(Minghui.org) The 36th Dragon Boat Festival of Toronto was held on Centre Island from June 15 to 16, 2024, drawing nearly 120 teams and more than 2,000 athletes from all over the world to participate in the boat race. About 80,000 local residents and tourists gathered to watch, enjoy the summer weekend, and learn about the dragon boat culture that originated in China.
Falun Dafa practitioners in Toronto introduced the practice in Harbour Square Park which is on the way to Centre Island. They set up banners, distributed flyers, and talked to passersby. They raised awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. They demonstrated the exercises, and also played traditional waist drums.
Introducing Falun Dafa to passersby in Harbour Square Park.
People watched the exercise demonstration and the waist drum performances.
The event drew people to learn about Falun Dafa. Many of them learned the five exercises and said it made them feel relaxed and energized.
Festival attendees learn the exercises.
People read display posters.
A passerby takes photo of the poster.
Mind Calm Despite the Noisy Environment
Jain (first from right) learns the sitting meditation.
Jain was interested in the practice and asked if he could learn it. The practitioner taught him the fifth exercise, the sitting meditation. Afterward, he said, “I feel very good. When I was meditating, I could feel a strong energy in my palms.” He added, “I also felt very relaxed. Even in a noisy environment, my mind was calm.”
The practitioner said Falun Dafa is a high level practice, which is why people feel different. Jain was touched and said, “I really feel it. I learned other meditation methods before, but Falun Dafa is really different. I hope someone can teach me and so we can practice together.” He left his phone number and said, “I live in the area. Please let me know every time you come to the park to practice. I will definitely come.”
Relaxed After Doing the Exercises
Galic (first from right) and Chan (second from left) learn the second exercise.
Galic and Chan are from London and were traveling to Toronto on the weekend. When they passed by the park, they took a flyer from a practitioner and sat on a bench nearby to read it. The practitioner noticed that Chan was imitating the exercise illustration on the flyer, so she invited her to learn and experience it. Galic followed suit.
After she practiced the exercises Chan said, “I calmed down immediately during the exercises, and I now feel relaxed.” The practitioner told her stories about how she and her family benefited from practicing Falun Dafa, and that practitioners introduce Dafa, hoping that more people have the opportunity to practice and benefit from it. Chan was moved and said that she would learn how to practice online. After learning that there were also practitioners in London, she said she would get in touch with them.
More People Should Know About the Persecution
Johanna learns about the practice and the CCP’s persecution.
Johanna heard about Falun Dafa for the first time. After listening to a practitioner’s introduction, she said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are very good and attractive to me.”
She then walked to the banner to read more. She said she felt sad about the current situation of practitioners being persecuted in China, “These things are worrying and need people’s attention.” When she heard that the persecution has been going on for 25 years, Johanna asked, “Why isn’t anyone talking about this? People are not allowed to know about these things?” The practitioners explained that these topics are banned in China and are rarely mentioned in media outside China. She explained that practitioners organize these activities to let more people know the truth. Johanna said, “You are doing a great job.”
Renouncing the CCP Organizations
Ms. Mu (alias) is a 79-year-old psychologist who worked in education in China but has been abroad for more than 20 years. When she passed by the Falun Dafa banner, a practitioner smiled and handed her a flyer, so she stopped to talk with her.
Ms. Mu said she was moved by practitioners’ sincerity and kindness, “From your behavior, I can tell that you are not what the Communist Party says you are. As a psychologist, I think Falun Dafa is good for both body and mind.”
Practitioners told her the importance of withdrawing from the CCP and its affiliated organizations and talked about the nature of the Communist Party. Ms. Mu agreed very much and said with emotion, “I know the CCP. During the Cultural Revolution, my family also experienced persecution. Our home was searched and our property was confiscated. Later, when I worked in the education system, I also saw how evil the Party was, so I decided to take my family abroad and settle in Canada.” She declared that she wished to withdraw from the CCP.
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