By a Falun Dafa practitioner from Germany

(Clearwisdom.net) Around Christmastime 2006, practitioners participating in the Divine Land Marching Band from all over Europe gathered in France, because on December 31 and January 1, the European Divine Land Marching Band was bringing four shows to Paris. Before this, members from different places followed their own training, but the entire band had never rehearsed together. Time was limited, tasks were heavy, but everybody was confident.

In the beginning, people playing different instruments rehearsed separately at different places, and this created a lot of problems in performing together. Later on, practitioners contacted a nearby church, where it was peaceful and quiet. It had enough space for everyone, and we would not disturb others and visa versa. After three days of rehearsal, we gained confidence and improved quickly. Some practitioners had only gotten their instruments very recently and could not join in at the beginning. So instead of sleeping, they took advantage of that time to practice until they got proficient. On the fourth day, we went to a suburb of Paris to practice our marching. On that day the interference was great; it was raining, with very strong winds. We stood outside for six or seven hours. When the rain was heavy, we all sent forth righteous thoughts; when it got a little lighter, we made the best use of time to play our instruments. Although the road was muddy and the wind and rain were cold, no difficulties could hinder the righteous thoughts of Dafa disciples. It was getting dark and the lights came on. We stood in orderly lines, and with the selections "Falun Dafa is Good" and "Drums and Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions," we finished the rehearsal. On the following day, we would appear in downtown Paris.

In the early morning of December 31, before dawn, the 160 people that made up the Divine Land Marching Band were ready to start. After many days of rehearsals, we could show the beauty of Dafa and the righteous thoughts of Dafa disciples to ordinary people at last. We were filled with emotions, and some even shed tears. With the mighty sound of drums, our team marched forward slowly. Pedestrians gathered along the road, windows in nearby buildings opened one after another, and cameras flashed again and again. The celestial music rose from the earth and sounded above Paris. On both sides of the road, other practitioners were busy distributing fliers to people and exposing the facts of persecution of Falun Gong in China. People who knew the truth raised their thumbs for us. Applause sounded wherever the band marched. Seeing the delight that came from the bottoms of their hearts after they knew the truth, we also smiled with joy. Yes, again and again we came for you and brought you truth and happiness. Please cherish this opportunity given by gods and the moment that we could meet each other. Within two days, we performed in downtown Paris, in the Paris Parade Festival, in Paris' Chinatown, and in a parade event in a satellite city of Paris. The last performance was in downtown Paris under the Eiffel Tower. At the beginning of the New Year, many people gathered in front of the tower. After the marching performance, the Divine Land Marching Band gathered again at Human Rights Square, and played "Falun Dafa Is Good" and "Drums and Trumpets Shake the World in Ten Directions" for people who would not leave even after a long time. Surrounded by the cheers of spectators, the New Year's Performance of the Divine Land Marching Band concluded.

In that one week, we studied the Fa, did the exercises, rehearsed, and shared our experiences together every day. Although we ate only instant noodles and crackers every day, we still found them delicious. Although our arms were very tired and sore, we still continued to practice. The youngest one among us was only nine years old, but the young never complained. Some practitioners had babies, the youngest only four months old. But they still overcame all kinds of difficulties to practice and perform together. French practitioners offered free food and accommodation for those from other countries. We said that the cost of water and electricity was too great to be borne only by French practitioners and that everyone should contribute some money. But the French practitioners refused to accept any reimbursement. In the end the money collected was used to rent the place for rehearsals. One week is not a long time, but what we experienced and felt in this enormous righteous and pure family cannot be expressed even with thousands of words.

I wish the European Divine Land Marching Band's celestial music could be heard all over Europe. I wish all people could understand the truth and feel the beauty of Dafa. I hope all Dafa disciples will be diligent and not let down Master.

Posting date: 1/23/2007
Original article date: 1/23/2007
Category: Falun Dafa Worldwide

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