(Clearwisdom.net) May 13 is World Falun Dafa Day and the birthday of the founder of Falun Gong. To celebrate this jubilee, on May 8, 2010, Falun Gong practitioners from Munich and Bavaria, Germany, held activities at Max-Joseph-Platz in front of the Munich Palace and the National Opera, showcasing the beauty of Falun Gong through exercise demonstrations and photo exhibits.

German practitioners celebrate the 11^th World Falun Dafa Day and wish Master Happy Birthday

 Practitioners do the exercises on Max-Joseph-Platz in front of the Munich Palace and the National Opera

On May 13 eighteen years ago, Mr. Li Hongzhi first taught Falun Gong, which follows the principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, publicly in China,. Within seven years, there were nearly 100 million practitioners in China. Practitioners strive to become better people and benefit in mind and body. On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Through the adversity, practitioners held firm to their beliefs. Eighteen years later Falun Gong has spread to more than 100 countries around the world. The main book, Zhuan Falun, was translated into more than 30 languages and published around the world. There are practice sites in many German cities, and they all teach Falun Gong free of charge.

Practitioner Ms. Yi said that she attended the event to celebrate Falun Dafa Day. She said, "As a Falun Gong practitioner, I feel very lucky. Since I started practicing Falun Gong, I have enlightened to many things in life. I no longer pursue profit or fame. My life is meaningful and fulfilling. I know what to do and how to live. I am very grateful to Master for teaching me the practice, so I feel I must attend this event to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day."

Another practitioner, Mr. Zhang, said, "Falun Gong practitioners should attend this event. This is the eleventh World Falun Dafa Day, which is celebrated by practitioners around the world. I feel that this day is very important. We should let everyone in the world know about Falun Gong, instead of just benefiting fr om it ourselves."

The exercise demonstration attracted many passing residents and tourists, including Yoga teacher Christa. Having practiced Yoga for 30 years, she was very sensitive to energy. She was attracted by the strong energy she felt from the Falun Gong exercises.

Christa has been interested in Chinese culture since she was small. When she was eight years old, she received some birthday gifts that had a connection with China. Later she often got unexpected things related to China without knowing why. As an adult, she has been very interested in Chinese medicine and the I Ching. Stopping for a long time in front of the information stand, she learned about the CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China. She signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution and said, "I am just learned about these brutalities. Lao Zi said that a long journey starts with the first step. If everyone would sign, these signatures would be very effective. If people's energy is strengthened, they will achieve their goals. Even if I myself cannot make a difference, these events may achieve the desired results."

Finally, practitioners who participated in this event had a group photo taken to wish Master, "Happy Birthday."