On January 30, 2002, Falun Dafa practitioners in Toronto, Canada organized a successful Chinese New Year Celebration, which attracted over 1,200 people from various walks of life. Practitioners prepared over 200 dishes of delicious food for the guests, and also provided wonderful entertainment consisting of music, dance, a fashion show, skits, etc. The majority of the people that attended the party were Chinese. They were deeply touched by the selfless contributions of Dafa practitioners and their noble behaviour. This completely eliminated many misunderstandings of Dafa caused by Jiang's slanderous propaganda. Some of the attendees have even started to help spread the truth about Falun Gong.

During the event, several touching things happened. We would now like to share a few of these stories with you.

A well-known professor from China is now working in Canada. He is still very influential in the field of academics in Mainland China. Dafa disciples had tried to clarify the truth about Falun Gong to him several times before, but found that he was reluctant to discuss this topic. Each time when we mentioned Falun Gong, he tried to change the subject. However, prior to the Chinese New Year, two Dafa practitioners visited the professor again and were warmly welcomed. The professor and his wife (who is also a professor) were very excited, treating them to delicious dumplings and happily talked about their favourite topics.

In the beginning, one practitioner wanted to change the topic, but upon realizing the importance of patience in clarifying the truth, as well as reflecting compassion, he sincerely discussed the issues raised by the professor. Later on, the professor showed more willingness to listen to the practitioner talk about Dafa. Naturally, the practitioner showed the professor Dafa truth clarifying materials, including the many proclamations and support letters that Dafa has received from around the world. In addition, they explained the story of Western practitioners appealing in Tiananmen Square and some other video shows. The professor was shocked. The practitioner took this opportunity to further explain the truth about Falun Gong.

He then invited them to our Chinese New Year Celebration. Though the professor didn't say yes right away, he didn't reject the invitation as he would have before. On the following day, the practitioner received a phone call from the professor's wife, asking if the practitioner could help them with matchmaking for one of their relatives; that is, to find an outstanding young gentlemen from among our fellow practitioners for the young lady. The practitioner told her that at the upcoming party she would be able to find many outstanding young Falun Gong practitioners. Becoming very excited, the couple gladly accepted the invitation. That evening, they not only met many wonderful young men that practised Falun Gong, but were also inspired by the righteous conduct and open-mindedness of the Falun Gong practitioners. They came to realize the wonder of Falun Dafa. Not long after the New Year Celebration, they started to watch Dafa Lecture videos and to learn the exercises.

One practitioner who had just recently arrived from Mainland China initially didn't agree with using the form of a banquet to clarify the truth, and didn't attend the Christmas party in December that we held. Upon seeing this, one veteran practitioner in Toronto shared his experiences and understandings with her. This practitioner said that at the Christmas party last year, another practitioner's friend experienced a thorough change of heart with respect to Falun Gong. The friend had a lot of misunderstandings before, but at the party, he was deeply impressed by the Dafa practitioners' sincerity in preparing the delicious food and with presenting the wonderful show, and even commented, "I've truly experienced the compassion and truthfulness of Falun Gong practitioners."

After the discussion, the Mainland China practitioner realised that she should wholeheartedly put her time and effort into arranging the Chinese New Year party. She kept her thoughts righteous the entire time, determined to reveal Dafa disciple's compassion and sympathy in saving people. The friends that she invited didn't believe that there could be such good people doing something so wonderful; however, once they arrived at the party, they were deeply touched, and told their friends and relatives in China about how wonderful Dafa is.

A few lawyers in a law firm assisted a practitioner with applying for immigration. However, since the persecution, they have also received many cases from people claiming to be Falun Gong practitioners and applying for refugee status. The lawyers wanted to learn the truth about Falun Gong. So, since last year, practitioners have invited them to attend various Dafa events on several different occasions. Some of them have attended and have come to accept Dafa as a healthy and positive spiritual belief.

Upon hearing the news about this Chinese New Year Celebration, one of the immigration counsels that helped the practitioner with applying for immigration before said, "I'm a supporter of Falun Gong. I'll come, and I'll bring two others to attend your event." He also helped to invite lawyers in this law firm. As a result, almost all of the lawyers in the firm happily came and demonstrated their support for Falun Gong. In addition, they have many Chinese clients to whom they are willing to spread the truth.

City Councillor, Mr. Balkissoon, attended the party. He said a few words of praise for Falun Gong in his greetings to the audience. Afterwards, he told one practitioner, "Your people (Falun Gong practitioners) are really great. You're able to arrange such a big event in such an orderly fashion and you have obtained such a great amount of support from Torontonians over the past 2 years. I feel happy and proud to be with you. Please let me know when your next event will be. I will come again."

This practitioner recalled that when approaching him one year before, he expressed sympathy but was reluctant to offer assistance. Today, he came to step forward by himself in order to show support for Dafa. What a drastic change! He was deeply touched by how righteous and powerful Dafa is. He was also deeply impressed by the practitioners' Truthfulness and Compassion, perceiving that this is the common aspiration of people today. In a democratic nation, a politician must be a person who follows the will of the people.