(Minghui.org) As World Falun Dafa Day approached on May 13, 2026, Falun Gong practitioners across Australia and New Zealand expressed deep gratitude to compassionate Master for spreading the Fa, which has enabled practitioners in over 100 countries and regions around the world to elevate their moral character and attain good health.

Thank You, Master, for Giving Us the Opportunity to Cultivate

On May 7, 2026, Abhi (far left) participated in the parade in downtown Sydney to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Abhi, a Falun Gong practitioner, joined the parade in downtown Sydney on May 7 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. When asked how he became a practitioner, Abhi described three signs he received. “Ten years ago, I was walking past the Chinese Consulate in Sydney and saw Falun Gong practitioners meditating on the opposite side of the street. I’m from India, where there are many spiritual practices, but I never imagined that Chinese people practiced too.”

“I noticed one of the Falun Gong practitioners meditating there, sitting cross-legged on the ground, and that piqued my interest. I don’t usually approach strangers, but I went up to him. He pointed to a woman standing nearby, who gave me an introductory flyer and asked if I would sign the petition. As I walked back to my car, I saw a Chinese couple coming out of the consulate. They noticed the flyer in my hand and said, ‘Oh, this practice is wonderful!’ That was my first experience.”

“Then something similar happened that same day. I parked my car near the airport, and there were five or six cars in front of me. One of them was a large taxi with a sign saying, ‘Falun Dafa is good!’ That was the second incident. The third occurred the following morning while I was taking a walk in the Eastwood area, where I was living at the time. I saw several practitioners doing the exercises, so I asked them about it, and they said I could join.” And so, from that day on, Abhi began practicing Falun Gong.

After starting to practice, Abhi’s back pain went away. “I used to have back pain all the time. I remember I was practicing the second exercise at home when suddenly it felt like something fell off my back, but I couldn’t see anything. After that, there was no more back pain.”

Falun Dafa teaches people Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Abhi said, “When I was a child, I was innocent and honest. My family members always taught me that I needed to be ‘smart’ to survive in this world. I felt that, by nature, I simply couldn’t be that way. Instead—just as Master teaches—people should be honest, kind, and tolerant. Honesty resonates deeply with my character. However, truly living by these principles is not easy; there are many challenges and I need to make constant effort and practice in daily life.”

Talking about World Falun Dafa Day, Abhi said, “I am grateful to Master! It is an honor to stand here and participate in this event to promote Dafa. Falun Gong practitioners in mainland China rarely have such opportunities, so I make every effort to attend. Thank you, Master!”

Grateful for Master’s Grace—Upholding Faith for Over Two Decades

New Zealand Falun Gong practitioner Jin Yi

Jin Yi, a Falun Gong practitioner in New Zealand, is 82 years old. In May 1999, she had the privilege of attending Master’s lectures in New Zealand and, together with her husband, personally saw Master. That moment remains deeply etched in her heart to this day. From that day forward, the couple officially embarked on the path of Falun Dafa cultivation.

Looking back on over 20 years of cultivation, Ms. Yi’s heart is filled with boundless gratitude. From her initial understanding of the Fa principles to holding herself to the standard of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in daily life, she has gradually come to realize that cultivation is not achieved overnight, but rather through constant refinement and elevation in the day to day details.

Whenever she encounters conflicts or trials, she is able to look inward and reflect on herself, gradually letting go of various attachments, and her character has subtly elevated in the process.

Physically, Ms. Yi has truly felt the changes brought about by her practice; she is full of energy and feels at ease both mentally and physically, which has given her a deep appreciation for the magnificence and wonder of Falun Dafa. On a spiritual level, she has gained an unprecedented sense of peace and resolve, enabling her to face life’s ups and downs with greater composure and rationality.

Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began persecuting Falun Gong in July 1999, Ms. Yi and other local practitioners in New Zealand have gathered daily in front of the Chinese Consulate in Auckland to peacefully share the facts and call for an end to the persecution.

Rain or shine, in scorching heat or freezing cold, they have remained steadfast. Over the past two decades, they have built many positive connections, helping many New Zealanders understand the truth and gradually changing the views of some consulate staff regarding Falun Gong.

One of the staff members was deeply moved by the view through the lobby windows of elderly Falun Gong practitioners, standing peacefully and practicing the exercises outside the consulate, whatever the weather.

Eventually, he mustered the courage to leave the consulate and apply for asylum in New Zealand. He recalled that every time he entered or left the consulate, an elderly practitioner would always greet him with a smile, saying, “Hello, good morning.” That sense of peace and kindness left a lasting impression on him.

Looking back on those days when Ms. Yi saw her Master in person, she cherishes that opportunity above everything. While following this path, she has come to appreciate her Master’s compassion and protection even more deeply, and has gained a clearer understanding of the seriousness and responsibility involved in cultivation.

No matter how circumstances may change, Ms. Yi has always maintained righteous thoughts and actions—a commitment that serves not only as a requirement for her own cultivation but also as the most fundamental expression of her cherishing of, and gratitude toward Dafa.

Talking about the path ahead, Ms. Yi expressed her resolve to be even more diligent, to carry out every task with steadfast dedication, to cultivate herself well in her daily life, and to live up to this rare and precious opportunity.

On the occasion of Falun Dafa Day, she wished to express her deepest gratitude and respect to Master.

Gratitude to Master: Gaining the Fa and a New Life Overnight

Mr. and Mrs. Xu expressed their gratitude toward Master, saying, “It is impossible to convey in words all that Master has bestowed upon us. We can only offer our deepest gratitude to Master, respectfully thank him for his benevolence, and respectfully wish the Master a Happy Birthday.”

Mr. Xu, who is 87 this year, and Mrs. Xu, who is 83, are practitioners in Brisbane, Australia, who began cultivating in 1997. Recalling her life before becoming a practitioner, Mrs. Xu said, “At the time, I was enduring the immense pain of losing my son, and I also suffered from severe migraines. I was tormented by pain to the point where life felt worse than death. Just when I felt I had reached a dead end, a neighbor introduced me to Falun Gong. I gladly agreed, and have been practicing ever since—for 29 years now.”

She also recalled, “Every time I finished practicing the exercises, I felt a sense of lightness. This change strengthened my resolve to cultivate Dafa. My husband and I studied the Fa and practiced the exercises every day. Before long, I noticed that my migraines had disappeared. I was deeply moved; I knew that Master had saved me, and my gratitude toward Master is beyond words.”

Filled with gratitude toward Master, the couple actively went out to promote the Fa. They hoped to introduce more people with a predestined connection to the practice, so that others might benefit from it as well. Several friends began practicing Falun Dafa through their introduction and continue to do so to this day.

To expose the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong and to help the local public gain a deeper understanding of the regime’s evil nature, Mr. and Mrs. Xu—along with other Falun Gong practitioners—went to Brisbane’s bustling city center to clarify the truth, distribute informational materials, and display photographs.

While clarifying the truth, they encountered many people, including many kindhearted individuals who, after seeing the materials and display boards, were overcome by tears, and stepped forward to sign the petition.

They also met people who were unaware of the truth; some didn’t understand at first, but came to support the cause after hearing the facts. Mrs. Xu said, “One morning, an elderly Chinese man walked by and started cursing loudly after seeing our ‘Nine Commentaries’ display boards. We continued to explain the truth to him with kindness and gave him a copy of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party along with some informational materials.

“He took them very reluctantly and left. The following week, he reappeared at the information booth. Unlike last time, he didn’t shout insults; instead, he carefully read through the display boards again and then quietly left. It was clear that he had come to understand the truth.”

Mr. Xu also shared, “On one occasion, someone filed a complaint with the police department, alleging that we were illegally obstructing the street. Several police officers arrived. We showed them the permit issued by the municipal government and explained the truth to them. After reviewing it, the officers said our activities could continue.”

“Shortly after, a fashionably dressed woman came over to sign the petition in support. She asked, ‘Do you recognize me?’ It turned out she was the female officer who had responded to the complaint and visited us earlier; clearly, the incident had helped her understand the truth. Afterward, we went to the police headquarters to further explain the truth and left informational materials, including the English version of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. They immediately agreed to inform other police stations not to disturb us during our truth-clarification activities.”

Mr. and Mrs. Xu said that they recognize everyone in the world has a kind and discerning side, but the CCP’s lies have misled many kindhearted people. It is especially important to help people choose kindness by telling them the facts. “We also recognize the urgency of saving sentient beings; every second counts, and we must do our best.” To this day, they go to the city center twice a week to talk to people and collect signatures.

Talking about World Falun Dafa Day, they expressed their gratitude to Master, saying: “We thank Master for spreading the Fa, which has freed us from the hardships of life, brought us greater inner peace, and helped us understand how to embody Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in our daily lives, to be good people, and to cultivate and elevate ourselves. Words cannot express our gratitude for all that Master has given us; we can only express our deepest gratitude and respect for Master!”