(Minghui.org) The annual Diwali festival was held in Papatoetoe in south Auckland on October 18, 2025. Diwali is a major festival in India and celebrates “light driving out darkness and goodness triumphing over evil.”
Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the celebration. Their dragon dance and waist drum team performances, along with their demonstration of the exercises on stage, allowed people to experience the unique charm of Chinese culture and provided an opportunity for people to learn about Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
The celebration was funded by the local government and hosted by several community groups. The practitioners’ performances were applauded, and they received certificates of appreciation.
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises on stage during the Diwali festival in Auckland on October 18, 2025.
The dragon dance team performs on stage.
The waist drum team performs.
The event organizers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Falun Dafa practitioners.
People Learn About Falun Dafa
Bank clerk Shereen Mohammad visited the Falun Dafa booth and said she was impressed by the practitioners’ peacefulness and kindness.
When a practitioner told her that Falun Dafa’s principles are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Shereen responded without hesitation, “Of course I support it! Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are also very important for children. They are cherished values in our culture, and Falun Gong teaches us a better way to practice these virtues.”
Shereen Mohammad.
Shereen said that she found the website about Falun Dafa and wished to learn more about the practice. She felt practicing Falun Dafa was beneficial, “Every practitioner I met is friendly and warm—I feel they are sincere and calm.”
Referring to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution, Shereen said, “I heard that people are persecuted and even subjected to forced organ harvesting because they meditate and believe in gods. This is terrible. We need peace in the world and respect for humanity—we should respect everyone’s belief, culture and family.”
She also pointed out that the Falun Dafa origami lotus flower is similar to flowers in Indian culture that symbolize purity and holiness. “The lotus is the seat of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth,” she said. “In our culture, the lotus symbolizes purity and kindness. The lotus in Falun Dafa represents a pure heart and the power of kindness. It’s a beautiful resonance.”
Shereen smiled and said, “I believe Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance represents kindness, while the CCP represents evil. It’s a contrast between light and darkness. I hope more people can understand the truth, and the world is filled with peace and kindness.”
The Dragon Dance and Waist Drums Represent Chinese Culture
Karan
Many people praised the practitioners’ dragon dance and waist drum performance and took photos and videos. They said the performances added to the festive atmosphere and were full of color and energy.
Karan from India said he loved the waist drum performance: “It was amazing! The colors, the costumes, and every movement were so harmonious. I’ve seen their performances at many events, and they always leave a deep impression on me.”
He highly praised Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, “These values are wonderful. They resonate deeply with the spiritual principles of our Indian culture.”
Mediation Makes One Calm
John with a flyer and origami lotus flower at the booth
John, a retired bus driver in New Zealand, praised Falun Dafa and said he meditates. He said, “I feel well and calm when I meditate.”
He was shocked to hear about the CCP’s persecution and forced organ harvesting, “That is terrible! That should not happen. Organ donation is voluntary. Killing for organs is not allowed. Those who do that must be brought to justice and punished.”
He said, “People in China have no freedom and no human rights. We have freedom in New Zealand, but they don’t.” He said it is very important to let more people know the truth, “We must keep talking about it and let everyone know. Only then will things change.”
Dabinder wishes to learn Falun Dafa.
Dabinder from India said she wanted to practice Falun Dafa because it “relieves stress and brings peace of mind.”
She said, “Falun Dafa teaches us about Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. I believe if everyone follows these principles, society’s morality will improve, and incidents like robbery and crime will decrease.”
Former teacher Dabinder has lived in New Zealand for a year and a half. “The values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are especially important for children, and they should be taught from a young age,” she said.
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