(Clearwisdom.net) A lively and energetic health fair was held at a college gymnasium recently in a small Florida town. A local Falun Gong practitioner manned a booth there alone last year, and was overwhelmed by the crowds, so this year plans were made well ahead of time to obtain the assistance of other practitioners, the closest of whom lives 45 miles away. Both the local practitioner and the helping practitioners were excited, as the additional practitioners had recently moved to Florida after leaving China due to the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party.
Falun Gong practitioner from China talking with an attendee
Americans asking questions about Falun Gong
The booth had visual aids, information on the teachings and exercises of Falun Gong, books and videos about China under the tragic and tyrannical rule of the CCP, as well as evidence of the human rights abuses suffered by Falun Gong students in China. The two Chinese practitioners had an opportunity to practice their English and present Falun Gong's cultivation background. Many attendees felt the compassion and tolerance displayed by the practitioners who had given up everything to leave China in order maintain their freedom of belief.
One gentleman, who had been the local practitioner's professor in the subject of Astronomy and Astrophysics, stopped by the booth, and it was an enjoyable reunion. This professor had just taught a course on aviation which had twenty students from mainland China. This led to a lively discussion with the Chinese practitioners, and the professor was proud that his former student was in such interesting company. Another gentleman was teaching a course on Asian Fine Arts. A practitioner informed him about the Shen Yun Performing Arts show and how it presents traditional Chinese culture and moral values on a world wide tour. The instructor wrote down all the information and left to research what he might need to present to his classes.
Of course, the Falun Gong booth had something for everyone and many young children received hand-folded Lotus Flowers attached to bookmarks which said, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." The little girls were told how the Lotus represents purity and were delighted to pick their favorite colored flower. And finally, many people were willing to try a Falun Gong exercise right there as they received a flyer. Nearly everyone commented on how relaxing the exercises are and how beautiful the music is.
So, this year, the "Healthy Living Expo" experienced a more interesting, moving and powerful presentation of Falun Gong cultivation practice, and practitioners had an important chance to tell people about the persecution in China, based on actual experience. The attendees reacted warmly and positively.