(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in San Diego gathered at picturesque La Jolla Beach on May 7, 2002, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world. The date, May 13, coincides with their founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi’s birthday. They expressed their infinite gratitude to him and wished Master Li a happy birthday.
Practitioners held activities on May 7, 2022, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction by practicing the exercises at La Jolla beach.
Practitioners took a group photo to celebrate Master Li’s birthday, World Falun Dafa Day and the 30th Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction.
The practitioners’ peaceful group practice, accompanied by the exercise music and the sound of the waves, attracted many people to stop and read the information. Some people picked up leaflets or talked with practitioners. Many people stood in front of the five paintings from the “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibit,” which depicted the stories of Falun Dafa practitioners.
As part of the day’s events, practitioners displayed paintings from the “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibit.” Many people stopped and viewed them.
Some people learned about Falun Dafa for the first time and said they would take the information to learn more. Many others heard of Falun Dafa before and were aware of the CCP’s (Chinese Communist Party) persecution. They expressed their support and sympathy for practitioners by signing the petition to end the persecution.
One man, Michael S., spent a long time studying the paintings and talking with the practitioners. He learned that Falun Dafa is an ancient spiritual practice that focuses on one’s self-cultivation. He said, “I was attracted to these paintings because I am in the process of seeking. During the seeking process, I feel I am a person looking for goodness, so I am naturally attracted to the message of goodness.”
Michael was happy to run into Falun Dafa under what he said were seemingly serendipitous circumstances, “I told myself earlier that I was going to take a good look inside myself and think about how I could improve on a spiritual level this weekend—maybe that was why I chose to walk this way. I’m definitely going online to learn more when I get home.”
He took a flyer, noted the website, and left happily with a copy of the latest issue of Minghui International magazine.
A lady talked with practitioners earlier and left. She happened to pass by at the event as practitioners were getting ready to leave. As they loaded the paintings onto the truck, she asked where she could buy them. She said, “Thank you so much for doing this and giving a voice to those who’ve lost theirs.”
Joe Mailander from Minnesota said, “I feel very good energy from these people (Falun Dafa practitioners). I see them quieting themselves and slowing everything down. They are in a state of tranquility, allowing the energy of the universe to pass through their bodies and communicate with compassion and truth.”
Speaking of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa, Mr. Melander said, “The [Chinese] government should not take away people’s right to believe.” He took some Falun Dafa truth-clarification materials and said, “I will try to bring some of this practice into my life.”
San Diego resident Pablo Fernandez and his wife Melissa went for a walk along the beach and signed the petition to stop the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa.
Mr. Fernandez said, “I have attended Falun Dafa classes before. The practice gives me a sense of peace, and I believe it brings immediate healing and benefits to society. It is too evil for a government to persecute people who practice such a good practice.
“I believe what practitioners are doing is a heroic act, and they are expressing the voice of humanity seeking freedom. Therefore, I thought I should at least sign my name [to express my support].”
A couple from Texas were touring San Diego. When they encountered practitioners celebrating Falun Dafa Day. They signed a petition to stop the CCP’s persecution.
A couple from Texas was walking along La Jolla Beach and noticed the practitioners’ event. The husband, who is in the art collection business, was quite impressed and said, “Today I learned that a part of Falun Dafa has to do with mental activities. Falun Dafa requires practitioners to look within rather than outward to find solutions to problems. I have read the FAQs on the exhibit board carefully and found this practice very good.”
He said, “I had seen Falun Dafa practitioners’ activities before, but I only knew it was a group being persecuted by the CCP and that some of the persecution methods used against them were extremely brutal. Today, after learning what Falun Dafa is, I think the CCP is just too shameful. Practitioners’ persistence over the past 23 years in revealing the truth to everyone outside like this is very good.”
The couple signed their names on the petition form.
In addition to the event at La Jolla Beach, two other long-standing truth-clarification sites continued as usual and also attracted a lot of attention that day.
At the Balboa Park practice site, a gentleman had his photo taken with the truth-clarification banner and encouraged practitioners to continue spreading the truth. A lady from Hong Kong learned about quitting the CCP and said she had once joined the Youth League. She said would declare her withdrawal on the Epoch Times website.
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