(Minghui.org) The Taiwan Lantern Festival, named one of the “Fantastic Festivals of the World” by Discovery Channel, takes place in Yunlin between February 11 and 19. Over 20 million people were estimated to have attended this international event. Many of them were excited to see the giant float made by Falun Dafa practitioners.

Falun Dafa practitioners present a float at the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Yunlin on February 11, 2017.

“Compassion That We Should All Cherish”

Around 10,000 people went on the float on the first day of the event, explained Chang Chin-hwa, President of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association. In addition, practitioners played waist drums and sang in a chorus. Some of their children performed dances.

Bright colors from the float in the evening

Lee Ming-Hsien, a former legislative member, said, “It looks amazing. It's not not just the grand layout or the beautiful lights–everything is so wonderful.” Having heard about the brutal suppression of Falun Gong by the communist regime in mainland China, he said he admired practitioners for their courage and persistence.

“The peaceful nature and inner strength of these practitioners reflect our traditional values, something based on compassion that we should all cherish,” he added.

Lin Jian-hung, a Yun Lin County council member, agreed and said the practitioners' actions and their float highlight the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He hopes more people can follow these principles because they are “absolutely good” for society.

Rooted in the Community

Yunlin County council member Tsai Yue-ru expressed his thanks to practitioners for their efforts.

Another county council member. Tsai Yue-ru, said he liked the positive energy from the float. He said Falun Dafa practitioners have set a good example of safeguarding one's upright belief and not yielding to pressure.

Tsai also thanked practitioners for their efforts in operating Fei Tian Academy of the Arts (Taiwan Branch) in Yunlin County. “They will play a critical role improving the education of traditional culture and arts, and will connect well with the community,” Tsaid said.

Dr. Hou, a physician, said he had heard about the persecution in China, including the killing of detained practitioners for their organs. “This is not ethical and against basic humanity,” he said.