(Minghui.org) May 13th this year marks the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 24th World Falun Dafa Day, which coincides with the 72nd birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa. On May 7, 2023, practitioners in the Washington, D.C. area celebrated this holiday on the oval lawn south of the White House.

Practitioners did the exercises on May 7 as part of their World Falun Dafa Day celebrations in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C., sent a letter of support to commemorate the event.

Baltimore County Executive John A. Olzewalski, Jr. declared May 13, 2023, World Falun Dafa Day in Baltimore County.

Federick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater proclaimed May 13, 2023, World Falun Dafa Day.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart L. Pittman declared May 13, 2023, World Falun Dafa Day.

The Executives of Frederick County, Baltimore County, and Ann Arundel County, near Washington, D.C., declared May 13, 2023, World Falun Dafa Day, to promote the universal values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance through this special day.

Washington Business Advisor: Keeping Fair Dealing in Mind

Business advisor Duane Harper did the exercises with other practitioners on the morning of May 7, near the White House. Harper said he’s practiced Falun Dafa for twenty-two years.

In December 2000, he held the annual African-American Festival Exposition in Washington, D.C., where he met two practitioners who introduced him to Falun Dafa. He soon read Zhuan Falun (Falun Dafa’s main text) from beginning to end, and learned the five exercises. The first time he did the exercises, he said he felt warm and relaxed: “It was a great experience.” 

On the morning of May 7, on the lawn on the south side of the White House, business consultant Duane Harper (front) practices exercises with other Falun Gong practitioners.

Mr. Harper says he follows Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and whenever he encounters conflicts he looks inward. He wishes to be a better person. “I was in the real estate business and wanted to make a lot of money and help my family. Now as a corporate acquisition and business consultant, I am able to keep my mind and heart unmoved when conducting business transactions, whether they are failing or about to succeed. I always keep in mind that I want to deal fairly.”

Harper said that in his daily life, he was careful not to hurt people, not to compete with others, and not to be jealous of anyone.

On the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day, Duane Harper said, “Happy Birthday, Master! Happy Falun Dafa Day!"

Doctor: We Are the Luckiest People

Family physician Tatiana Denning started practicing Falun Dafa five years ago.

Tatiana Denning is a family physician in Virginia. Six years ago, she met a couple from China who told her about Falun Dafa. A year later, she began to practice.

Denning said that in the five years she’s practiced Falun Dafa, she experienced many wonderful things. “My body has been cleaned up many times and my mild asthma, hormonal problems, chronic upper back pain, unresolved chronic insomnia, and gallbladder disease are gone.”

She says her relationship with her family has also improved. “In the past, I sometimes complained about my husband over small things and couldn’t think from his point of view. I also didn’t want to admit that I was wrong, I always thought I knew everything. After practicing Falun Dafa, I changed, and my husband has changed a lot, too.”

Tatiana Denning said, “I would like to thank Master from the bottom of my heart. We are the luckiest people.”

Turkish Elder Has Benefited from Practicing Falun Gong 

Ms. Ilhan Akan, from Turkey, was visiting family in the United States. She was happy to participate in the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations in Washington.

Ms. Ilhan Akan from Turkey wishes Master a happy birthday

In 2005, an English teacher who heard about Falun Dafa in Australia returned to his hometown in Turkey. He contacted Ms. Akan, who produced television programs, and asked her to help introduce Falun Dafa to the people in Turkey. After reading the introduction to Falun Dafa, Ms. Akan decided to practice.

Ms. Akan, 76 years old, said that in the 18 years of practicing Falun Dafa, she has never been sick, has not seen a doctor, has not taken medicine, and is in excellent health.

She said she recently moved to another city in Turkey to introduce Falun Dafa to people there, who never heard of it before. She has also traveled to different countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States many times to share her experiences of practicing Falun Dafa.

Ms. Akan clasped her hands together and said in Chinese: “Hello Master! Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good; Happy Birthday to Master.”

Doctor: Cultivation Has Brought Me a Whole New Life

Mr. Wu, MD, who works at the National Institutes of Health, thanked Master Li Hongzhi.

Mr. Wu began practicing Falun Dafa in Tianjin in December 1997. At the age of 40, he came to the United States on an “Extraordinary Talent” visa and currently works at the National Institutes of Health.

Mr. Wu said, “Before I began practicing, as a doctor, I always wanted to fight for my career. I pursued fame and fortune, thinking that only by competing for the opportunity to rise in education, promote positions, become famous, and earn money would my life be valuable. But every time I calmed down, I always felt that there was no rest. My heart was filled with instability and even pain, and contradiction.

“After practicing Falun Dafa, I learned that only by using the standards of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance of Falun Dafa can I measure right and wrong, good and evil, which makes me fundamentally understand the meaning of life.

“In my work, my purpose is no longer to live a so-called quality of life, but to remove my attachments to fame and fortune, truly be a member of a society that respects others, be a good doctor down-to-earth, and my heart is fulfilled as a cultivator. By practicing in Dafa, I gained a whole new life.”

Mr. Wu said, “On this extraordinary day of May 13, I am even more grateful to our Master.”

Interested in Practicing Falun Dafa

Captain Singh from Vancouver, Canada, never heard about Falun Dafa before. 

Mr. D. J. Singh said he routinely travels to Baltimore to conduct ship inspections. He said it was the first time he heard about Falun Dafa.

He read the leaflet and said, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance resonates in my heart.” He shared his understanding, “Be true to your family, friends, and the world you live in. Compassion, we have goodness, we can be called human, and to be a human being, we should first be kind. To forbear, and to be tolerant, you need to have a strong will and endurance.”

He felt that the fifth exercise, meditation, will bring people inner peace, solve people’s anxiety, and is good for themselves and their environment.

He said, “When the mind is stable, the body will be stable, and it will also bring stability to the society in which you live. Just like the water of a lake, if you throw a stone, it will splash, and if you don’t throw a stone, the lake will be calm.”

Singh said that when he returns to Vancouver, he will practice Falun Dafa 100%.

That afternoon practitioners celebrated World Falun Dafa Day with musical performances, dragon dances, waist drums, and other performances on the oval lawn south of the White House.

Performances on the afternoon of May 7 in Washington, D.C., celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Practitioners participating in the day's activity respectfully wish Master Li a Happy Birthday.