(Minghui.org) The Taiwan Falun Dafa Association constructed a six-story-high Fa Boat Lantern as their contribution to the annual 2022 Taiwan Lantern Festival. The beautiful structure, which can hold 100 people, was displayed in Gangshan Park in the southern city of Kaohsiung from February 1 to 28.
The last three days happened to be a long weekend and brought heavy foot traffic to the festival site. The festival attracted over ten thousand visitors who enjoyed this annual traditional cultural experience.
During the last three days of the festival, the Tian Guo Marching Band and Waist Drum Team performed in front of the Fa Boat Lantern, making the event even more festive and lively. Many officials, business owners, and local celebrities participated in the event to promote the art of lantern-making and ring in a new year of peace and prosperity.
This was the 13th year that the Falun Dafa Fa Boat was displayed at the Taiwan Lantern Festival. The Fa Boat Lantern’s designer, Mr. Chuang Yi-Chung, said that it took him six months to complete the structure. “The bottom of the boat is made of 12 lotus flower petals, and on the three sails are nine Fa Wheels that rotate clockwise nine times and counterclockwise nine times. At the front of the boat is an auspicious Dragon Flag and the three flags on the masts have the Chinese characters for Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, that emit a dazzling golden light at night. Next to the boat are two other Falun Dafa lanterns: Divine Horse Pulling Celestial Cart, and Falun Dafa’s Five Exercises. Practitioners were in the lantern area all day and taught the exercises free of charge.”
Fa Boat Brings Positive Energy and Blessings
On the evening of February 15, Mr. Hsiao Sung-Shan, president of the Falun Dafa Association of Taiwan, officially lit the boat. He said, “The boat is designed, constructed and assembled by Falun Dafa practitioners. I hope that the Fa Boat Lantern will bring light to all directions during the New Year and highlight good traditions and values.”
Mr. Hsiao also hopes that the lantern boat will bring a rejuvenating energy and blessings to the local community at this trying time. “During the pandemic we hope everyone can stay safe by joining us and learning the Falun Dafa exercises,” he said.
Falun Dafa’s Positive Energy Is Beneficial to Society
Legislator Lin Tai-Hua said, “The Fa Boat Lantern with its message ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good’ is unique. With the music from the Tian Guo Marching Band and the performance from the Waist Drum Team, this is a place full of positive energy. The six-story-high boat which is lit up from the bottom to the top level, is stunning.”
When Legislator Hsu Chih-Chieh got on the Fa Boat he said that it made him happy. “I feel hope and brightness, and believe that this boat can lead me to health, joy, and beauty, and make our world a better place. I wish more people could come and learn Falun Dafa,” he said. “Practicing Falun Dafa can improve one’s health and boost our immune systems. The principles of the practice teach positive virtues and bring positive energy, which is beneficial to society. The world embraces Falun Dafa and I support it wholeheartedly.”
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Brings Peace to Society
Wu Tai-Lang, CEO of Heng Mao Hardware Processing Company, boarded the Falun Dafa Boat during the Festival. “I felt comfortable and peaceful when I got on the Fa Boat,” he said. “Practicing Falun Dafa not only brings physical health, its principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance promote peace and harmony in society. The principles are important values that our future generations should learn.”
Twelve people from the Shou-Tien Temple participated in the Lantern-lighting Ceremony. Tai Ching-Fu, the chief commissioner of the temple, said that he knows Falun Dafa can improve fitness and that Dafa practitioners live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. “They are a highly disciplined, outstanding group. We support the practice very much,” he said.
Boat Expert: Fa Boat Lantern Is Magnificent
Chang Chia-Hao, CEO of Global Yacht Builders, boarded the Fa Boat with his friends. “I am an expert boat builder, but the people who built the Fa Boat are amateurs. It is absolutely magnificent that they built such a spectacular and stable boat. They are serious about showing the world the benefits of Falun Dafa. I am moved by the fact that amateurs can build such a delicate and vivid lantern. Falun Dafa is magnificent indeed,” he said.
Lantern Shows Power of Positive Energy and Compassion
Wang Chi-Hua, former chairman of the Industrial Union of the Kaohsiung Port Authority, said that the first time she saw Falun Dafa practitioners was when she visited South Korea. “I saw the banners saying ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good’ on the street in Seoul. I felt very close to them at the time,” she said. “The Boat Lantern is so delicate yet so majestic. It is a product of group effort. I admire the practitioners’ hard work. They demonstrate Falun Dafa’s positive energy and power of kindness through the lantern.”
Ms. Wang remarked that looking at the boat lantern gave her a soothing feeling. She added that “Divine Horse Pulling Celestial Cart” made her feel as if she was comforted by Buddhas.
The Rotating Fa Wheels Are Majestic
Chang Hong-Tai, former president of Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital, praised the Fa Boat and said it was majestic. “The nine Fa Wheels on the sails rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, giving out light and energy, and bring a peaceful and auspicious atmosphere. The Boat is fine and sturdy. We can get on the boat and experience being part of Falun Dafa’s Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It’s so interesting! I hope more people can come and experience the serenity.”
Coming to the Fa Boat Area Feels Like Coming Home
Yang Hui-Chen and Lin Ching-Hui are volunteers at the Pingtung County Police Department. Yang Hui-Chen said, “Coming to the Fa Boat Area feels like coming home. It warms my heart. I’ve been anxious during the pandemic. However, as soon as I got on the boat, my heart calmed down. Seeing the light and the Fa Wheels turning, I felt so relaxed, as if the pandemic was gone. I am very grateful!”
Ms. Lin agreed that getting on the boat made her feel calm. “I felt that the boat was moving forward. It was a pleasant surprise seeing the Divine Horse moving. I will cherish this experience and share it with my friends.”
Background: What Is Falun Dafa?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide.
Millions of people who have embraced the teachings, which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and learned the five gentle exercises, have experienced uplifted health and well-being.
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(Clearwisdom)
