(Minghui.org) On May 11, 2024, practitioners across Sweden celebrated the 25th anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day and the birthday of Falun Dafa’s founder Master Li Hongzhi at the Royal Garden in central Stockholm. They conveyed the beauty of Falun Dafa by doing the exercises together, displaying truth clarification information, and playing the waist drums.
Eight Swedish parliamentary assemblies and dignitaries sent greetings to honor World Falun Dafa Day. They said they would continue to support Falun Dafa practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution and encouraged them to persevere.
Practitioners held an event to celebrate Falun Dafa Day on May 11 in the Royal Gardens in Stockholm.
The lively and festive traditional Chinese waist drum and lion dance performances attracted many people and were warmly applauded.
The Chinese waist drum and lion dance performances were very popular.
People condemn the persecution and sign a petition to support practitioners’ efforts to end it.
Practitioners used loudspeakers to introduce Falun Dafa.
Their peaceful exercise demonstration attracted people who were interested in learning to practice Falun Dafa.
Attracted by the peaceful scene as practitioners did the exercises, many people took photos and videos. Some read the display boards and talked to practitioners to find out more about Falun Dafa. When people learned that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) persecutes practitioners who follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and even harvests their organs while they are alive, they expressed their indignation and condemnation, and signed a petition to end the persecution.
Many people were interested in learning the exercises. Some started to learn them at the event, while others asked where the nearest practice sites were. Some listened as practitioners described how they cultivated themselves in accordance with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and benefited both physically and mentally.
A Flyer Changed Their Fate
Birgitta, a practitioner from Gävle in east-central Sweden, and her sister Susanne, also a practitioner, handed out information about Falun Dafa.
Birgitta works in the municipality of Gävle Kommun and is responsible for managing computer systems. She recounted her experience of obtaining the Fa. “My sister Susanne and I were looking for a way to improve our minds. In the summer of 2002 Susanne met a Falun Dafa practitioner at a market bazaar and we were fortunate to get a Dafa leaflet. Susanne said she was interested in learning the exercises. She tried the practice movements, which felt very good!”
Birgitta said there are no words to describe her gratitude to Master. She said, “Happy birthday, Master!”
Birgitta said that her sister’s good news brought her hope. “I was very depressed at that time, because our mother had just passed away from an illness. My family relationships were very strained, and coupled with the pressure from work, my whole body hurt, and I was on sick leave for a long time. I seemed to be waiting for that day! I found a contact person at the local practice site. After I learned the exercises, I felt really good. I began practicing Falun Dafa in August 2002.”
Birgitta said that by reading Falun Dafa’s main book Zhuan Falun, she understood the meaning of life and found answers to her confusion. “After practicing the five exercises, I felt energized, and I experienced tranquility and peace like never before. My physical condition got better and better. I went back to work, and my family noticed the changes in me and were happy for me.”
After cultivating, Birgitta learned to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and her work and family environment improved. Birgitta does her work well, and her family relationships are harmonious. “When things are intense at work, I view them with a peaceful mind, and the same is true in life. I think more from the other person’s point of view and understand others more. I’m more focused.
“Practicing Falun Dafa has given me a new lease on life. I want to tell people that Falun Dafa teaches people to be good and that it is very, very important for everyone in the world. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to Master. I am deeply honored to be his disciple.”
Her sister Susanne and her husband run a local clothing store. She said, “Before I practiced, I suffered a neck injury in a car accident, which left my whole body stiff and painful. I was on sick leave for a long time. I remember that summer in July 2002 when that Falun Dafa practitioner taught me the exercises, I felt that this exercise was not ordinary, and I made up my mind to practice it. Soon after I began practicing, my body was more flexible, the pain was gone, and I was happy and full of energy every day. Soon I was back at work. I truly experienced the magic and beauty of Falun Dafa.”
Susanne expressed her gratitude to Master: “I am grateful to Master for giving me the opportunity to cultivate.”
Susanne also said that when she handles whatever happens around her in her daily life according to the standards of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, she is calm and peaceful, and her surroundings become better and better. “My family has also seen the changes in me, and the whole family has been very supportive of my practicing. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to Master for giving me the most precious opportunity to cultivate and for giving me the opportunity to help more people understand the truth.”
Hemant, a software engineer, started practicing Falun Dafa in 2011 when he was working in India.
Hemant said, “I am very grateful to Master for allowing me to practice Falun Dafa. Thank you, Master!”
He said that 2011 was a turning point in his life. Just as his desire to find direction in his life was growing stronger, the manager of his company held a Falun Dafa workshop. “That was how I met Dafa and got the treasured book Zhuan Falun that guides my cultivation. I understood that the true meaning of life is to return to my original self. I found the guiding light of my life.”
After he began practicing, Hemant applied the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in his work and life, and he dealt with conflicts with sincerity and tolerance, silently confirming the beauty of Dafa with his actions. He won the respect and trust of his colleagues and friends.
Hemant wants to tell the Chinese people: “Falun Dafa is the best practice in the world, and hundreds of millions of people have benefited from it. I envy the Chinese because Master Li was born in China. I hope you, as Chinese, can understand the truth about Falun Dafa. Only when you understand the truth will you not be misled by the CCP’s lies and propaganda and side with the persecutors. When you choose justice and conscience, you will have a bright future.”
Practitioners took a group photo to express their respect and gratitude for Master.
Practitioners took a group photo to express their most sincere respect and gratitude to Master Li Hongzhi. They exclaimed, “Congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day and Master’s 73rd birthday! Thank you, Master, for your grace!”
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