Toronto Practitioners' Press Statement in Falun Dafa Week

We are proud to celebrate Falun Dafa Week from August 21st to 27th throughout Canada. Not only for us, Falun Dafa practitioners, but also for all Canadians. As the Hon. Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage expressed in her greetings: "Falun Dafa is rooted in ancient Chinese traditions and promotes the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance, which, as Canadians, we all share and appreciate." More significantly, it is really a pleasant and memorable week for all members of Falun Dafa Association of Canada because the practice of Falun Dafa has benefited our neighborhoods and the whole society as well as ourselves both physically and spiritually. Also, we received greetings from the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, who is glad to witness that "the exercises and meditation they practice are more than just techniques they are learning to master: they are the means that allow them to progress and develop as people."

In Canada, an award or recognition from the Governor General is traditionally considered as one of the highest honors one can acquire. Just as our teacher, Mr. Li Hongzhi said in June 1999 when he was awarded by the State of Illinois and when the City of Chicago proclaimed Master Li Hongzhi Day, " A practitioner takes worldly fame lightly. The award has no special meaning to myself; but to Falun Dafa, the meaning of the award is profound. It represents the understanding and recognition of Falun Dafa by people and society." Mr. Li hopes that more kind-hearted people will join us in practicing Falun Dafa, very gentle, peaceful exercises of body and mind. Once again, we would like to pass this message to all Canadians through the mass media, which has made efforts in introducing Falun Dafa to more people in Canada as well as in other parts of the world.

Moreover, Falun Dafa transcends cultural and racial boundaries. It resonates the universal truth to every corner of the earth and bridges the gap between east and west. From our Falun Dafa Week events, we believe that every Canadian will confirm his or her previous impression that Falun Dafa belongs to everyone, every culture, denomination and every nationality in the world. So far, we have received greetings from more than 20 MPs, Senators premiers and city mayors across Canada. In Ontario, the City of Stratford has proclaimed August 19, 2000 as Falun Dafa Day. More remarkably, greetings and best wishes also come from various political parties including MP. Deborah Grey, Leader of the Opposition in the parliament.

We are grateful for all the support and recognition we have received; We are also grateful for all those who help us in all ways and by all means and for those who have signed the petition letters for us. We are encouraged that the international community and the Canadian people in particular have extended increasing aid and assistance for the concerns and human rights of Falun Gong practitioners in China. You might have been aware that one year ago, the Chinese government declared the practice of Falun Gong to be illegal. Since then, thousands of practitioners in China were arrested, beaten and even tortured to death just because they did not want to stop their belief in Falun Dafa. We are lucky to be in Canada, where we enjoy the freedom of belief, and the freedom to organize events like today. Meanwhile, we appeal to the Canadian government and all Canadians for further support of human rights and spiritual freedom for Falun Dafa so that a peaceful way will be found to help practitioners in China to resume their quiet and noble practice, and their goal of becoming better people and better citizens as they follow the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

Thank you.