(Clearwisdom.net) At 2:00 pm on May 8, 2010, nearly 1,000 Falun Gong practitioners from Taozhumiao gathered in Zhongzheng Park in Zhongli City, Taiwan, celebrating the 11^th World Falun Dafa Day. The festivities began with inspiring drum play, followed by poetry-recitals, singing, as well as expressions of gratitude to Master from representatives of different age groups.

Group Falun Gong exercise demonstration

Group Falun Gong exercise demonstration

Passers-by looking at display boards

People reading truth-clarification materials

Guests at the celebration included many dignitaries: Huang Renzhu, member of the Legislative Council, county councillor Xu Jingwen, county councillor assistant Chen Meimei, Pingzhen City citizens' representative Ye-Jiang Shuangfeng, Long En neighbourhood committee director Hu-Li Yanming; Zhongli Police Station head Zeng Zhengqin. Speaker of the Legislative Council Qiu Yisheng presented a basket of flowers to express his good wishes. Following the gathering, Falun Gong practitioners went to several main streets in groups, or to the square, demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises, holding up display boards and distributing flyers.

Practitioner performing a song praising Dafa

Celebration of gratitude and experience sharing

Ms. Ou, coordinator of the Taozhumiao practice site, is the main organizer of the event and commented, "This year marks the 18^th anniversary of the introduction of Falun Gong and the 11^th World Falun Dafa Day. Since Falun Gong has brought people great physical and mental benefits, practitioners from various places in Taozhumiao participated in the event to express their gratitude and to share their experiences, hoping that more people will witness the beauty of Falun Gong." Ms. Ou added that there were nearly 90 practice sites in the Taoyuan District and welcomed people to come to learn more about Falun Gong.

Advisor to the Legislative Council Qiu Chuizhen: I am no long pestered by illnesses and depression

Mr. Qiu Chuizhen, a Falun Gong practitioner, is the highest-ranking advisor to the Legislative Council. He began the practice four years ago upon a recommendation from his relatives. He said that during the 15 years as a member of the Legislative Council, he never weighed more than 60 kg, even though he is 1.72 meters tall, and he suffered numerous ailments with his internal organs. After beginning the practice, his heart condition and a stubborn duodenal ulcer improved dramatically, and his weight also increased to 80 kg. He said that when his friends saw him, they could hardly believe their eyes. Nowadays he recommends Falun Gong to his friends and relatives because of his personal experience.

Mr. Qiu Chuizhen, highest-ranking advisor to the Legislative Council

He added that aside from gaining good health, the depression that he suffered from for decades disappeared without any medication. He attributes this to the fact that the spirit of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance encourages positive and healthy ways of thinking, so that one feels peaceful inside and does not get too upset about things. He is aware that the relationships between people in today's society are often antagonistic and rather tense; if people can treat each other with sincerity, kindness and tolerance, the world would become an even better place.

He finds the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to be oblivious to reason in their persecution of Falun Gong. He recalled that two years ago when he visited Shanghai, police questioned him at the airport for stretching himself with a yawn, because his movement resembled the second set of Falun Gong exercises.

Having physically and mentally benefited from the practice, Mr. Qiu proactively introduces Falun Gong to his friends. His son has become a practitioner. He hopes that one day practitioners in China can regain a free and peaceful cultivation environment, and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can spread all over China and into every corner of the world.

Member of the Legislative Council Huang Renzhu condemns the CCP's organ harvesting

Current member of the Legislative Council Mr. Huang Renzhu stated in his speech that he felt very honored to participate in the event. He added that he admired the Falun Gong practitioners for raising their morality and their kind deeds. He also condemned the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP and their atrocities in harvesting Falun Gong practitioners' organs.

Mr. Huang Renzhu, member of the Legislative Council

He also criticized the practice of allowing human rights abusers to come to Taiwan.

Councillor and citizens' representative: I expect Falun Gong will continue to develop and move forward

Mrs. Ye-Jiang Shuangfeng, Citizens' Representative in Pingzhen City

Mr. Xu Jingwen, County Councillor

Mrs. Ye-Jiang Shuangfeng, citizens' representative in Pingzhen City, wished Mr. Li Hongzhi a happy birthday in her speech and said that she would learn more from Falun Gong practitioners so that she be more compassionate in her conduct. County councillor Mr. Xu Jingwen said that Falun Gong had widely spread in Taiwan, and that he could see people practicing Falun Gong in parks each morning. He hoped that such a beneficial practice would further develop and carry forward.

Wishing to say to Master: Please accept our most sincere gratitude

Falun Gong practitioners from as young as kindergarten children to 99 years old have experienced great benefits from the practice. They are grateful to Falun Dafa and Master Li Hongzhi. At the gathering, six practitioners representing different age groups shared their experiences and took the opportunity to express their deep gratitude.

*Enjoying good health in old age; having no trouble learning computing skills

Mr. Peng is 72 years old and began the practice in February 1999. Not long after, the CCP started the persecution in China. He and his wife ordered 30,000 copies of a special edition about Falun Gong and the persecution, and rode around in busy city areas, villages and remote mountainous regions to distribute the material. Now he has learned computing skills, and often clarifies the facts to people on the Internet.

Mr. Peng (left) and Mr. Zheng (right) expressed their deep gratitude to Master Li Hongzhi

Mr. Zheng was 79 when he started to practice Falun Gong in 1998, and he used to have all kinds of health problems. He said, "Cultivation is really good. I haven't been sick or needed to take medicine for over ten years, and have truly experienced what it is like living without any illness. I'm truly grateful for Master's kind salvation."

*No longer holding on to low self esteem; understanding the principle of looking within

Mrs. Lu from Taoyuan used to feel inferior; she was in poor health and often argued with others. After practicing Falun Gong, she learned to look within herself; her temperament turned kinder and softer, and her friends and relatives saw the huge changes in her.

Ms Huang shared, "Dafa has changed my heart and mind. I no longer complain about others; instead, I've become more understanding and tolerant, because Master has taught me to always think of others in everything I do." She also takes good care of her father-in-law, who had suffered a stroke, and she has gained great respect from her family members. She said with a lump in her throat, "To be able to cultivate in Dafa, I feel extremely happy and extremely fortunate!"

*No longer confused; no complaints in the face of hardship

High school student Li is 17 years old. He said that Master Li's book Zhuan Falun answered all of his questions and resolved his confusion. He said that cultivation offered him an opportunity to ascend beyond the human level. He wanted to express his sincere gratitude to Master: "Thank you Master! We shall cultivate steadily on our paths till the very end."

Student Li (left) and Huang Xiaodi (right)

Sixth grader Huang Xiaodi used to be addicted to computer games. He understood that in Dafa cultivation, the standard for a cultivator does not drop simply because someone is young in age, and children must not depend on adults and cover up their attachments. So after he joined the Divine Land Marching Band, he never complained about being tired when he followed the band. He overcame his fear of going to play in Hong Kong and was able to endure much hardship for his young age. He has travelled everywhere in Taiwan and Hong Kong with the band.

In ancient times, people believed in the concept, "the favour of a drop of water should be returned with a fountain of water." All of the Falun Gong practitioners at the gathering wished Master Li a happy birthday. Then the chorus presented two songs, "Thank you, Master," and "Falun Dafa is good." They expressed their highest respect to Master Li Hongzhi. The gathering ended with group practice.

Displaying Falun Gong materials; speaking with people about the practice and the persecution

Apart from celebrating the special day of May 13^th, Falun Gong practitioners divided into many small groups, demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, held up display boards and banners, and distributed flyers among the pedestrians to help more people to learn about Falun Gong.

A passer-by in his 50s, after accepting a copy of the materials, commented that he saw reports about Falun Gong on TV and often saw practitioners at tourist spots. "Falun Gong is very good, not like what is said in the CCP propaganda." He finds it difficult to understand why the CCP persecutes such a good practice.

Practitioners holding up banners and demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises

Practitioners holding up banners and demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises

Telling people about Falun Gong

A shop owner gasped while reading the flyer, "They don't even spare babies in the persecution. It is so ridiculous. "She asked practitioners if the persecution was still going on and was really shocked by the facts practitioners told her. She said that she supports the Falun Gong practitioners and their peaceful appeal activities.

*Background

Falun Gong was taught for the first time on May 13, 1992, and that day was also the commemoration of Master Li Hongzhi's birthday. As of 2004, this day was defined as World Falun Dafa Day. The main book of Falun Gong, Zhuan Falun, has been translated into more than 30 languages. Currently, Falun Gong is practiced in 114 countries.