Letters to the Editor: A Season of Peace, Faith, and Compassion in a Changing World

(Minghui.org) Editors’ note: After we published “In Praise of Shen Yun” on December 6, 2024, we received more letters from our readers, who expressed their support for Shen Yun. During the busy season of publishing the tens of thousands of new year greetings to Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, we are also sharing below three letters we received from the readers. To protect them from being attacked by the Chinese Communist Party, we have omitted their personal information.

Letter 1: A Season of Peace, Faith, and Compassion in a Changing World

Dear Editor,

I have been a resident of (place name) for 25 years, and always cherish spending Christmas at home. It is so delightful to see the festive decorations throughout the neighborhoods. For many of us, this is a family-centered season of peace, and I hope this cherished tradition continues.

In recent years, I have volunteered with Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance group that presents “China before Communism” during its performances at (theater name) performing arts center in (county).

Shen Yun celebrates traditions through historical stories and ethnic cultures, using dance and music to convey values of kindness, loyalty, and courage. The show also features a few pieces highlighting the persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice, by the Chinese Communist Party. These performances are particularly moving and touch one’s heart.

In today’s world, we seem to have lost a sense of deep human connection. What I took away from Shen Yun was the importance of caring for others and embracing love and kindness in our daily lives. Yet, if we continue on our current path, the future may look bleak.

By holding on to our traditions, faith, and compassion, we can find hope and protection during challenging times. Timeless wisdom still holds: goodness is rewarded, and wrongdoing meets its consequences.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

NameLocation

Letter 2

Dear Editor,

As a (state name) resident, I would like to share my thoughts on the recent findings by the House of Representatives committee suggesting that the COVID-19 virus most likely originated from a Chinese lab in Wuhan. This pandemic has claimed over a million lives and caused $14 trillion in economic losses in the United States.

In my opinion, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) should be held accountable for introducing and spreading the virus globally. However, just as crucial is the need to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. This is a challenging task, given the CCP’s ambition to dominate the world, and its view of the U.S. as its biggest obstacle. The CCP has fostered a culture of aggression, irresponsibility, and disregard for common human ethics among Chinese companies and citizens.

The U.S. and the international community must support the Chinese people in reconnecting with fundamental human values. Shen Yun Performing Arts, a classical Chinese dance troupe, offers a unique solution through its performances, which celebrate traditional Chinese culture rooted in respect for the divine, and harmony with nature and humanity.

It is not impossible for China to coexist peacefully with the world – if it abandons its communist regime and returns to its rich cultural heritage that values human dignity and mutual respect.

Sincerely,(NameEmailPhone Number)

Letter 3: Shen Yun and American Foreign Policy

Every year during the holiday season, Shen Yun advertisements persistently appear on YouTube, capturing at least 30 seconds of my attention. Having enjoyed Shen Yun performances multiple times, I am grateful for its beautiful power to reignite my enthusiasm for Chinese culture. As a close observer of American foreign policies, I believe Shen Yun offers more than mere entertainment.

Shen Yun educates the American public about the Chinese communist regime. Americans acquire knowledge through entertainment programs, and in an era of redefining approaches to Beijing, support from the vast voting population is crucial to the success of decision-makers in Washington. For ordinary American families, topics like China’s economic, technological, and security threats are less digestible at kitchen tables. Stories about freedom and basic rights are more straightforward and readily accepted.

While newspapers and magazines occasionally cover ethnic persecution in Xinjiang, and rights violations in other parts of the country, their persuasive power pales in comparison to a theatrical stage play. Innovatively, Shen Yun’s dances feature stories of Falun Gong practitioners facing religious persecution. The images of Chinese police in black suits pursuing and beating a young girl remain etched in viewers’ memories for months, if not years. It’s worth noting that Shen Yun began its global tour as early as 2006, when the government was still “engaging” with China, and human rights atrocities were often downplayed.

The central theme of Shen Yun is an exposition of China’s enduring traditional values. This is the essence that underlies the beautiful music and dances—what Shen Yun truly wants to convey. Though it may sound like a cliché, shared values define long-term relations between countries. The key to handling the relationship with China is to truly understand its values. These traditional values have sustained China as a nation through dynasties spanning thousands of years. Although the current communist regime has attempted to root out these traditions over the past century, it cannot. These values will outlive any dynasty or ruling regime, serving as the spiritual magnet that binds the Chinese people together, and will be the bedrock of U.S.–China relations.

What are these values? First and foremost, humans were created by God, and come from higher places. Second, by cultivating one’s moral character, a person can succeed in their career, harmonize their family, and bring order to the entire country. Lastly, by cultivating moral character, one can return to their original, true self.

Shen Yun’s stories invite us to add a moral dimension to the ongoing U.S.–China competition. For too long, our discussions have been confined to mundane levels. In fact, many accusations against China could also be leveled at ourselves. If we focus solely on material competition, the contest becomes a dogfight, making it difficult to distinguish right from wrong. Shen Yun’s stories offer no moral ambiguity. People are drawn to narratives where the righteous are rewarded and evil meets its retribution.

This is often where strength and hope emerge. We must articulate loudly what the world would look like under Communist China’s dominance, and make our ideological conviction crystal clear.

We want America to prevail, not because we are economically, technologically, or militarily stronger, but because we represent a more compassionate and tolerant way of life.

There are a thousand interpretations of Shen Yun for a thousand people. In my perspective, Shen Yun is a valuable addition to the toolbox of American foreign policy.