(Minghui.org) “What is Falun Dafa? Why is it being persecuted?” These were some of the questions tourists and local residents asked practitioners at the information table in front of the Nobel Museum in Stockholm during the recent Midsummer Festival. When practitioners explained that Falun Dafa is a meditation system based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and that the persecution has gone on for 27 years, many people were surprised and signed petitions calling for to end it.
Practitioners introduced Falun Dafa at the Midsummer Festival in Stockholm from June 19 to 21.
A popular tradition in Sweden, the Midsummer Festival is held during the summer solstice to celebrate the longest days of the year. Occurring this year between June 19 and 26, it also marks the unofficial start of summer vacation for many Swedes. Originally an agrarian tradition celebrating nature and fertility, midsummer festivals are now often centered around food, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
People signed the petitions to end the persecution.
Impressed by the peaceful scene and fluid exercises, many people stopped at the information table and talked with practitioners. Some took flyers to read, and others took pictures. They were impressed to learn that Falun Dafa, which was first made public in 1992, is now practiced by over 100 million people. Despite the documented physical and mental benefits of the practice, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started to suppress it in July 1999. The persecution continues to this day. Untold numbers of practitioners have been arrested, detained, tortured, and sent to prisons. Some have become victims of forced organ harvesting.
Tourists and locals asked practitioners for more information.
Upholding Principles
A couple from Saarlan, Germany, was vacationing in Sweden. The wife said she was very interested in Asian culture, including Buddhist teachings. She sometimes went to an acupuncturist to have her body adjusted. “I believe the human body is connected to nature and the universe,” she said. “I’ve always searched for a way to cultivate my mind and do good.”
When she heard that Falun Dafa practitioners were detained and tortured in China for their faith, she said, “The [CCP] regime is truly evil. Something so tragic must be stopped!” She felt that many historical prophecies were now coming true, and she was grateful to hear about Falun Dafa: “Receiving such important information today gives me hope for the future.”
Her husband said Chinese people should also be clear about right and wrong and do something about it. He feels that, as more people uphold justice and listen to their conscience, the situation will change and the CCP’s persecution will stop.
Another German couple who signed the petitions thanked practitioners for their efforts. They believed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are important to every family. Calling her children over, she said to them, “These people [practitioners] are good people who believe in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. The CCP has persecuted them badly, and even harvests their organs and forces them to give up their belief.”
Sharing the Information
An English teacher from Turkey was delighted to receive a flyer in Turkish. She said she was interested in Falun Dafa’s teachings and commented on the importance of moral character: “It is hard to find such teachings in today’s society, so it’s very difficult to raise and educate children.”
After hearing about the persecution in China, she signed a petition and wished practitioners well. She then returned to her tour group and told the others why practitioners were there. A handful of tourists came over to the information table and signed petitions urging an end to the atrocities.
“Falun Dafa Is China’s Hope”
When four Taiwanese tourists saw practitioners on June 21, they gave them a thumbs up. One said, “Falun Dafa is China’s hope—we will always support you. The CCP has done countless evil deeds, and we are hoping for its collapse. The whole world is watching. Please continue your efforts!”
Several tourists from China also accepted materials. Two young tourists talked with practitioners and asked several questions. After hearing how the CCP harmed people in its previous political campaigns and now targets Falun Dafa practitioners, they agreed to renounce their memberships in the CCP organizations they’d joined—the Youth League and the Young Pioneers.
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