(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Las Vegas held group exercises, truth clarification, and a signature drive, poetry recitation, and choral performances in Desert Breeze Park on the afternoon of May 9, 2024 to celebrate the 25^th World Falun Dafa Day. May 13, 2024 is also the 32nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the birthday of Master Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa’s founder.

The early summer sky was as blue and clear as a lake, with white clouds reflecting off it, and a gentle breeze cooled the air. Local practitioners decorated the event site with display boards, banners, lotus flowers, and colorful balloons, giving the site a festive atmosphere.

The practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises. Many passersby stopped to watch and talk with practitioners about the practice. Many signed a petition to help end the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Practitioners do the exercises.

Poetry recitation “Hymn Dedicated to Master and Falun Dafa”

Many people signed the petition to end the persecution.

Western Practitioner Recalls How She Began Practicing Falun Dafa

Anna started practicing Falun Dafa in 1997. She grew up in San Francisco, and after completing her undergraduate studies, she went to Boston University to study for a Ph.D. She became depressed because it was very cold and she was alone.

The doctor at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Boston’s Chinatown recommended Falun Dafa to Anna, so she decided to practice.

Anna

Anna said that students at Harvard University had formed a Falun Dafa club by that time, so she joined it. Later, some students from MIT also joined, and they taught her how to do the exercises and study the Fa. Later, more practitioners came, and everyone read Zhuan Falun and organized group exercises in the park. Anna recalled that most practitioners at the university were Chinese, but more westerners began practicing after 1997.

When she started reading the book and practicing the exercises, she found that everything became better. She understood the root causes of many issues, and no longer felt sad. Her mental pressure was also reduced. “My cultivation and everything in life improved, and I became an independent adult,” she recalled.

She was no longer stressed out, and became relaxed and happy. “Everyone in the Falun Dafa Club helped each other out. For example if you needed to go somewhere, someone would drive you there and pick you up. We encouraged each other to come to events, or studied the Fa together all day long. It was really motivating. Everyone was happy to know that it was time to study the Fa together,” Anna said.

When talking about Master’s birthday Anna said that it was really difficult for her to express her gratitude to Master. “Human language cannot truly express my great gratitude to Dafa. I only hope that I can fulfill the vow I made, and live up to Master’s compassion.”