(Minghui.org) On May 1, 2021, over 5,200 Falun Dafa practitioners from all parts of Taiwan gathered at Taipei’s Liberty Square to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. They demonstrated the exercises and then arranged themselves in colorful patterns to commemorate the spiritual practice’s introduction to the public 29 years ago on May 13, 1992.

Characters formed by more than 5,200 practitioners at Liberty Square in Taipei on May 1, 2021. The phrases read, “Happy Birthday, Master” and “Falun Dafa Introduced to the Public 29 Years Ago.”

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises during activities held at Liberty Square on May 1, 2021.

Chang Chin-hua, president of the Falun Dafa Association in Taiwan, said that May 13th is also the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa’s founder. In front of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, she remarked that the practice has brought physical health and moral improvement to about 100 million practitioners worldwide.

Huang Chun-mei, Vice President of the association, said that Taiwan is fortunate to hold such a large-scale event while the pandemic continues to rage across the world. She feels fortunate to live in Taiwan, where freedom of belief is guaranteed. She pointed out the contrast between Taiwan and China, the place where Falun Dafa was introduced. Practitioners in China have been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since July 1999. She hopes the persecution will end soon and people can freely practice their faith in Falun Dafa’s principles, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Congratulations from Officials and VIPs

Tsai Chi-chang, Deputy Speaker of the Taiwan Legislature, said he hopes all Falun Dafa practitioners can uphold their faith and continue to share the beauty of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance with the entire world.

Twu Shiing-er, former Minister of the Department of Health, wished Master Li Happy Birthday and wishes all practitioners health and happiness. He said that, in the past 20-plus years, the world has witnessed how practitioners adhere to their faith despite the CCP’s severe persecution. He also hopes more people will speak up and condemn the CCP’s human rights violations, especially forced organ harvesting, so that this tragedy will stop.

Tseng Chien-yuan from the New School for Democracy thanked Master Li for his contribution, wisdom, and courage. Tseng said that Falun Dafa is a new path that not only improves people’s health but also helps the world become a better place.

Huang Pengxiao, a member of the National Assembly, was happy to join other VIPs in offering congratulations on the continued success and perseverance of Falun Dafa practitioners. Huang said that despite the more than 20 years of persecution, practitioners have been steadfast in their belief. Their perseverance has led society to move forward, and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance offer China hope.

Hsinchu city councilor Tseng Zicheng wished Mr. Li a Happy Birthday. Having joined in candlelight vigils, marches, and other activities over the past few years, he observed that Falun Dafa practitioners are very peaceful and disciplined. Moved by his observations, he called on anyone who seeks good health and uplifted minds to participate in practitioners’ events. He believes Falun Dafa is the most peaceful and trustworthy movement in the world.

Tseng thanked practitioners for their efforts throughout the past 20 years and for spreading the message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. This has provided the world insight and help. Moreover, their consistent efforts through the years have also helped governments all over the world, and their officials and legislators recognize the CCP’s true nature. As a result, many governments have taken a stand against the CCP’s brutality.

Hung Chien-yi, a Taipei city councilor, wished Mr. Li well. He said he admires Falun Dafa practitioners’ courage and steadfast efforts to expose the CCP’s terror, such as human rights abuses and organ harvesting. He knew that many practitioners in Taipei produce and distribute materials to tell the public about the CCP’s persecution in mainland China. The impact of their efforts is positive and great.

Chang Po-yang, news director of the Taiwan Statebuilding Party, congratulated Falun Dafa for its popularity and acceptance around the world. Chang said this is because the practice focuses on kindness and offers people positive guidance.

Chang also expects more people to see through the CCP’s wickedness and that everyone should be tolerant of difference and diversity. He feels it is wrong to suppress different opinions.

One Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Woo Ching-hsiang has designed the images for the character formations for several years. He said that, after the persecution began 22 years ago, the CCP slandered Falun Dafa and deceived people, making them believe there were only a few practitioners left. The character formation participated in by over 5,200 practitioners is a testimony that exposes the Party’s lies.

Woo said that when the beautiful images are posted online and seen in mainland China by whoever can circumvent the internet firewall, many people are impressed and practitioners inside China are encouraged. Chinese citizens can easily see that Falun Dafa is well accepted and practiced in over 100 countries.

Background

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—and experienced improved health and well-being.

Practitioners held the first image formation activities in 1996. They formed the image of the Falun symbol in Guizhou Province, China. After Mr. Li Hongzhi held five introductory seminars in Wuhan and the mind and body practice flourished locally, practitioners in Wuhan held several large-scale group exercise events and image formation activities. According to participants, each one was a grand spectacle.

Since 2000, practitioners outside China have continued to hold these events, highlighting the stark contrast between free societies and communist suppression in China. Practitioners in Taiwan referenced the character formations in Wuhan. The images have become more elaborate over the years and incorporate images of Master Li, lotus flowers, or Falun Dafa’s main book Zhuan Falun.

Since 2000, several thousand practitioners in Taiwan have participated in these character formations.