June 3, 2021 | By a Minghui correspondent in Sydney
Falun Dafa practitioners took part in Blacktown’s annual cultural festival in West Sydney on May 29, 2021. Spectators enjoyed the event and praised their performance enthusiastically.
Bringing Wonderful, Positive Energy to the Community
Blacktown is a bustling city, whose annual parade is always spectacular. Since 2000, practitioners have been invited to participate in the event more than 20 times and have won the gold award several times.
This year, due to the CCP virus pandemic, the event was moved from the streets to the Blacktown International Sports Park. Fewer spectators were allowed, but the practitioners’ entry was still warmly received by the crowd.
As the Tian Guo Marching Band marched past the booth, the MC exclaimed: “Wow! The Falun Dafa practitioners’ entry is amazing!” The MC introduced the practice, “Falun Dafa is a traditional Chinese spiritual way based on the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. People can improve their health and mental well being through meditation and exercises. The practice is taught for free. It can help relieve stress. Everyone please applaud them, thank you!”
Moninder Singh, JP PhD, a Blacktown city councilor, said, “Falun Dafa is an outstanding organisation and it adds good, positive energy to the festival. It is beneficial to the health of the community. They often take part in activities in the region and contribute to the area’s diverse culture.”
He said, “The Falun Dafa practitioners’ performance is amazing, excellent! They have showcased the best! I appreciate them very much.”
Former city councilor Frank Mossfield was delighted to see the practitioners and greeted them like old friends. He walked together with them, laughing and chatting. He said, “Their entry is always the most beautiful and colorful. I love their music and costumes… So many years, I thank them for bringing positive energy to our community.”
Michael Reid, vice president of the Blacktown branch of the Australia Returned and Services League (RSL), and his daughter loved the songs played by Tian Guo Marching Band. “They have always been great,” he said. “I think they are sensational, their attire is vibrant. They are a very peaceful, orthodox and well trained group. They have brought positive energy to our society.”
Happy, Upward Energy
Celeste Muranty said, “During this difficult pandemic, I am especially glad to see Falun Dafa practitioners, they are so beautiful. They have a wonderful energy. They are proactive, happy, and upward. They are dressed in bright costumes, I love them.”
Local Residents Want to Learn Falun Dafa
As part of the day’s activities, practitioners demonstrated the five exercises at the information booth. The graceful movements and gentle music attracted several people, both Chinese and Western. They said that they felt the calm energy from the exercises. Some local residents said they wished to learn the exercises and left their contact information.
Darinka Vasilorsica and her husband put their names down to learn the exercises. They were looking for a way to reduce their stress from work. They said they felt a serene, quiet energy when they walked past the practitioners’ booth. It inspired them to join the practice site nearby. Darinka said, “I’d like to learn the exercises in person. I thank you for teaching the exercises for free. You are doing a good thing that benefits society, helping to change the stress in our everyday lives.”
Asama Hadi said he felt the practitioners’ positive energy. “I admire the peaceful meditation practice. The energy is excellent. Meditation can help me relieve stress. I’d like to learn Falun Dafa. I read the brochure and think they are spreading beauty to society during this special period of time.”
Sharyn Mcardle asked her friend to sign the petition to support Falun Dafa when she saw the booth. She said she learned about the practice several years ago from an Asian friend and knew about the persecution in China. She said, “I hope practitioners in China can get the right to freedom of belief. I support Falun Dafa and I know ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance’ will make the world a better place.”
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Chinese version available
(Clearwisdom)