(Minghui.org) On the weekend of May 17-19, 2013, more than 8,000 practitioners from over 50 countries gathered in New York City to share the beauty of Falun Dafa and celebrate the 21 ^st anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public.

On May 17, practitioners held a rally in support of the 138 million Chinese people who have quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to date. The event took place in front the United Nations headquarters, bringing global awareness to the ongoing persecution of Dafa practitioners in China.

In the evening, a candlelight vigil was held in memory of thousands of Dafa practitioners murdered for their belief by the Chinese communist regime.

The following day, practitioners gathered in squares and parks around the city to do the five meditative exercises of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong). They then made their way to Manhattan's Chinatown to participate in a grand parade.

Rally in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York, calling for the end the persecution of Falun Dafa in China.

Practitioners hold a candlelight vigil to commemorate thousands of practitioners tortured to death in China.

Practitioners gather to do Falun Dafa exercises in Columbus Park in Chinatown.

Grand parade in Manhattan Chinatown celebrates the beauty of Falun Dafa.

Spectator at the Parade: “The whole world supports Falun Gong!”

Architect Kerry and her boyfriend Ray

“It's a marvelous experience seeing so many people gathering together like this, each sharing their inner joy,” said Kerry, an architect. She and her boyfriend, Ray, who works in the auto manufacturing industry, thoroughly enjoyed watching the parade.

Kerry had not known anything about Falun Dafa prior to the event, but was greatly moved by the sight before her. “These people have traveled here from different countries; they are from different backgrounds, and are of different ages. They gathered together here under one common belief. I am so surprised and shocked,“ she said in tears.

She continued: “In this material world, people compete and fight with each other for personal gain. People in the world have become increasingly miserable. But the people in this parade, whom I don't know much about, have not come here for themselves. From their flyer, I can tell that they contribute their time and money for their belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, which is important for everyone.”

Another spectator, Mr. Chen from China, has lived in New York for past 20 years. After watching the parade from start to finish, he praised Falun Gong.

“One needs to be good,” he reflected. “No one can escape death. One needs to have a conscience. Nowadays, many people do not have a conscience in China. There are lots of fake products in China. We don't dare buy products made in China. I hope everyone comes to believe in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The better people become, the more peaceful the world will become. So, the whole world supports Falun Gong!”

Looking at the photos of practitioners tortured in China, Mr. Chen said, “They are also Chinese people. They just want to practice meditation to improve their health. One needs to have freedom of belief. How come the CCP wants to persecute them?!”

In reference to the Chinese regime's infamous crime of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners, which has been recently publicized all over the world, Mr. Chen added: “Live organ harvesting is simply too horrible, an inhuman act! The Party's intention is to harm human beings, thus it should not exist on this Earth. I believe in Buddhism, and I promote kindness. I hope everyone respects each other and peacefully coexists. I object to the persecution of Falun Gong!”

Practitioner from Taiwan: “I discovered the true meaning of life”

Hu Nai-wen, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine

Hu Nai-wen is a well-known doctor of Chinese medicine from Taiwan. He became acquainted with Falun Dafa after immersing himself in the study of traditional Chinese medicine and qigong.

Expressing gratitude for having had the opportunity to become a Dafa practitioner, Dr. Hu shared that not only has his health improved, but he has also discovered the true meaning of life through the practice.

“The Chinese regime has been persecuting Falun Dafa for over 14 years now,” noted Dr. Hu. “The persecution actually harms all Chinese people because it damages people's morality. Falun Dafa practitioners are practicing [the principles of] Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and clarifying the facts [about the persecution].”

Dr. Hu added that practitioners are fostering the return of the universal values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance to the human world, thereby instilling hope in peoples' lives.

Practitioner from South Korea: “My family has greatly benefited from Dafa!”

Kwon Eune (left) and fellow practitioners from South Korea

Kwon Enue started practicing Falun Dafa in high school in 2000. She noted that practicing Falun Dafa improved her grades. “Before practicing, I ranked around 30 ^th out of 40 students in my class,” she said. “After I began practicing, I shot up to No. 2 or 3. Right after graduation, I found a good job in the largest food-processing company in South Korea.” Her next goal is live in Taiwan, so that she can learn Chinese and read the Dafa books in Chinese.

Enue said that her father was the first in her family to start practicing Falun Dafa, followed by her mother. Now all five family members, including her two elder sisters, are practitioners.

“My father used to drink wine and smoke cigarettes,” recalled Enue. “After practicing Dafa for a while, he got rid of these attachments.”

“My mother used to have poor health, but now she feels great,” she continued. “My sisters and I always used to get into conflicts with each other. Now, we consider things from the other's point of view and have harmonious relationships with each other. My family has greatly benefited from Dafa!”

Practitioners from the U.S.: “Falun Dafa will change your life for the better”

 Ty and her boyfriend Eric from Ohio, U.S.

Ty, an American practitioner from Cincinnati, Ohio, had tears in her eyes when asked why she had come to the New York event. “Falun Dafa is great! If you try it, it will change your life for the better,” she said.

Although she had grown up in a Christian family and regularly attended church, she had never fully embraced Christianity. One day, her boyfriend gave her a copy of Zhuan Falun and suggested that she read it.

Shortly into the book, she noticed that her depression disappeared and she started feeling a sense of joy in life. She then read the book over and over again; each time, she gained a new understanding and found answers to the questions puzzling her. She also let go of her haunting fear of death.

Father and Daughter from Iran: “I feel like the happiest person in the world!”

http://www.minghui.org/mh/article_images/2013-5-23-minghui-newyork-parade-05.jpg

Ghazala from Dubai, Iran

Fariborz Tavanaei and his daughter Ghazala traveled to New York from Iran to participate in the celebration. They said they were both proud to be a part of the event.

Ghazala is a student majoring in media and journalism. She started practicing Falun Dafa about two years ago, on the advice of her father. She said: “After practicing, I became more tolerant and understanding. Now, when I am faced with a conflict, I refrain from arguing back, like I used to. Instead, I use the opportunity to upgrade my character. I am kind to everyone. I have harmonious relationships with both my friends and family. I also feel better, both physically and mentally.”

Her father, Fariborz, is a civil engineer and manages a plastic pipe plant. “Before practicing Falun Dafa in 2007, I had always pondered the meaning of life,” he said. “I delved into various beliefs and disciplines, but they all left me feeling empty in the end. Although I lived a good life and had a great job and a happy family, I always felt like something was missing.”

“After learning Dafa, I feel like the happiest person in the world!” he continued. “Dafa has provided me answers to all of life's questions. The more I learn, the more I can upgrade myself and become a better person. Over the last seven years [of practice], my health has greatly improved.”

When he and Ghazala heard about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China, they became involved in the media. Their goal was to help more people learn about the goodness of Dafa and to help stop the persecution in China.

Vietnamese Practitioner: “I am more tolerant of people”

Andy (middle) and with other Vietnamese practitioners

Several Vietnamese practitioners attended the celebration in New York, including Andy from California. Falun Dafa had spread to Vietnam in 2000, he recalled, and one year later, Zhuan Falun had been translated into Vietnamese. Now, there are many practitioners in Vietnam, as well as all throughout the world.

Although he is in his 60s, Andy is often told that he looks much younger. He attributes his youthful appearance to practicing Falun Dafa. The biggest change he noticed after beginning the practice was that he became “more tolerant of people.”

“Now, when I am faced with conflicts, I look inward to upgrade myself, instead of finding fault with others,” he said.