight. Many proactively sought to learn more about the event, while others expressed interest in learning the exercises after experiencing for themselves the positive energy that enveloped the practice site.
World Falun Dafa Day is celebrated around the world each year on May 13 and commemorates the date in 1992 that the practice was first brought to the public in Changchun, China. By 1999, an estimated 100 million people were practicing Falun Dafa in China.
“I Want To Learn Falun Gong”
Boston resident Lisa was taking a walk to alleviate the sadness from her father’s recent passing when she came across Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises. Her negative thoughts vanished as she watched the group, replaced by a sense of peace and calm. “I want to be like them,” she said. “They look so joyful, completely free of worry and depression.”
Lisa promptly started learning some exercise movements from the group. She said, “I think I will come here every weekend because I want to learn the exercises. It makes me feel very good.”
After learning about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, Lisa expressed indignation and sadness. “Besides breaking into people’s homes, these people who work for the CCP forcibly abduct, torture, and kill practitioners. This is wrong. They have no right to do that. Hearing about this makes me feel sad and angry. This should not happen to anyone,” she said.
Lisa said the persecution should stop immediately. “Please let them live their own lives. I would like to visit China myself to stop this persecution,” she said.
“I Will Do My Best to Support Falun Gong”
Abhi Datti was captivated by the practitioners as they did the exercises.
Abhi Datti, a photographer, was drawn to the sight of practitioners doing the exercises as soon as he entered the park. With their bright yellow Falun Dafa shirts, practitioners made a lovely contrast against the blue sky and green grass. While taking photos, Abhi Datti commented, “The exercises are very unique. This scene made me so happy, I wanted to capture it.”
Abhi Datti also found the melodious exercise music relaxing. “I feel gratified when others are able to freely express themselves, so I feel that supporting them is very meaningful,” he said.
Steven encouraged practitioners to persevere in their efforts to stop the CCP’s persecution.
Steven, a tourist from Maine, expressed delight after learning about Falun Gong and Shen Yun. He also condemned the persecution. “Many people remain unaware that this is happening,” he said. “As more people around the world learn about this unfolding tragedy, the greater the impact on public awareness. You are doing a fantastic job.”
He encouraged Falun Gong practitioners, saying, “Keep going, never give up. Continue to strive onward. More people need to be made aware of this injustice.”
“An Excellent Method Toward Peaceful Resolution”
Priyanka is originally from India and now works in Boston. She fell in love with Shen Yun after watching the show in New York City two years ago. After seeing a display board about the CCP’s efforts to derail Shen Yun performances around the world, she stopped to ask for further details.
After obtaining details about the CCP’s various attempts at sabotage, Priyanka became even more impressed by the peaceful and rational nature of Falun Gong practitioners.
“This event is wonderful. You didn’t retaliate with hard-line tactics, nor did you adopt the approach of ‘an eye for an eye.’ You countered everything through peaceful means. In my opinion, this is an excellent method towards a peaceful resolution,” she said.
“Waging an endless war is definitely not the right path. What you are doing truly embodies the spirit of peace,” Priyanka said while watching Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises. “I feel an overwhelming sense of peace just watching them. I’m sure whoever practices these exercises enjoys incredible serenity. I’m happy I caught this event today.”
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