(Clearwisdom.net) May 13, 2011, marked the 12^th World Falun Dafa Day and the 60^th birthday of Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa. Falun Gong practitioners from Philadelphia held a celebration on May 15 at Independence Square in front of the Liberty Bell. They demonstrated the exercises, shared cultivation experiences, set up truth-clarifying display boards, handed out informational materials, performed dance and music pieces, exhibited Chinese calligraphy, and taught people how to make paper lotus flowers. Many tourists learned about the beauty of Falun Gong and how it has been embraced around the world.

Practitioners wish Master Li a Happy Birthday.

Group exercises at Independence Square

Studying the display boards.

Learning the exercises

Signing the petition

Practitioners read congratulatory letters from government officials in the greater Philadelphia area.

Mr. Michael Nutter, the mayor of Philadelphia, said in his letter that, on behalf of the city, he supported the practitioners who continuously appeal for their right of belief. He wished them a peaceful Falun Dafa Day and success in the future.

Alex doing the exercises

Alex Luchansky, a 26-year-old Philadelphian, is a computer engineer. He had had respiratory problems since he was four. When he was seven, he developed asthma and had to take a lot of medicine. When it was severe, he had to go to the emergency room. He had tried many alternative and complementary medical treatments, but none of them worked. The doctor told him when he was a teenager that he would have to rely on medicine forever and would have to go to the hospital every now and then. In 2005, his parents introduced him to Falun Gong. He learned the exercises and read the Falun Gong books. He tried to follow the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Very soon his asthma symptoms went away. Since then, he has not had to take any medicine.

Alex said that, when he was little, he often asked himself philosophical questions, such as “Who am I? What is the purpose of life? How can one be a better person” After he started practicing Falun Gong, he found the answers. He also learned many principles, such as always putting others first. He saw obvious changes in himself, not only physical but also mental and spiritual. He said that, in daily life, he has become less anxious, and more compassionate to others.

Alex said that he doesn't have to go to a temple to cultivate Falun Gong. He can stay with his family and do his job. He explained that he cultivates his body and mind and lives a regular life in society, holding himself to a higher moral standard. He said that he has found his path of life and true peace.

A volunteer at the Liberty Bell often sees Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises on the weekends. He also knows about about the persecution in China. He told practitioners that the tourists often ask him if the Liberty Bell can ever be heard these days. This is the answer he gives them: “You hear the Liberty Bell when you can criticize the government or join religious activities without worrying about being arrested. If you want to hear the Liberty Bell, please look outside, look at those Falun Gong practitioners doing their exercises. They are standing on this free land, enjoying their freedom and rights without worrying about being arrested.”

Many tourists talked to practitioners. Some of them had never heard about the persecution and were shocked when they learned how brutal it is. They condemned the Chinese Communist Party and wished practitioners success.

David Gilbey, from Israel, carefully viewed the truth-clarifying materials. He said that it is wrong to suppress people's freedom of belief and that the communist party should not do it. He said that he knew a little of the history of the communist party. He said that he would learn more about Falun Gong on the Internet.

Jim, a businessman from Philadelphia, has a good friend who practices Falun Gong. He came to see the performances. He said that his friend is like an angel, very nice to others. Jim knows about the persecution. He wrote to President Obama and his own congressman, who helped pass House Resolution 605, which called upon the Chinese government to stop the persecution. Jim hopes that more Americans learn the truth about Falun Gong and help to stop the persecution.

Diego from Brazil works in New York. He came to Philadelphia with his parents on vacation. He was shocked by the brutality of the persecution. He pointed to one picture that showed how a practitioner was tortured in China and asked if it was still going on in China. Practitioners told him more about the persecution. Indignant about the persecution, he said that the development of China's economy creates illusions that cover up the communist party's crimes. He said that he would learn more about Falun Gong and see if he could do something to help.

There were many tourists at Independence Square on Sunday, including a lot of Chinese. Practitioners shared their cultivation experiences of how they benefited from Falun Gong through loudspeakers.

Young practitioners from the Minghui School performed the traditional Chinese dances. Practitioners also sang the song “Falun Dafa Is Good.”

Practitioners also showed tourists Chinese calligraphy. Many people asked for the artwork with their names and the Chinese characters for “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”