(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from Adelaide gathered in Victoria Park to celebrate the coming new year. They wished Master Li Hongzhi, Falun Dafa's founder, a Happy New Year. They did the exercises and raised awareness of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution in Chinatown. They shared their appreciation for Master and talked about how they've applied the guiding principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in their daily lives.

Falun Dafa practitioners in Adelaide sincerely wish Master a happy New Year!

Restaurant Owner Appreciates Dafa

Restaurant owner Biguang Zhang is energetic and works 7 days a week even though he's over 70.

Biguang Zhang, originally from Malaysia, has been managing a restaurant for over 40 years. He gets up before 5:00 a.m. every day and finishes work after 10:30 p.m. He works seven days a week. His customers praise his restaurant and his work ethic.

One of his wife's friends from Singapore visited them at the beginning of 1999 and recommended Falun Dafa. When Mr. Zhang read Zhuan Falun the main book of Falun Dafa's teachings, he found answers to his lifelong questions about the meaning of life and faith. He decided to practice and began going to the practice site in Elder Park.

“I listen to recordings of Master's teachings in the morning while I prepare food and I practice the exercises at noon during the afternoon break,” he said. “I sleep only six hours every day. I'm energetic and happy.”

Mr. Zhang recalled, “I was allergic to flower pollen for many years. I took several medications but nothing helped. I was miserable. By the time I was 50, the top of my head was bald.”

“Just three months after I began practicing, I was amazed to see healthy, black hair growing back! Six months later, my allergy disappeared. The burn scars on my arms from years of working in the kitchen slowly faded. I'm filled with energy. I really didn’t expect life to be so wonderful.”

Seeing the positive changes as a result of practicing Falun Dafa, Mr. Zhang's wife and his friends began to practice. In 2001, Mr. Zhang set up a practice site in Goodwood, and goes there every Sunday morning. He's been offering free classes to the public for 18 years.

He said, “I appreciate Master for letting me understand the true meaning of life.”

Treasuring the Opportunity to Practice Falun Dafa

Jun Zhao goes to Chinatown every weekend and talks to people about the persecution.

Jun Zhao started practicing Falun Dafa in 2009. She said, “My parents started practicing Falun Dafa in 1995. After I saw the positive impact it had on their lives, I read Zhuan Falun. I was very busy working for a company, so I thought I'd wait and start practicing after I retired.”

She later immigrated to Australia. In 2009, when she returned to China to celebrate Chinese New Year with her parents, a piece of exploded firework entered her eye. She immediately remembered, “Falun Dafa is good.” The firework shard disappeared.

That day, she decided to start practicing Falun Dafa. She said, “I almost missed the opportunity to practice Dafa! I'm so fortunate, and I sincerely appreciate Master for saving me!”

She said, “After I began practicing Falun Dafa, my outlook on life changed. I follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in my interactions with others. Whenever a conflict surfaces, I know it's time to look within and adjust myself. I have a good relationship with my boss and colleagues. They know how Dafa is being persecuted in China.”

Ms. Zhao goes to Victoria Square in Chinatown every weekend to practice the exercises and raise awareness of the CCP's persecution.

Guided by the Principles

Kathy Zhang started practicing Falun Dafa when she was only twelve years old. She said, “My parents' health was poor and they constantly took medicine. I was worried about them and afraid that they wouldn't live long. Within months after they began practicing Falun Dafa, they both became healthy. Our home was filled with happiness and peace.”

After she moved to Australia, Kathy began doing the exercises with other practitioners. She has practiced Falun Dafa for 20 years.

Kathy works hard at her job and is praised by her supervisors and colleagues. She said, “They often compliment me and say that I'm different from other young people these days because I always think of others' needs. I tell them that it's because I practice Falun Dafa.”

Kathy summed up her experiences by saying, “Master has done so much for us. My appreciation is beyond words. I will practice more diligently and fulfill my mission.”