Correspondent from Minghui.org

(Clearwisdom.net) May 13, 2005 marked the 13^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public. On May 14, Saturday, practitioners in San Francisco area gathered at the Union Square and celebrated this holiday in a different way than usual. Some practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises, some narrated their cultivation stories. Many passers by felt the peaceful energy field and learned the exercises with practitioners. The atmosphere was enthusiastic. In the end, practitioners gave elegant dance performance which pushed the celebration to a climax.

Exercise demonstration

A western practitioner demonstrating the exercises

At 9 am, practitioners' large-scale group practice opened the celebration. Colorful balloons were hung on the handrails around the Union Square. Banners that read, "Truthfulness, Compassion , Forbearance" and "Falun Dafa is great" were unfurled on both sides. Auspicious, peaceful and joyful atmosphere was filled in the square.

Then practitioners related their own experiences of benefiting from the practice of Falun Dafa to celebrate this holiday.

People wishing to learn about the truth

People wishing to learn about the truth

Ivan, a western practitioner from San Francisco bay area said when sharing his stories about cultivating Falun Dafa, "Whenever I recall my past, I feel how fortunate I am to be able to cultivate Falun Gong. Previously, I often read books in spiritual field and always felt that something is missing in my life, but I did not have a answer."

Ivan said that until January 2003, when he was taking a walk in the morning, he saw a group people of different nationalities were doing some yoga-like slow and elegant movements, he was immediately attracted by the peaceful scene. He said that he noticed these people were very serene and peaceful and their faces shone pure and auspicious light.

Ivan stated, "After I practiced Falun Dafa, I found that the principles of Dafa are so profound. I finally find the direction of my life. I can now happily merge Truth-Compassion-Forbearance into my life. The two and half year cultivation has brought me endless happiness."

However, when Ivan learned about the persecution experienced by Falun Gong practitioners in China, he felt very sorrow. He said, "I could not understand why so many good people are suffering the persecution simply because of their practice of Falun Gong in China. Gradually, I understood. All these unimaginable persecution and torture are due to the evil nature of the Communist Party. I hate the Chinese Communist Party's propaganda. I made up my mind to help people to learn about the truth."

Alice, a San Francisco resident told this reporter that she was deeply moved by practitioners' peaceful group practice. Prior to this, what she heard about Falun Gong was all from the CCP's deceptive propaganda. Today, she saw the real Falun Gong practitioners and they are totally different from what the CCP described. She said, "Today, I see Falun Gong with my own eyes. Falun Gong practitioners believe in Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerances and they are very peaceful. They are totally different from the propaganda. I'm really happy to be able to learn about the truth."

A lady named Patrinella said that usually she would not accept any flyers handed out to her. But when she was in New York, she saw Falun Gong practitioners' anti-torture exhibit, and saw some practitioner was confined in a small cage and her face showed marks of being beaten and tortured. The scene moved her and she accepted the truth-clarifying video CD and booklet. She said, "I watched the video when I got home. The video talked about Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance as well as the practice of cultivation. I like it very much. Today, I see you practicing Falun Gong here in San Francisco. Now I can learn the exercise from you!"

Mr. Bian, 65 years old, has practiced Falun Gong for 9 years. He said that today is the 13^th anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa. Before the persecution began in 1999, Falun Dafa was warmly received in Mainland China. At that time, a hundred million people practiced Falun Dafa. People's moral standard improved in a great deal, they obtained good health and the society was also stable as a result. Falun Gong brought Chinese people and the country a great number of benefits.

Mr. Bian said, "Such a good practice has been unfortunately persecuted since 1999. I've experienced the entire process from April 25 to July 20, 1999. After I went abroad, my freedoms of practicing the exercises and belief are ensured. In the world, Falun Gong is now practiced in more than 70 countries."

Mr. Bian considered that the CCP's evil nature completely departs from Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. The Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party exposed the vicious nature of the party. I believe that in the near future, we will be able to celebrate this World Falun Dafa Day with practitioners from Mainland China."