(Minghui.org) It has been twenty years since Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first taught by its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, in May 1992. By following the principles of the practice—Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance—practitioners have experienced greatly improved physical fitness and moral levels. Falun Dafa has been embraced in over 100 countries and areas, including Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Over 100 million people of different nationalities and races around the world have benefited from the practice, both mentally and physically.
On April 29, 2012, 7,400 practitioners formed the image of Mr. Li Hongzhi at Freedom Square in Taipei, a grand spectacle
On November 21, 2009, 6,000 practitioners lined up and formed the shape of the book Zhuan Falun, Falun Gong’s main text
Falun Gong stresses that by valuing virtues and kindness, one can become healthy. The practice is always taught free of charge and has no fixed rituals. By word of mouth, the practice has spread around the world.
On July 20, 1999, former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and his regime launched the persecution of Falun Gong. With truth in their hearts, practitioners persisted in their belief despite torture and lies. They peacefully protested and brought the practice overseas. Many people outside of China learned the beauty of Falun Dafa and helped to inform others of the facts about the practice and the illegal persecution. Those who are predestined to obtain the Fa tell one another, and those who are keen on learning the practice continue to come.
Students and Teachers at More Than 80 Schools in India Are Practicing Falun Gong
Falun Gong practitioners teach the exercises in a school in India
India is where Sakyamuni taught his Buddha Fa, and it has been called the Country of Buddhism. Bangalore has the most Falun Gong practitioners in India. Falun Dafa is taught in over 80 schools there. Some of the schools have more than 3,000 students. The students do the Falun Dafa exercises in their physical education classes. The health of many of the teachers and students has gradually improved.
“Lunyu,” the preface to Zhuan Falun, in the English textbook in Byreshawara School
Mr. Sri Ram Reddy, principal of Byreshawara, said that the school uses the English version of Lunyu from Zhuan Falun as part of their English teaching materials. There are over 2,000 students in the school. Many teachers practice and promote Falun Gong diligently.
Cultivators' Footsteps Go Around the World, Falun Gong Blesses Africa
From Greenland near the North Pole to New Zealand's South Island near the Antarctic, from the cold of northern Europe to the heat of South Asia, as far as North America, South America, and Australia, whatever language or race, people can find Falun Gong. Even in remote places in Africa, one can still see Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises.
Over 200 Ethiopian Falun Gong practitioners do the exercises together
Ethiopia is located on the Horn of Africa. The earliest records of Ethiopia appear in ancient Egypt. Ethiopia is the only African country that has its own calendar, its own language, and its own writing. Falun Dafa has been introduced to this African country.
The cover of Falun Gong in the Amharic language
In March 2006, the Falun Dafa Association of Ethiopia was officially established after being approved by the Ethiopian government. Practitioners have translated Master Li Hongzhi's book Falun Gong into the Amharic language, the official language of Ethiopia. More and more people there have started learning and practicing Falun Gong.
Sharing Traditional Chinese Culture
In recent years, practitioners have been invited to many community activities and holiday celebrations because Falun Dafa represents traditional Chinese culture. Falun Gong practitioners' exercise demonstrations, large-scale marching band (Divine Land Marching Band), dazzling floats, waist drum teams, dances by celestial maidens, dragon and lion dances, dancing and singing performances, photo exhibitions, calligraphy exhibitions, movies, and TV programs spread the message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to people around the world.
On November 17, 2007, the Divine Land Marching Band participates in the Christmas Parade in Montreal, Canada. The band was the largest entry that day. Approximately 300,000 spectators witnessed the band’s performance.
During Christmas 2008, the Divine Land Marching Band was invited to participate in Christmas parades held in various places in New Zealand, bringing the blessings of Falun Dafa's Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to people in those areas.
Falun Gong parade entries are usually very impressive. Wherever Falun Gong contingents go, they are often accompanied by cheers, praise, and applause from the spectators. Practitioners have won numerous awards in many events. Christmas is the best time to see practitioners in parades.
Benefiting Mentally and Physically, Practitioners Thank Teacher for His Compassion and Grace
May 13, the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, is celebrated as World Falun Dafa Day. Every year practitioners and friends of Falun Gong from around the world hold activities to celebrate this day. Practitioners in China send their greetings and cards to the Minghui website to express their reverence for Mr. Li Hongzhi and gratitude for his compassionate salvation.
Falun Gong practitioners in San Francisco wish their Revered Master a Happy Chinese New Year
An 88-year-old retired medical officer in Taiwan previously had heart disease, an enlarged prostate, incontinence, and insomnia. He felt that his life was a waste and wanted to commit suicide several times. Three months after he started practicing Falun Gong, he no longer needed his heart medicines or his walking stick. Five months later, his prostate was no longer enlarged. He gradually quit taking sleeping pills. He is now 98 years old and is perfectly healthy. “The days of practicing Falun Dafa have been the best and luckiest days of my life.”
Korean practitioner Mr. Yeonho Cho retired after twenty years working as a judge in South Korea, and moved to Los Angeles, where he practiced as an attorney for two years. He is currently working at an international law firm and is president of a mining company in Tanzania. Once he started practicing Falun Gong, Mr. Cho felt he had been transformed. In addition to better health, he felt as though his values and thoughts improved instantly. He now knows the truth and knows that man should return to his original, true self. He studies the Fa, practices the exercises, and clarifies the facts about Falun Gong. He feels he is leading a full and meaningful life.
The Light of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Shines on Every Corner of the World
The following are pictures of Falun Gong practitioners around the world doing the exercises together. It is difficult to show the entire picture of Falun Dafa's wide acceptance, but they can help show the glory of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance that shines around the world. We sincerely hope the persecution will end soon and the Chinese people will be free to do the exercises in their own country.
In 1996, before the persecution, practitioners in Wuhan City form the shape of a Falun and do the exercises together.
Practitioners in Shenyang City do the exercises together in May 1998, before the persecution.
On November 15, 2003, close to 10,000 practitioners in Taiwan do the exercises in front of the Presidential Palace. They demand that Jiang Zemin be put on trial and the persecution stopped.
On April 29, 2012, 7,400 practitioners do the exercises at Freedom Square in Taipei
A Falun Dafa experience sharing conference held on April 9, 2006, in Bali, Indonesia. Practitioners send righteous thoughts together during the conference.
The former vice premier of Papua, New Guinea, an island county in the Pacific Ocean, and his family members learn the Falun Gong exercises.
Practitioners in Washing D.C.
Practitioners in Argentina do the exercises and send righteous thoughts in La Plata City.
The first Falun Dafa workshop in Nordgarden, Sweden, was in April 1995. The picture shows practitioners doing the exercises together during the second workshop in Nordgarden.
Teaching the exercises at the first workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1997.
In March 2003, practitioners from around the world gather in front of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and do the exercises together.
Practitioners in Italy do the exercises by Gran Paradiso.
The Falun Gong entry in the Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland.
In the National Health Exposition in Spain, many come to learn Falun Gong.
Practitioners in the Netherlands do the exercises in the Hague.
Practitioners teach the exercises in Dares Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.
