(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held activities at Queensbridge Square in Melbourne’s city center to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the 30^th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction, as well as Master’s birthday.

Practitioners created a greeting card to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, the 30^th Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction, and Master’s Birthday.

A plaque, “Thank you Master” made by a Melbourne practitioner

Practitioners of various ages and from different ethnic backgrounds came together to celebrate this special day with dance and song. They expressed their gratitude to their founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi. Politicians from different parties made speeches and expressed their respect and support for Falun Dafa. Some MPs sent congratulatory letters.

Practitioners gave performances at Queensbridge Square in Melbourne to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Master’s Birthday.

Practitioners gave performances at Queensbridge Square in Melbourne to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Master’s Birthday. Many people were attracted by the beautiful music and colorful costumes, and stopped to watch.

World Falun Dafa Day Celebrates the Universal Values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Huiqiang Fan, director of the Falun Dafa Association Victoria Branch, explained how World Falun Dafa Day came into being in his speech, and explained the significance of this day for practitioners.

He said, “In 2000, Falun Dafa practitioners around the world set May 13 as ‘World Falun Dafa Day’ to celebrate the introduction of the practice and to let more people see the tremendous changes Falun Dafa has brought to tens of millions of practitioners both physically and mentally. On this day each year, Falun Dafa practitioners around the world hold events or parades to celebrate the occasion.”

“It is a celebration of the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance,” he explained, “To be able to witness these values unfolding in the world at large is a privilege. To celebrate this phenomenon and its values is even more precious.”

“World Falun Dafa Day also celebrates the positive contributions Falun Dafa has made to society, especially during the recent COVID-19 lockdowns. Falun Dafa practitioners have actively held meditation classes both online and in parks and gardens throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria which are open to everyone and always free of charge.”

He said that Falun Dafa not only resolved practitioners’ illnesses but also improved their relationships with their families and work colleagues, and they became more selfless members of society.

“In some people’s eyes, Falun Dafa is seen as a political group, an anti-CCP group,” he said, “If it wasn’t for the brutal persecution that practitioners have endured at the hands of the Chinese Communist regime over the past 23 years, we would never have had to do these things. Falun Dafa is in fact a beautiful and peaceful meditation practice.”

Senior Member of the Victorian Legislative Council: Falun Dafa Practitioners are Resilient, Strong, and Positive

Bernie Finn MP, member of the Victorian Legislative Council and whip of the Coalition Legislative Council, made a speech during the event in which he highly praised Falun Dafa practitioners.

He said, “It is always a delight to be with my friends from Falun Dafa because you are just the most remarkable people, and so resilient, so strong, and so positive.”

Bernie Finn MP addresses the event.

He expressed his concern about the treatment of practitioners in China by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “One of the things that we must be very concerned about is the treatment of practitioners in China by the Chinese Communist Party, and the murder that they have undertaken across the board of any number of people who have been practicing Falun Gong for quite some time. It’s appalling. It’s barbaric. It’s disgraceful. The Chinese government stands condemned for its treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners.”

Many people don’t understand why the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa. He explained, “What are they really, the Chinese government? They are bullies. They are scared of the path of peacefulness and then they very violently attempt to stop what Falun Dafa spreads throughout the world, and that’s happiness, that’s peacefulness. Everything that communism is opposed to. So you can understand why they would want to destroy Falun Dafa because it is against everything that they believe in. They’re thugs, murderers.”

The CCP has infiltrated various countries. About this he said, “The Chinese government tentacles run deep across the world, and there aren’t many places you can go to get away from it. So I’m absolutely committed to ensuring that Falun Dafa gets a fair go, a good old-fashioned Aussie fair go here in Australia, but also in China and around the world.”

He thanked the organizer for inviting him to the event. He said, “Hopefully I’ll still be around next year. I wish you all a very, very happy Falun Dafa day.”

Members of Liberal Democrats Northern Victoria: The Values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are Very Welcome in Australia

Tim Quilty and David Limbricks, members of the Liberal Democrats Victoria sent a joint letter to congratulate World Falun Dafa Day.

Letter by Tim Quilty and David Limbrick

In their letter they wrote, “While representing the people of Victoria, it has been our pleasure to meet many good people who are practitioners of Falun Gong. Your stories of overcoming oppression are inspiring, and personify the values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.”

“These values are very welcome in Australia as are practitioners of Falun Gong.”

“We both believe strongly in religious freedom and will fight for your human rights both here in Australia and around the world.”

“We wish you all the best on the anniversary. Happy Falun Dafa Day!”

President of Vietnamese Community Victoria: I Am Part of the Falun Dafa Family

Bon Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese Community Victoria, sent a congratulatory video.

Bon Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese Community Victoria sent his congratulations via video. He said, “This year marks the 30^th anniversary of Falun Dafa establishment. And out of that 30 years, (for) 23 years, it has been severely persecuted by the Chinese Communist Regime.”

He said that he had always considered himself a friend of Falun Dafa practitioners, and supported them.

“When the Falun Dafa (association) organizes any event, any activity, I always attend. And I consider myself to be part of the family (of Falun Dafa).”

He said that he had very good Chinese friends that practiced Falun Dafa. “They are very friendly people. They are the people you want to be friends with.” He said however those kind people are brutally persecuted by the CCP.

He said that the CCP is completely different and is the enemy of kind people. “The CCP is not the same as Chinese people. They are the ones that actually murder their own people. They captured, arrested, and imposed severe persecution on Falun Dafa (practitioners).”

“We can no longer tolerate this. We need to speak up. We need to end this CCP. We need to end this murder regime.” He said, “It is so dangerous. I would like you to work with me and Falun Dafa to end this communist regime. That’s the only way we can uphold and maintain democratic values.”

Deputy Secretary General of the Democratic Alliance: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are With Us

Zhongnan Hu, deputy secretary general of the Democratic Alliance, addressed the event.

Zhongnan Hu, deputy secretary general of the Democratic Alliance, made a speech on behalf of the Democratic Alliance at the event.

He said, “Currently in mainland China, young people don’t have any belief. The morality slides down quickly. People are material-oriented. Under the rule of the CCP totalitarian regime, the freedom of religious belief doesn’t exist.

He stated that in order to maintain the CCP’s power, it has been sabotaging all kinds of religious belief systematically and secretly even though the CCP’s constitution states that people have freedom of belief.

He said, “The CCP persecutes underground Christians, demolishes churches and crosses, builds up concentration camps in Xinjiang to detain the followers of Islam, destroys Buddhism, and changes the temples into money making tools. The CCP tramples the freedom of religions and human rights at will.”

He emphasized, “Falun Dafa practitioners are the most brutally and inhumanly persecuted.”

He said that Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are one of the forces that promote righteousness in society. “Truthfulness asks us to pursue truth. Compassion asks us to be kind people. Forbearance means being peaceful, and non-violent. These are the universal principles.”

“The persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners is still going on. People can see pamphlets that slander Falun Dafa on the streets and in communities in China. Only by ending the CCP dictatorship will freedom of belief truly arrive in China.”

He ended his speech by saying “I hope that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance will be with us forever!”

Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are Universal Values

Many people acknowledged the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Matthew, a young consultant from Britain, came to Melbourne several months ago. He said it was the first time he heard of Falun Dafa. He was happy to learn what Falun Dafa is, and said that the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance were very beautiful.

He was attracted by the colorful costumes, music, and practitioners’ spirit. “I saw the performers are very proud,” he said. When he learned how practitioners used various platforms to expose the persecution, he said, “Falun Dafa practitioners are very brave. They don’t give up despite so many difficulties.”

Raman, from India, and his family

Raman, from India, said that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are basic principles that everyone should follow.

He said, “I and my family members practice Yoga. I have learned today that Falun Dafa is a complete cultivation system to cultivate mind and body and soul. I am very interested in it.”

Dvendra is originally from Nepal.

Devendra, who has lived in Australia for seven years, said, “Although I just heard about Falun Dafa, everyone should comply with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. The world will become more beautiful if people comply with these principles in their daily lives.”