(Clearwisdom.net)
In commemoration of the upcoming May 13 World Falun Dafa Day, this article continues with more brief impressions of the importance of this day from Western practitioners.
Part 1: http://clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2010/5/11/116820.html
A private school teacher in upstate New York tells us that put simply, "World Falun Dafa Day is the anniversary of the day that our most benevolent Master brought the Great Law of the universe to the public.
"Yet these words seem so ordinary in comparison to what they are trying to describe. How can we describe this spectacular event that all of humanity has been awaiting over the eons? The magnitude and significance of this event cannot be expressed in words. And how can we adequately celebrate such an event in this human world? It seems almost impossible to give this event the glory it deserves.
"Even I myself cannot seem to encompass the full significance of this day, although tears fill my eyes as I write these words."
A young father and computer programmer in New York City explains that, "As with most aspects of Falun Dafa, "World Falun Dafa Day" means many things to me.
"It's a celebration of Falun Dafa's spread to more than 90 countries. It's a way to show people of the world who Falun Dafa practitioners really are - kindhearted, talented people who appreciate traditional culture and values. It's a celebration of Master Li's birthday, as well as a celebration of the day that Falun Dafa was first taught in China in 1992. And of course, it's a fun time for practitioners to get together and enjoy this limited time we have together."
A real estate professional in Toronto tells us a bit more of his personal experience, "Falun Dafa is a belief that I have chosen as my faith. It has helped me understand what 'spirituality' or a 'spiritual path' really means. It has also taught me what it truly means to be a responsible human being and what our true purpose is here on earth.
"Through Falun Dafa I have learned to truly respect myself and to truly respect others. I have healed lifetime relationships with family members that I never thought possible and I have found the peace of mind that I have searched for all my life. For the past ten years I sleep every night like a baby and if I knew I was to die tomorrow I would have absolutely no regrets.
"Because of this gift I have received I celebrate May 13th not just for myself but for the harmony and understanding it has brought into my world and to the people around me."
A young engineer whose talents are employed searching for new sources of oil in the vast Canadian west reflects that, "To me, World Falun Dafa day reminds people of remarkable impact Falun Dafa has had on society and the profound lessons it has left for humanity.
"For 11 years Falun Dafa practitioners have been treated in the most unfair and even brutal ways possible by the regime in China. For 11 years and around the globe the millions upon millions of Falun Gong practitioners have not shown any violence or even hatred in return. Their efforts resisting the persecution have instead been rational, peaceful, and also very effective. It is the greatest act of nonviolent resistance in history. It has left mankind with a profound example and has shown to the world that Truthfulness Compassion and Tolerance are not merely idealism.
"For me personally, Falun Dafa Day allows me to reflect on how fortunate I am to have be able to find and take up this practice. It has changed me from a person who was not good to one who is. From someone who had no real understanding of life and the universe to someone who can face life's most fundamental issues."
And for those of us reading this who are practitioners, a recent university graduate on the west coast sums it up this way, "World Falun Dafa Day is the celebration of Dafa's introduction to the human world. It is a day when all sentient beings join in a cosmic celebration of joyful movement together with Dafa disciples in the human world. I suggest that all practitioners take time to reflect in their hearts on the importance of this day so as not to miss this wonderful opportunity to affirm the greatness of Falun Dafa."
Editors' Note: With May 13 just around the corner, if you'd like to send us a few sentences or a paragraph or so giving your own answer to the questions posed by this article, please do so! You may send them, together with a few words introducing yourself to
o u t r e a c h (at) Clearwisdom (dot) net.