(Clearwisdom.net) Sunday, September 6, 2010 was a vibrant and colorful day in Kingston-upon-Thames. The streets were alive with countless stalls, performers, and spectators, as different communities from around the world came together for the Kingston Carnival. 

Introducing Falun Gong at the Kingston Carnival

Exercise demonstration

The Falun Gong meditation

The Falun Gong exercise demonstration attracted many people. They gathered to watch the gentle movements and the sitting meditation. The stall for Falun Gong was in the busy central area of the market square, but onlookers saw the practitioners meditate peacefully. When they passed by the stall, many were interested in learning the exercises and coming to the free weekly exercise sessions. They took the fliers with no hesitation. One girl was even more keen to come after hearing that the practice was based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Several Chinese ladies had seen the exercises being performed on stage; when they passed by the Falun Gong stall, they smiled. As they were schoolteachers, they wanted to take some lotus flowers to give to their students. A western schoolteacher also came by, attracted to the hand-made paper lotus flowers decorating the stall. She wished to give some to her young students. After hearing that the lotus flowers have helped to raise awareness about the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China, she was interested in hosting a workshop for the students.