(Minghui.org) Practitioners in New York brought music and dance to Union Square, Manhattan, on May 12 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world and the 25th World Falun Dafa Day. Having benefited from Falun Dafa physically and spiritually, they also sincerely wished their founder, Master Li, a happy birthday.
The event started at 9 a.m. with practitioners doing the Falun Dafa exercises. Many people were drawn to the peaceful and gentle movements and stopped to learn about the practice.
To express their appreciation to Falun Dafa and Master Li, practitioners sang, danced, played musical instruments, and did dragon and lion dances. The Tian Guo Marching Band and waist drum team also performed.
Music Teacher: Peace and Joy
Rob Marrero, a music teacher from New Jersey, said he was deeply touched by the song “Be Saved” that the young students from the Little Lotus Academy sang. He said the song was very beautiful and that it reminded him of childhood, a time of joy and purity.
This was the first time that Marrero had ever heard of Falun Dafa. He said he liked the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and that, at a time when most people are distrustful due to their prejudices, kindness and caring for each other are especially important. He thought these children’s music and talent could play an important role.
Light and Hope
Myles Parker, a museum manager, said many great historical figures and groups were attacked despite their contributions to mankind. In his opinion, if Falun Dafa did not offer physical and spiritual benefits, its practitioners probably would not have come here today. He said it is wrong for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to suppress Falun Dafa especially because of the benefits the practice offers.
Kayla Medi, who is a makeup artist, said she really liked the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She said honesty and sympathy were much needed today and that this sounded like a very good way to live because she was interested in spirituality.
High school teacher Holly Kellum noticed a clear contrast between Falun Dafa’s positive energy and the drizzly day. She said she wished the weather had been better because Falun Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance were very meaningful for our world.
A logistics manager said he was happy to see such positive and peaceful activities despite people’s busy schedules.
A manager of an exhibition centre for human rights, Elysa Rucker found the event very joyful and peaceful. She said everyone in the world, including the people in China, should have their basic human rights protected.
UX Designer: Falun Dafa Makes Me a Better Mother
Lina Zuur, a UX designer, came to the event with her two boys to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and to thank Master Li.
Zuur said she’d always wanted to improve herself through a spiritual practice. Fortunately she heard about Falun Dafa from a friend and learned how practitioners in China were mistreated for their belief, including being tortured and even having their organs harvested against their will. Curious about the actual practice of Falun Dafa, she also began to read Zhuan Falun, Falun Dafa’s main book.
“The practice is very powerful,” Zuur said, recalling that her depression quickly disappeared. Not only that, the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance made her a better mother, and she is now kinder and more patient. She is more willing to listen to her children and is able to look within and has become a better person altogether.
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