(Clearwisdom.net) Kaohsiung is located in southwest Taiwan, with Zhongyang Mountain and Yushan Mountain to the east, the Taiwan Strait to the west and rich natural beauty and culture in between. The people of Kaohsiung are simple, sincere and kind. Recently, local intellectuals advocated the re-building of morality and culture, which established the foundation for the spreading of Falun Dafa in Kaohsiung. As nine-day classes and exercise sites were set up, Falun Gong practitioners could be seen in public places such as parks and schools doing the exercises, studying the Fa and exchanging their understandings. The practitioners in Kaohsiung cherish this cultivation environment. They discussed and shared with each other to promote the improvement of Dafa practitioners as a whole body. At the same time they spared no effort in clarifying the truth to various strata of society, in hopes of helping more people begin Fa study and stepping on the path of returning to one's original, true self.
Studying the Fa, group practice and creating a cultivation environment
In April 1995 the first Falun Gong exercise site in Taiwan was established in Yangmingshan in Taipei. In November 1995, a veteran practitioner came to Kaohsiung from Mainland China. Along with several local practitioners they founded the first local exercise site. People with the predestined relationship had the opportunity to learn Falun Gong. Right now, there are more than 80 Falun Gong exercise sites in Kaohsiung City.
 Experience sharing meeting |  Group Fa study at the Culture Center |  Morning exercises at Renai Park |
Doing the exercises, Fa study and cultivation of xinxing are the basis of cultivation practice. In order to promote the improvement of Dafa practitioners as a whole body, practitioners in Kaohsiung often held experience-sharing activities to study the Fa and clarify the truth. Each Sunday the practitioners did exercises, studied the Fa and sent forth righteous thoughts at the Kaohsiung Culture Center, and every two months they studied the Fa and shared experiences for a whole day in six cities and counties in the south district. They also have periodic meetings for volunteer assistants at practice sites. All of these made the practitioners realize that only by keeping righteous thoughts at all times and cooperating with each other will we be worthy of this great opportunity to be Fa rectification period Dafa disciples.
Spreading Dafa in the remote countryside; Falun Gong is everywhere
Initially, many Falun Gong practitioners enjoyed improved physical and mental health, moral improvement and better interpersonal relationships, so they voluntarily spread the Fa and disseminated the beauty of Dafa. During holiday celebrations the practitioners acquainted their fellow Taiwanese with Dafa. They have been doing it for more than ten years, and now many people in remote areas have learned Dafa.
 Elderly practitioners from Ziguan Township happily tell people about Dafa |  Exercise demonstration in Yongan Town |  Demonstrating exercises in Mituo Township |
In 2001, the Kaohsiung County Culture Bureau sponsored activities to celebrate the Shimuyu Holiday in Mituo, the Wuyu Holiday in Ziguan, the Banyu Holiday in Yonganshi and the Fanqie Holiday in Luzhu Township. Falun Gong practitioners from Kaohsiung participated in all of them. They demonstrated the exercises and used exhibition boards, videos and various other types of truth-clarification materials to reveal the beauty of Dafa and to expose the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong.
 Telling people about Dafa in the Liugui Countryside |  Calling for righteous support of Dafa and public trial of head perpetrator Jiang Zemin |  Groups of people in front of exhibition booth |
When a "Nostalgic Trip of the Tunnel" was held in Liugui Township, Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises with soft and harmonious music and displayed the beauty of Dafa onto every passerby. They also taught the exercises. Many government officials and people signed a petition to oppose the persecution after they attended the photo exhibit and they encouraged the practitioners to continue the effort.
Spreading Falun Dafa in schools; students and parents hear of the blessings
 Children love the lotus flowers Falun Gong practitioners made |  School principal and parents learn the exercises |
In the past few years, Falun Gong practitioners have entered every corner of society, including school campuses. At the 100th anniversary of Neimen National Elementary School, the 104th anniversary of Dasheguo Elementary School in Luzhu Township, the sports games at Dashu National Elementary School and the anniversary celebration at Zhongshan University, Falun Gong practitioners were invited to demonstrate the exercises and were widely welcomed. Young practitioners from a Minghui School and young students from vocational schools also participated in these activities. The young practitioners never slacked in spreading the Fa, regardless of their ages. Some distributed flyers or truth-clarification newspapers, and some distributed lotus flower bookmarks. They used all kinds of opportunities to clarify the truth.
Teaching the exercises and spreading the Fa at a prison
Falun Gong practitioners in Kaohsiung periodically go to the women's prison to introduce them to Dafa. They led the prisoners in reading Zhuan Falun so they can have the once in millions of years chance to learn about the Buddha Law. Zenon, a practitioner from Canada, also went to the prison to share his story of quitting drugs soon after he started to practice Falun Gong. The practitioners extended the compassion of Dafa, hoping that all people in the world to return on the right path.
Celebrating the World Falun Dafa Day, the first drum team founded in Taiwan
  "Heaven and earth rejoice in gratitude for Teacher's compassion" |  Reverently wishing Teacher a happy birthday |  Expressing respect to Teacher through music |
  Falun Gong practitioners perform a fan dance |   Little angels celebrate the holiday |   Large peach, symbolizing longevity |
In 2004, Falun Gong practitioners throughout Taiwan gathered in Kaohsiung City to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. They did the exercises, participated in a park parade, a dance, concert and Fa Rectification Photo Exhibit. These activities were rich and varied. The 3,000-people parade was the high point. The colorful and appealing parade team stretched several miles and delighted the audience. The practitioners waved at people and shouted, "Falun Dafa is good!" People applauded. One old woman watching said, "I only heard about Falun Gong, but I didn't know so many people are practicing Falun Gong in Taiwan."
Sponsoring "Falun Gong discussion consortium for teachers"
 Head of the Kaohsiung City Education Bureau acknowledges Falun Gong |   Teachers divide into groups to learn the exercises |
In July 2001, the first "Falun Gong discussion consortium for teachers" was held at Xinjia National Elementary School in Kaohsiung County. More and more teachers have benefited and the feedback was very positive. More consortiums were held each summer or winter, six of them so far.
In January 2002, a consortium was held at Mingzheng National Elementary School. Zeng Xianzheng, the head of the Kaohsiung City Education Bureau and section head Zhen Lijun gave very positive comments about Falun Gong. Li Suzhen, principal of the Mingzheng National Elementary School said that she saw with her own eyes teachers who practice Falun Gong experience improved physical health and raised their moral standards; they selflessly helped the children, and the changes are quite obvious. Falun Gong has made tremendous contributions in the field of education. She said she was honored to have the consortium held at Mingzheng National Elementary School.
  Teaching the exercises at the court field of Xiaogang National Middle School |  Liu Guodong, principal of Chenggong Qizhi School, sponsored and took part in two consortiums |  The teachers learned the fifth set of the meditation exercises |
In July 2002, a teacher's consortium was held at Ruifeng National Elementary School. Section head Zhen Lijun talked about the first time Falun Gong practitioners went to the Education Bureau to introduce Dafa to him. He immediately realized that Dafa was righteous and would benefit people's health and their education system. He said, "I want to assist in promoting this [activity] so the Falun Gong teacher's consortium can be held repeatedly."
After he started practicing Falun Gong, the administrative head of Xiaogang National Middle School in Kaohsiung City was cured of chronic illnesses, which prompted the January 2003 consortium. In July 2004 and August 2005, two teacher's consortiums were held at the Chenggong Qizhi School in Kaohsiung City. Many teachers, administrative heads, principals and parents experienced rapid cleansing of mind and body after they started practicing Dafa. They worked hard and transmitted Truth- Compassion-Tolerance to the students and parents and also established Falun Gong clubs at their schools.
Lively "Minghui School Children's Camp"
  Doing the exercises and spreading Dafa on a weekend on the Culture Center lawn |   The children sit in a circle and study the Fa |   The children watch a skit that reflects Truth-Compassion-Forbearance |
 The children put on a performance |  Minghui School Children's Camp at Zhuangjing National Middle School |
As the world becomes more degenerate, the great negative current in society deeply corrupts students. To help our children obtain upright values and have the opportunity to practice cultivation, a group of Falun Gong practitioners led a group of children to study the Fa and do the exercises every Sunday on the lawn outside the Culture Center in Kaohsiung City. Later, a weekend Minghui School was officially founded at Mingzheng National Elementary School.
The "South Taiwan Minghui School Children's Camp" was then held in August 2000, January 2001, June 2002, August 2004 and February 2005 at the Kaohsiung Army Memorial Museum, at the Chengqing Lake Resort, the Zhuangjing National Elementary School and other places. Classes were taught to incorporate the principles of Truth- Compassion-Forbearance into the fun activities. The parents and children enthusiastically praised the camp directors for the captivating and enriching programs.
(To be continued)
Category: April 25 Events
