(Clearwisdom.net) This past weekend, June 4-5, 2010, the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company captivated audiences in Honolulu. Many were amazed by the colors and beauty that the dancers displayed, while others felt the spirituality that is so strongly exhibited in the performances. Several audience members commented on the scenes of persecution that are portrayed, especially in the dance Nothing Can Block the Divine Path, where a mother and daughter practicing the spiritual discipline of Falun Gong are arrested, taken to a detention center and tortured by police. This piece raises awareness of the current suffering of the people of China under the communist regime.

The audience enjoys the third show at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Charity Willhoit, of Chinese heritage, commented, "I thought it was very good, maybe eye-opening for people who haven't read about religious persecution in China. So I thought that was very good, I liked it." She and her husband Travis are both learning to speak Mandarin at the Defense Language Institute, and are also using the study aid on the New Tang Dynasty Television website.

She enjoyed being connected to the ancient culture of her ancestors, and was interested to learn more about the current situation in China, where practitioners of the peaceful spiritual discipline of Falun Gong are being persecuted under the communist regime. She was concerned that some of her curriculum was based on propaganda and had requested that her teachers provide the other side of the story so that students can decide for themselves what the truth of the matter is.

Professor Allan Millett, his wife Martha, and daughter Eve.

Professor Allan Millett, his wife Martha, and daughter Eve also attended. Professor Millett is a distinguished author as well as professor who teaches Chinese military history. Both Mr. and Mrs. Millet have an interest in China's history. It's one of the reasons they came to see Shen Yun. Professor Millet found the show, "Quite entertaining, very educational."

Mrs. Millett added, "We're impressed with the degree of contemporary dissent that they're discussing, and repression in China, that that's included as well."

Another couple that attended was Nancy McCarter, a defense contractor with the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) and her husband, John Loftin. Ms. McCarter appreciated the spiritual message of the show, explaining, "Well I was a little bit surprised but I enjoyed the honesty ... It was telling a story, a version of a story and so I also found that to be beautiful because it was artistic."

Mr. Loftin said, "I think there's a lot of people, myself included, that aren't aware. You know we probably [take] the freedoms that we have for granted and therefore it's hard to actually realize that people aren't allowed to practice religion or are persecuted for the words that they say. It's very, very hard to comprehend that."

Ms. McCarter agreed, exclaiming, "And to take a parent away from a child! My daughter is two!"

Ms. Choi Lin, who is affiliated with the Associated Chinese University for Women, also commented on the persecution depicted in the show, "I thought it was a very moving performance and it was very eye-opening about Falun Gong and the government and how they treat people. It is pretty shocking that people accept that."

She felt a spiritual message, concluding, "That is also different because when you go to a show you usually see one type of dance, but this incorporated religion, music, singing, different costumes, and history, so I appreciated that experience."

Sources:

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/36957/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/36954/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/36955/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/36861/

 

Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts