(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in Christmas parades and spread the beauty of Falun Dafa in four cities near Toronto on November 25 and 26, 2023.
One person said, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are genuine principles passed on to us by the divine.” The live TV broadcast of the parade in Milton recorded the Tian Guo Marching Band and introduced Falun Dafa to its viewers.
The Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the Santa Claus parade in Markham, Canada, at 11 a.m. on November 25, 2023. Many residents are Chinese. They video-recorded practitioners’ marching band and shared it on WeChat with their friends. Falun Dafa practitioners’ waist-drum team participated in a Santa Claus parade in Pickering that day.
The Tian Guo Marching Band and the waist-drum team met at another city, Ajax, for a third Christmas parade on the afternoon of November 25 to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with its residents.
The marching band and waist-drum teams participated in a fourth Christmas parade, the Milton Santa Claus Parade, on November 26, 2023. Milton’s parade first began in 1933, making this its 90th annual Christmas parade.
“The Tian Guo Marching Band’s music warms my heart.”
Marian and her family enjoyed listening to the Tian Guo Marching Band rehearse before the parade. She moved to the rhythm and told practitioners, “The Tian Guo Marching Band music warms my heart this winter.” A practitioner told her, “The band members practice Falun Dafa, which includes four standing exercises and a meditation.”
When Marian asked where Falun Dafa came from, the practitioner said, “This practice originated in China but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banned Falun Dafa and even persecutes practitioners.”
Marian was shocked. “The CCP forbids people from doing meditation exercises? Why?” she asked. The practitioner explained that the number of practitioners in China increased until there were more Falun Dafa practitioners than Party members and that the CCP only wants people to believe in the communist regime. She said, “My mother is in the Tian Guo Marching Band today. She was sentenced to two years for distributing Falun Dafa informational flyers when she was in China.”
Marian was moved to tears and said, “That is so sad. I feel for those practitioners being persecuted. I was diagnosed with post-natal depression and it was meditation that helped me get through it. I am truly upset from the bottom of my heart knowing that the CCP forbids practitioners from practicing the exercises and even persecutes them. I will do my best to help those practitioners who are being persecuted.”
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Are Good Principles
Jennie cheered and videorecorded the Tian Guo Marching Band during the Christmas parade in Markham. She said, “I like the Tian Guo Marching Band. Their beautiful melodies makes me feel happy. The band brought culture and color to the parade. They must have rehearsed many times. They look so neat, well-coordinated, and disciplined. They are skilled.”
Jennie said she saw the practitioners’ banner at the beginning of the parade but did not know what the Chinese characters meant. Practitioners explained that the words, “Falun Dafa” refer to an ancient spiritual practice. Jennie said, “I like this practice because the music is beautiful. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are fundamental principles of being a human being and are good principles to follow. We should strive to abide by Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. We will be wiser and more knowledgeable in the long run.”
She said, “Thank you for telling me about Falun Dafa. I will do more research about it.”
“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is passed on to us by the divine.”
Andy and his wife, Vina, are from Eastern Europe. Practitioners and the couple exchanged Christmas greetings and Vina said, “The first impression I got was that the music is very lively and meaningful.”
She said, “I first saw Falun Dafa’s banner when the waist-drum team passed by. I looked up Falun Dafa on my cellphone.” Andy said, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are genuine principles passed on to us by the divine. It teaches us to live by these principles.”
When a practitioner told them about the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa. Andy said, “The CCP is afraid that the growing numbers of practitioners will threaten the communist regime. It is really sad that the CCP does not allow practitioners to practice their belief. I am thankful that people can have freedom of belief in Canada. I used to live in Asia so I am not a stranger to the CCP’s atrocities. I know the CCP has persecuted many different groups and people. I don’t think the CCP will change its violent nature.”
Parade Staff Member Interested in Practicing Falun Dafa
Matthew is a parade staff member in Ajax. He listened to the marching band’s rehearsal prior to the parade and followed the band during the parade.
He spoke highly of the marching band’s performance. “The best part of the marching band is that the members are highly professional. Their marches and music are in sync. This is a perfect performance.”
When a practitioner told him about Falun Dafa, Matthew nodded and said, “I want to learn Falun Dafa. I have always wanted to do meditation. Meditation can make my mind cleaner, clearer, and calmer.
“Where can I learn to practice Falun Dafa?”
Michael was attracted to the Tian Guo Marching Band’s performances and kept cheering for them, “The band members are very talented. I resonate with the music—it touches my soul.”
When a practitioner explained that the band is composed of Falun Dafa practitioners he asked, “I believe that Falun Dafa can heal my mind and body. Where can I learn to practice it?”
When he heard the classes were free, Michael said, “I am touched that Falun Dafa is free of charge. I want to be a kinder person of higher moral standards. I upset people whenever I get angry. I also influence those around me when I am happy. To me, ‘Forbearance’ means letting go of my anger and hatred. I need to maintain a calmer heart.”
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