Australia: Falun Dafa Practitioners Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day in Downtown Melbourne (Photos)

By a practitioner from Melbourne, Australia

(Clearwisdom.net) May 13, 2005 marks the thirteenth anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public. It is also the founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi's 54^th birthday, and is World Falun Dafa Day. On this day, which is celebrated by heaven and earth, practitioners from Melbourne held a series of activities, including an exercise demonstration, art performances, and a poster exhibit in a downtown plaza. Practitioners displayed the beauty of Falun Dafa, told people about the persecution in China, and called on the public to support the persecuted practitioners and orphans whose parents have died from the persecution.

University students were deeply attracted by the celebration

Exercise demonstration

On May 13, 1992, Mr. Li Hongzhi held the first Falun Gong lecture class in China. Since then, Falun Gong has spread widely inside and outside of China. The practice has brought better health and higher moral standards to millions of people. On July 20, 1999, the Chinese communist regime, then headed by Jiang Zemin, abused the entire nation's resources to stage a genocide-style persecution against Falun Gong. The darkest and most vicious persecution in human history has been ongoing for six years. Practitioners have been through all kinds of tribulations, and are able to walk their path righteously with the power of their belief in "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance."

The downtown plaza is very busy during noontime. Under the autumn sunshine, huge banners reading, "World Falun Dafa Day," "Falun Dafa is Great," and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" were displayed. The practitioners' peaceful and elegant exercise demonstration attracted many people. The fan dance, ribbon dance and solo singing that followed won warm applause from the spectators. A good number of people even sat down on the ground to enjoy the performances. There was also a poster display showing the worldwide spread of Falun Dafa. Many people carefully viewed the posters.

Little Lotus Flowers Touch People's Hearts

Jane, a practitioner from Melbourne, has visited numerous middle schools and elementary schools in the province. She has shared the story about little Fadu and her mother Ms. Jane Dai, whose daddy and husband lost his life in a Chinese labor camp because he was a Falun Gong practitioner. She also taught children to fold paper lotus flowers. Countless parents and teachers have been deeply moved by her presentation. The "Petals of Peace" blossomed in Victoria Province. Thousands of postcards imprinted with little lotus flowers were sent to the United Nations, calling for support for the orphans of Falun Gong practitioners who have lost their lives in the persecution in China.

During the celebration on May 13, Jane told this reporter about several touching stories that occurred at the "Petal of Peace" booth.

A mother and her five children were attracted by the colorful paper lotus flowers. After listening to Jane's stories, the lady taught the children how to fold the paper lotus flowers. The children attentively learned, and the flowers they folded were beautiful. What was amazing was that three of the children were boys. The mother immediately asked how she could make a donation after she learned about the global mission to rescue practitioners' orphans. She also asked for information about local practice sites and schedules.

Another mother and her three-year-old child were deeply moved by the stories of little Fadu and her mother. After making a lotus flower, they were reluctant to leave. They asked to learn the five sets of Falun Gong exercises.

A university student, who emigrated from Singapore with his parents when he was a little boy, stayed at the site for a long time. He attentively viewed each poster and took the initiative to sign the petition. In addition, he took many photos. His attentiveness drew this reporter's attention, so I went over to talk with him. He told me that this was the first time he heard about Falun Dafa and he felt it was very interesting. He said that he did not know about the recent unjust conviction against Falun Gong practitioners by the Singapore government, but said he would carefully read the materials handed to him and find out more through the Internet.

During the celebrations, which lasted from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., we heard many Chinese tourists and students' sighing with emotion, "Western people also practice Falun Gong!?" Some Western people, who already knew the truth of Falun Gong, took the initiative to introduce it to their friends. "See, this is Falun Dafa!"

The celebration concluded successfully. Many practitioners prepared to drive to Sydney early the next morning to participate in the grand celebrations to be held on May 14.
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/5/15/101852.html

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