New York, USA: Opening Speech at the New York City World Falun Dafa Celebration

(Clearwisdom.net)

Ladies and Gentleman, Guests and Friends: Good afternoon!

Today is May 13th – a seemingly normal day. However, we are gathering together all over the world because today is the fifth World Falun Dafa Day. It is also the twelfth anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa.

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) is an ancient practice that includes exercises, meditation and is based on the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance". Today, twelve years ago, Falun Dafa was first made public in Northeastern China by Mr. Li Hongzhi. In only seven years, the practice spread rapidly to nearly one hundred million people in China. Countless people experienced dramatic health improvement, mental clarity and overall happiness.

During the past 12 years, Falun Dafa has spread largely by word of mouth to more than sixty countries and regions around the world. People of different ethnic groups, cultures and social status have improved themselves through the profound teachings of Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa has been welcomed and appreciated by people throughout the world.

From China's Great Wall to the bank of Europe's river Rhein; from the Golden Shore to the Statue of Liberty; from Beijing to Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan; from Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to Palais des Nations in Geneva, the beautiful, melodious music of Falun Dafa can be heard and harmonious practice sites can be seen.

In the past five years, millions of Falun Dafa practitioners in China have suffered brutal persecution because of their beliefs in "Truth-Compassion-Tolerance." However, as the saying goes in Chinese: "the pine tree majestically survives wind and snow" and "Plum blossoms bloom in the harsh winter." We commend the Falun Dafa practitioners in China who continue to use peaceful means to uphold their freedom of belief under such harsh conditions.

"World Falun Dafa Day" is not just a Falun Dafa practitioner's celebration. May 13th is becoming more and more of a public celebration of kind-hearted people from all over the world. "World Falun Dafa Day" represents people's need for compassion and righteousness, and it indicates the unstoppable stream of Falun Dafa's spread around the world.

Today we would like to send a message of "Truth-Compassion-Tolerance" to every corner of the world. And we simply would like to let you know that "Falun Dafa is Wonderful!"

We warm-heartedly invite you to celebrate "World Falun Dafa Day" with us.