(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a World Falun Dafa Day celebration on Santa Monica Beach on May 12, 2024. May 13, 2024 is the 32nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction, the 25th annual World Falun Dafa Day, and the birthday of Master Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa’s founder.
Falun Dafa practitioners wished Master Li a happy birthday during a celebration on Santa Monica Beach on May 12, 2024.
Practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises.
People Commend the Values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
May 12 was Mother’s Day, and there was a constant stream of tourists at the beach. Practitioners introduced Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) to visitors, told them how to learn and practice Falun Dafa, and presented little origami lotus flowers with the words “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” as gifts. Everyone was happy to receive the beautiful handmade flowers.
People learn about Falun Dafa at Santa Monica Beach.
Many tourists stopped to watch as practitioners did the exercises. Elton, a British tourist, quietly watched and then remarked, “They are really peaceful, giving people a calm feeling. I like [Falun Dafa’s principles of] Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”
A woman who recently arrived in the United States from Northeastern China said, “I was just passing by here and saw you holding an event with song and dance performances. Because Falun Gong is not allowed to be practiced in China, I want to know more about what’s happening here.” A practitioner gave her some informational materials and introduced the spiritual practice to her. The practitioner also explained why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes Falun Gong. The woman was very willing to accept the information.
Practitioners gave performances to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
Several practitioners shared their experiences and expressed their gratitude to Master.
Practicing Dafa Opens Wisdom and Makes Life Smooth
Wang Qinghua said, “Thank you, Master for introducing Dafa!”
Mr. Wang Qinghua said, “After I’d been practicing Falun Dafa for two or three months, one day I suddenly found that I was not tired at all after staying up late. This also made me start to look at myself again, and I wanted to change my mind to truly understand Dafa.”
So he began to read Zhuan Falun seriously. Mr. Wang recalled, “I really felt enlightened. I slowly understood its inner meaning. The secrets revealed in the book fundamentally changed me.”
He also found that after practicing Falun Gong, his body and his mood were very relaxed. He no longer felt nervous when faced with stressful studies. In terms of academics, he was suddenly able to solve questions that he didn’t understand before. He could finish them smoothly.
Mr. Wang currently serves as the CEO of a company. He said, “At work, I feel that Dafa has made me wiser and wiser. I can find ways to solve problems that are not related to my major.
“I used to be a very impatient person and sometimes had a bad temper,” he said. “After practicing Dafa, I feel that I’ve changed a lot. Dafa teaches us to be good people, follow the right path, look inward when we encounter conflicts, and be kind to others.”
He gave an example. Before he started practicing, he had an impatient personality and was irritable even when driving, so he would get several tickets a year. “After practicing, my irritable personality changed, and now I haven't gotten a ticket for several years.”
Looking back on the more than 20 years since he started practicing Dafa, Mr. Wang said that he avoided many detours in life and successfully passed through the three important life stages: academic studies, setting up a family, and starting a career.
“Without Dafa, I don’t know what my life would be like,” he said. “So I would like to use the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day to express my infinite gratitude to Master, and thank Master for introducing Dafa to mankind.”
Eliminating Depression and Illnesses
Ms. Li hopes more people learn about Dafa.
In 2003, Ms. Li was in her twenties when she came to the United States for graduate studies. At that time, Falun Dafa had begun spreading around the world. When she was a child, she was diagnosed with vertigo. The doctor said that the disease could only be relieved by medication, but there was no cure. This sudden blow made her so disheartened that she even considered suicide.
Persuaded by her family, she started practicing Falun Dafa. She said, “The first day I did the exercises my dizziness disappeared. After that, my health got better and better. It’s amazing!”
She began to read Falun Dafa’s main book, Zhuan Falun, “The word ‘cultivation’ suddenly enlightened me, as if a door was opened. I finally understood that cultivation and returning to one’s true nature are the true purpose of life.”
After practicing for 21 years, Ms. Li said that she’s become peaceful, tolerant, and optimistic. “I feel happy every day. I feel that I’m really lucky to practice Dafa in this life and to be Master Li’s disciple.”
Ms. Chen says, “Thank you, Master. I am grateful for your compassionate salvation. I wish Master a happy birthday!”
Ms. Chen, who also practices Falun Dafa, once met a practitioner in 2013 who told her about Dafa and advised her to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. The practitioner also gave her a copy of Zhuan Falun.
Ms. Chen followed Dafa’s teachings to improve her character. She said, “I feel peace and joy from within, and I can tolerate others.”
When she came to the unfamiliar environment of the United States in 2015, she did not get lost in the mundane world. Instead, she now understands her goal in life.
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