News and Activities from Around the World -- August 3, 2005

Issued by Clearwisdom Net

In order to welcome Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Ko Sung-nyo (Chinese pinyin: Gao Chengnu) who was recently released from a Chinese labor camp and to express gratitude toward Korean Parliament members who had supported and helped rescue Ms. Ko to Korea, the "Ko Sung-nyo Rescue Committee" sponsored a "welcoming party" for Ms. Ko on July 28, 2005 in the Korean Parliament's Honored Guests' Cafeteria.

"Ko Sung-nyo Rescue Committee" in front of the Korean Parliament

On that day, both Ms. Ko Sung-nyo and her husband, Mr. Kwack Byung-ho, were very happy. They talked about their life in Korea and expressed their gratitude towards all the people who had helped them.

Ms. Ko Sung-nyo and her husband Mr. Kwack Byung-ho

A representative of the 24 Parliament members who participated in the rescue of Ms. Ko Sung-nyo, MP Li Yuanrong said in his speech, "In more than 80 countries of the world, including Korea, Falun Gong's peaceful cultivation environment is protected. However, only China bans Falun Gong." "In order to force Ms. Ko Sung-nyo to give up her practice of Falun Gong, the Jiamusi Forced Labor Camp employed various kinds of methods to persecute her. During that period of time, Ms. Ko's health was in critical condition. However, she resolutely practiced her cultivation with unyielding courage. We highly recognize her lofty spirit and courage to obtain her freedom to practice through nonviolent means." MP Li continued, "Starting from one's resolute faith and firmly denying the authorities' unjustifiable interference with one's freedom of  practice once again shows the victory of the noble human nature."

MP Li Yuanrong, representative of the 24 MPs participating in the rescue of Ms. Ko Sung-nyo, addresses the party

Since Ms. Ko Sung-nyo was arrested and imprisoned in the Jiamusi Forced Labor Camp for her practice of Falun Gong in May, 2004, various kinds of activities to rescue Ms. Ko have unfolded in Korea and numerous people have participated in the rescue effort.

In Korea, more than 240,000 people signed a petition requesting the release of Ms. Ko Sung-nyo. Seventy-three assembly committees at municipal and provincial levels and some social groups passed resolutions to urge the Chinese authorities to set Ms. Ko free. In particular, 24 elected Korean Parliament Members formed the "MP Rescue Committee to Urge the Release of Korean Citizen's Wife". The MPs visited the Chinese Embassy in Korea to deliver a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao to demand the release of Ms. Ko Sung-nyo.

Welcoming Party to receive Ms. Ko Sung-nyo to Korea

With the progress of the nationwide rescue campaign, on May 13 this year, Ms. Ko Sung-nyo was finally released from the Jiamusi Forced Labor Camp. Although she was set free, she was unable to obtain a visa to Korea and the couple was unable to live together.

In order to help Ms. Ko Sung-nyo come to Korea as early as possible, the "Ko Sung-nyo Rescue Committee" discussed the situation with the Korean Consulate-general in Shenyang, China and the office in charge of entering or leaving Korean territory. After learning the truth, these institutes, which originally refused to issue the visa in advance, finally provided positive assistance. On July 8, two months after her release, Ms. Ko obtained her visa and arrived in Korea on July 20.

On July 21, 2005, organizations such as the Falun Dafa Association, Freedom House and Friends of Falun Gong jointly held a "July 20" rally against the persecution of Falun Gong in China on the west lawn in front of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Mr. Morton Sklar, Executive Director of the World Organization for Human Rights USA, attended and addressed the rally.

Mr. Morton Sklar, Executive Director of the World Organization for Human Rights USA

Mr. Sklar stated in his speech that the World Organization for Human Rights and Falun Gong practitioners have filed lawsuits in the U.S. and other countries against those Chinese communist officials who have severely violated Falun Gong practitioners' human rights over the past six years. The World Organization for Human Rights will continue its effort to stop the persecution of Falun Gong.

Mr. Sklar said that on that day, a Chinese communist official who participated in the persecution was sued in the U.S. His organization will utilize all measures to sue these people. They will file not only civil lawsuits but also criminal lawsuits, and also come here each year to express their support so as to allow people to realize the significance of this effort.

He said that all these civil and criminal lawsuits filed in American courts against those Chinese communist officials and practitioners' efforts against the persecution will eventually stop the persecution and the human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners that have been going on for six years. He stated that it is an honor for the World Organization for Human Rights to join the effort to stop the persecution.

On July 23, 2005, Moscow Falun Gong practitioners gathered on Arbat Street in the city center in order to appeal to more people for help to stop the cruel persecution of Falun Gong happening in China. The practitioners used various ways to explain the facts to people. For example, they unfurled banners with words on them such as "Falun Gong," "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," "The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance," "Stop Persecuting Falun Gong" and "More than 2700 Falun Gong Practitioners have died as a result of persecution in China." Nine exhibition boards were crammed with pictures and literary explanations, showing that Falun Gong has widely spread to more than seventy countries and 100 million people practice it, but only the Chinese Communist Party persecutes Falun Gong. The real stories, one by one, are surprising people. Some practitioners directly distributed the material at subway entrances as well as the walkways to tell the pedestrians the truth.

Clarifying the truth downtown

Clarifying the truth

A middle-aged couple passed by and happily received a leaflet. They also viewed the banners and the exhibition boards. Later, they took the leaflet in their hands, stood in front of the banners and the exhibition boards, passed a camera to a practitioner and asked the practitioner to take pictures of them. They used this way to express that they would like to stand with the Falun Gong practitioners and keep this precious moment forever.

Keep this precious moment forever

Four foreigners passed by. They viewed everything from beginning to end. The interpreter explained every exhibition board in detail and they also listened carefully. Before leaving, the practitioner gave them English leaflets and they received them joyfully.

A Chinese young person came and stood in front of the exhibition board. A child practitioner immediately gave him a leaflet, which he was pleased to receive. The practitioner talked with him and he said, "I did not know about the things described on these exhibition boards. What I previously heard and saw were all from Chinese newspapers and TV programs. But I also thought that it was not an easy problem because there are so many people practicing both in China and overseas. I'll take this material home and read it carefully."

Children sign the petition to oppose the persecution

A group of elementary school students came to find out more. After listening carefully to the practitioners, everyone signed their name in support of the anti-persecution campaign. After signing their names, the children were interested in the exhibition boards, reading the legends while viewing the photos. There were serious and sad expressions on their faces, as their kind little hearts were deeply shocked. On this day, people who understood the truth came to support the anti-persecution campaign in droves.

Children's hearts deeply touched

Sign to support anti-persecution campaign

Sign to support anti-persecution campaign

Sign to support anti-persecution campaign

On July 31 2005, the Vietnamese Community of St. Louis had a picnic in Tower Grove Park and invited local practitioners to demonstrate the Falun Gong exercises.

Practitioner Kim introduces Falun Gong to the audience

The host of the event placed the 30-minute Falun Gong exercise demonstration second on the day's agenda. Practitioner Kim used the Vietnamese language to introduce Falun Gong and the persecution in China. Next, the peaceful and elegant exercise demonstration attracted the attention of everyone.

Falun Gong exercise demonstration

Falun Gong exercise demonstration

Before the practitioners left, the president of the Vietnamese Community, Mr. Thuc said, "You come here to demonstrate Falun Gong. It is very good, very beautiful. I think Falun Gong is very good. It helps improve health, improve moral standards. Not-so-good people will become good, good people will be better." Later he emphasized again, "Falun Gong comes here to show us the exercises. It is very good. I believe Falun Gong not only improves people's health and moral levels, making everyone a good person, but also it will change society. It will make the community better, the country better, and so forth. The human society will be better."

When he was asked about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, he said, "I knew. I saw it on TV, other media, VCD and video tapes. Falun Gong will grow in America and other countries, and become more and more popular. The people from other countries will support Falun Gong. When it returns to China, the Chinese government must accept it."

People reading truth-clarifying materials

People reading truth-clarifying materials

Kim said that they began to promote Falun Dafa in the Vietnamese community two years ago. Because she was from the Vietnamese community, she attended the parties and told people the beauty of Falun Dafa. Last year, practitioners went to a health center to promote Falun Dafa and the people liked it very much.

This summer, some Vietnamese immigrants came to Kim and said they wanted to continue the exercises. She subsequently arranged group practices in the park every Monday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. There are about 15 to 20 people who regularly attend.

Later, a group of Vietnamese "senior citizens" heard about the exercises and asked for a demonstration. Soon, a new group practice site was established in the park. This group meets every Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. to noon. There are about 30 people in this group. The weekly group practice has been going on for about two months. Kim continued, "I have a job, so I will come whenever I have time. Another practitioner, Corrina, will come to teach the exercises every week."

Mr. Hau, a Vietnamese immigrant said, "I have practiced Falun Gong for about one month. Kim taught me Falun Gong. I downloaded Zhuan Falun from the Internet. Before learning the Falun Gong exercises, I practiced meditation for many years. At the beginning, I compared the two different systems and I couldn't fully accept Falun Gong. But after I practiced Falun Gong, I felt my health improve a lot."

He continued, "I know of the persecution of Falun Gong in China. The Communist Party doesn't like Falun Gong. But I thought there must be good things in Falun Gong as there are so many people who practice it. This was my reason to practice Falun Gong." In the end he said, "I have only practiced it for one month. My health has improved obviously so I will continue the exercises. Thank you for giving me the chance to express my opinion. Thank you."

Mr. Vinh is also a Vietnamese. He said, "I believe Falun Gong is very good. If we continue the practice, we will have very healthy bodies." As for the persecution in China, he said, "I heard about it. The persecution of Falun Gong is very irrational. Falun Gong helps people to have good health. I saw the persecution of Falun Gong on a VCD. I am very angry at the Chinese Communist Party's behavior."

Kim said that almost all the Vietnamese knew about the persecution of Falun Gong through different channels. They don't agree with the Chinese Communist Party's ridiculous suppression. They think it is totally irrational.

On July 2-3, 2005, the first "Falun Dafa Teachers' Study Camp" was held at the Yilan Public Welfare Center in Taiwan. Six Falun Gong practitioners shared their experiences in Falun Dafa practice. They obtained a warm reception from the participants. It was the first of ten similar events planned for this summer. The Yilan City Mayor, Lu Guohua, gave a speech during the opening ceremony. He thanked the volunteer teachers from out town for helping with the event.

Yilan City Mayor, Lu Guohua, giving a speech

One of the hosts: Mr. Hong, Principal of the Huideng High School

Three educators hosted the Study Camp: Mr. Hong, the principal of Huideng High School, Mr. Liu, a teacher at the National Ilan Commercial Vocational High School and Mr. Li, a teacher at the National Lotung Industrial Vocational High School. Many local Falun Dafa practitioners also helped demonstrate how to do the Falun Gong exercises. In recent years, many cities and counties have held these same activities during the summer and winter semester breaks to introduce Falun Gong to faculty members. As a result of these activities, many educators are able to include "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance" in their daily teaching activities. Educational bureaus, principals and teachers all widely welcome these events. The participants can also obtain credit for participating.

Prof. Chang Chin-hwa, Chairman of the Graduate Institute of Journalism, National Taiwan University, gave a speech entitled "Loss and Gain in Life." She looks younger than her actual age. The professor remarked, "Many people want to have happiness in life, but things often go contrary to their wishes. One can only have happiness by following the heavenly way. 'Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance' are the characteristics of the universe and are the righteous way to follow." She has practiced Falun Dafa for many years. Prof. Chang explained using vivid metaphors and stories that to have health and happiness, one must truly assimilate to Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance and go beyond loss and gain by raising one's level without using conflict and contradiction.

Mr. Shi Xuejing, from the Applied Mechanics Department at the National Taiwan University, gave a speech entitled, "Misconceptions on the Origin of Life." He elaborated on the existence of prehistoric cultures using many photos. Many people still had reservations and criticism, even when archaeologists discovered proof from prehistoric cultures. Every time bold scientists presented some evidence of highly developed prehistoric culture, other conservative scientists doubted them. They did not treat those relics from over tens of thousands of years, several hundreds of thousands of years, or even tens of millions of years ago objectively.

People are curious about and pursue ancient knowledge such as the Eight Trigrams, the Book of Changes, Hetu, and Luoshu, among others. Even today, we still cannot comprehend their wisdom, but those things existed thousands of years ago. Many scientists found that the Chinese theory of the Five Elements - metal, wood, water, fire, earth, and the theory of the Book of Changes comply with contemporary science. Some scientists compared the periodical table of chemical elements with the Five Elements, found the theory very reasonable and say it may even have exceeded contemporary science. It seems that the wisdom of the ancient people may have exceeded that of the contemporary people.

Mr. Shi mentioned that many types of qigong are spread in society and they have several thousand years of history. Many who practice qigong know that practicing qigong can improve one's health and heal illness. Some accomplished qigong practitioners have developed supernormal capabilities and can do many things that ordinary people cannot do.

Mr. Zhang Fuzhang, a petroleum chemical engineer from the Institute of Chemical Research at the National Taiwan University, gave a speech entitled, "Prophecy, Science, Morality, and Life." Mr. Zhang mentioned that prophecy, the wisdom from our ancestors, has accurately predicted many natural and man-made calamities, changes of dynasties or regimes, natural changes and vicissitudes of mankind, among others. Prophecy surpasses the boundaries of time and can recognize the true emergence of the universe. It is truly a science. Contemporary science can explain the phenomena of prophesy.

Mr. Zhang explained that prophecy reveals to us: Only people who have kind human nature and follow the characteristics of the universe will survive the next era in today's society with its downwards-sliding morality. It's time for us to listen to our inner selves. Why is there life? Why do humans live in this world? What are we waiting for during this long period of time? Maybe what we are waiting for is in front of us. Don't miss the opportunity for one single thought may bring us a blessed future.

There was a general discussion after two days of meetings. The sponsor has graciously accepted suggestions for future activities. All enthusiastically learned the exercises. Even children were learning, using good posture.

(To be continued)