(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Washington, DC, gathered at the National Mall on May 2 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. From those in their 20s to some in their 80s, they all say they have benefited from practicing Falun Dafa and following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Practitioners doing the exercises on the National Mall in Washington DC on May 2
Practitioners celebrate World Falun Dafa and the birthday of the founder of the practice Mr. Li Hongzhi.
Support From Elected Officials
Proclamation from Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, issued a special citation to congratulate Mr. Li Hongzhi on his birthday. “Because of your demonstration of high integrity and ability, we are most pleased to award you the Governor’s Citation in appreciation of your outstanding services to the citizens of this State.”
Congratulatory letter from Maryland House Speaker Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk
Maryland House Speaker Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk also sent a congratulatory letter to celebrate the upcoming World Falun Dafa Day on May 13. “Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient spiritual discipline rooted in the Buddhist tradition, centered on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. The practice encourages individuals to cultivate integrity, kindness, resilience, and inner peace in their daily lives,” she wrote.
“This occasion also serves to recognize the perseverance of practitioners who continue to uphold their freedom of belief in the face of ongoing persecution in China,” the letter continued.
Tourists Interested in Learning to Practice Falun Dafa
Genene Geda, an engineer from Colorado, said he was visiting his sister in Washington, DC. He was drawn to the sight of Falun Dafa practitioners doing the exercises on the National Mall lawn. He said the event was very peaceful and beautiful, especially with the backdrop of Capitol Hill.
Genene Geda from Colorado
Interested in improving his health, Geda took some information and said he would look at it. He also planned to learn the exercises and even return for the event next year.
A tourist from New Jersey also liked the practice. Because his mother was into meditation, he said he would take her some information about Falun Dafa. A mother with three children also took a flyer, saying this was the first time she’d heard about the practice and was interested.
Several visitors from Mumbai, India, enjoyed the exercise demonstration and took some information. Five high school students from Missouri, four of them of Chinese descent, were in Washington for a competition. They all took brochures about Falun Dafa.
A Miraculous Recovery
Jason began practicing in 2013 after someone gave him a Falun Dafa flyer in a park in San Francisco. At that time, he was trying out different meditation and spiritual practices.
“Two weeks after I began reading Zhuan Falun anddoing the exercises, the injuries in both my knees improved a lot, and I was able to do exercises and play sports again,” he recalled. “I thought I would never be able to do them again because I found it difficult to run or even stand in one place for extended periods.”
Jason is thankful for Falun Dfa.
He said practicing Falun Dafa also improved his character. “I also found it easier and easier to get along with people, and my compassion and ability to tolerate difficulties and others’ differences increased,” he explained. “Now I rarely have conflicts with my family. If I do, it’s easier for me to look at myself and correct what I can with me instead of trying to put all the blame on someone else.”
A Happier Life
Madalina began practicing in 2020 after her best friend in Romania told her about Falun Dafa. She had a very difficult childhood, because her father was an alcoholic and her mother left. She resented her parents. She thought that moving away from them would make her life better, but that wasn’t the case; she couldn’t get rid of her resentment for them.
After she read the Falun Dafa books, she realized that, if she wanted to become a happy and kind person, she needed to change her heart and let go of her resentment for her parents.
Madalina
Her father, who is nearly deaf, had to fill out a legal document. “When the notary asked him to confirm his name and he couldn’t hear ... he looked into my eyes with such a helpless expression. I felt a surge of compassion,” Madalina recalled. “Later that day I cried at home, but I did not know why. When I was reading Falun Dafa’s teachings, I realized it was compassion since I no longer hated him. I realized how much he had to suffer.
“I am very grateful to Master Li Hongzhi for introducing Falun Dafa and teaching us such a wonderful cultivation method. Practicing Falun Dafa improves my life every day. Just being able to stop harboring resentment for my family has completely changed my life,” she explained. “Even when I encounter challenges, I know there is always something I can do to improve myself. Falun Dafa is very special and amazing.”
Constantly Improving Oneself
Kerry began practicing Falun Dafa in 1999. “I felt stressed as I headed to my office one day when I saw some people doing gentle exercises in a nearby park. The atmosphere felt so peaceful that I wanted to join them, but I didn’t dare. So I took a flyer and called the number,” she recalled.
“An American man answered the phone and spoke to me at length about his experience practicing Falun Dafa. When I got off the phone, something amazing happened—tears streamed down my face. I didn’t know why I was crying. Only years later did I learn through Master’s teachings that true compassion—with no selfish thoughts—will move a person to tears.”
Kerry has practiced Falun Dafa for 27 years.
After she began practicing, Kerry realized there are many areas where she needed to improve: “I’ve met many kind practitioners. Their demeanor and temperament are something that I can hardly achieve even if I try hard. When I meet fellow practitioners who can still be compassionate to others even when they are experiencing great difficulties, their forbearance reminds me why I started practicing Falun Dafa.”
A Young Practitioner Is Grateful
Shen Luwei is a Chinese-American student. She was born in Shanghai and has practiced Falun Dafa with her parents since she was a child. “My dad told me he started practicing when he was 25 years old, and now I’m 25 years old,” she said.
Shen Luwei
Shen said practicing Falun Dafa has benefited her in many ways, such as giving her resilience: “Whether in my studies or in life, whenever I encounter difficulties, I remind myself that suffering is an opportunity to improve, so I shouldn’t complain.”
Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude and reminding herself that she’s a practitioner helps her in school. After earning an undergraduate degree in economics and Asian studies, Shen is now pursuing a master’s degree in diplomacy. When they discussed ethics in class, her classmates remarked on her high moral standards. “I told them about Falun Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and they easily accepted it,” she said.
Shen is very happy to be a Dafa practitioner: “I’m thankful to Falun Dafa and Master Li.”
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