(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in New Zealand celebrated World Falun Dafa Day with a gathering to express their gratitude and respect to Master Li Hongzhi. This year also marks the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world.

New Zealand Falun Dafa practitioners celebrate Falun Dafa Day!

A Lifelong Search Leading to Falun Dafa

Falun Dafa practitioner Alan and his family celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Alan had a deep interest in Chinese culture, especially when it came to the topics of Chinese Qigong and martial arts. In 2006, he came across the book Zhuan Falun in 2006, when browsing in a bookstore. After reading the introductory chapter Lunyu he concluded, “The author of this book truly knows everything.” This helped him in deciding to practice Falun Dafa.

At that time, his hectic work schedule was causing Alan much anxiety. While Alan remained unsure of how to cultivate in Falun Dafa, he was certain that Dafa could solve all the troubles and questions he had.

Towards the end of 2007, Alan finally obtained a copy of Zhuan Falun. After studying the main book of Falun Dafa, he came to realize the purpose of human life on Earth, and the key to obtaining true happiness.

Alan began applying what he had learned in Zhuan Falun to his real-life problems. In the past, his employer would often ask him to work overtime. This had caused him unhappiness, and soured his relationship with his employer. Now he tries not to harbor resentment, nor does he try to find fault in others, applying tolerance and consideration towards people he interacts with instead. His earlier confused aimlessness over life has vanished, and he now has a purpose for his life.

Alan and his family often tell those they encounter about the goodness of Dafa, hoping that more people will benefit from the practice. On the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day, Allen wishes to thank Master Li for explaining the truth behind the universe and life to the world.

“Be a Good Person and Take Responsibility for Your Own Life”

Cherry, expressing her gratitude for Master Li’s compassion.

Since childhood, Cherry Fang suffered from poor health. Her condition remained poor, despite seeking medical treatment for more than 30 years. Her selfish goal to obtain personal benefits and enjoyment further exacerbated her poor health. She encountered Falun Dafa by chance, and started applying the standards of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in her everyday life in 1999. Her rapid recovery convinced her of the existence of miracles beyond the limits of human medicine.

Through practicing Falun Dafa, Cherry came to realize the importance of moral character development, an area that outweighs any scientific or technological knowledge. Ancient sages had emphasized moral education, because those with good moral character would naturally receive God’s favor, along with benefits such as health, luck and material rewards. Such blessings can only be obtained through improving oneself, and working hard in order to offset the karmic debts owed.

Through cultivation, Cherry realized that being a good person amounts to taking responsibility for her own life. Selfless consideration of others and remaining humble would benefit not only her, but those around her. A formerly selfish person who only sought benefits for herself, she began changing her ways.

Cherry credits Falun Dafa for correcting her formerly self-serving character and restoring her health, allowing her to enjoy a life free of sickness and worries for the last 24 years. Cherry wishes to thank Master Li for giving her the chance to cultivate and become a better person.

“One Cannot Live Without Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”

He Sanpu changed his life’s goals.

He Sanpu, 74 years old, is a university graduate who enjoys good working and living conditions. Before practicing Falun Dafa, he had undergone the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) indoctrination on atheism, pursuit of materialism, principles of evolution and class struggle. However, his life experiences made him question the teachings of Marxism-Leninism, as he found they contradicted reality. For the longest time, he was puzzled over the meaning of life, and the truth exposed by the world.

He Sanpu’s wife had been ill for 10 years, and when her illness worsened at the beginning of 1996, their family fell into despair. At this time, a friend introduced Falun Dafa to them. His family began practicing in an effort to keep fit and to cure his wife’s condition. His wife’s rapid recovery swept away the anxiety and fear that had engulfed their family over the past 10 years.

Falun Dafa taught him the internal causal relationship between good and evil, prompting him to eliminate from his personal principles the poison indoctrinated into him by the CCP. He let go of a number attachments, including human grievances, worldly fame and fortune.

He also came to understand how a person cannot live without Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in life. Falun Dafa awoke his awareness and respect towards Gods and taught him how to become a good person with the goal of ascending towards higher levels. Through Falun Dafa, he discovered the real meaning of life and a bright future.

Since he started cultivating in Falun Dafa, He Sanpu has not spent a cent on medical expenses. Despite his age, he remains in good health both physically and mentally. Falun Dafa has carried him through tough times. Throughout his stint in prison as a prisoner of consciousness by the CCP, or when he was forced to leave home due to the government’s persecution, or when he had been forced to survive overseas by picking discarded vegetables at the wholesale market for a living, he had refused to give up his practice of Falun Dafa and its principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Improve One’s Character, Obtain Naturally without Seeking

Practitioner Liao Qinglian expresses her gratitude for Master’s compassion.

Liao Qinglian, a practitioner from Taiwan, has practiced Falun Gong for over 20 years. Born into a wealthy family, she received a good education and was baptized as a Catholic as a youngster because of her parents’ influence. Despite her resources, answers which could explain the truth behind life continued to elude her.

Before practicing Falun Dafa, Liao Qinglian was unable to bend her waist or do heavy physical lifting because of damage to her lower back nerves. In October 2002, she started practicing Falun Dafa after hearing that the practice was highly effective in curing diseases and keeping a person fit.

At the start, Liao Qinglian found herself unable sit in the single lotus position. She continued trying until she managed to succeed one day, withstanding severe pain to maintain her sitting position for a long time. During that time, she heard a popping sound issue from her spine. Thereafter, a miracle occurred, and her waist was back to normal.

Liao Qinglian gradually began to realize the true meaning of life after reading Zhuan Falun. She began relinquishing her attachments to fame, material gain and human emotions. She cultivated her heart and mind according to the principles of Dafa. With her newfound health, Liao Qinglian takes part in various large-scale events, performing with the marching band, playing the French horn for several hours without any problem.

In response to the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) practitioners, a “Great Wall of Truth” event was organized in the United States in 2004. Many practitioners volunteered their time and effort, carrying banners and displays that clarified the truth about Falun Gong, while petitioning for the rescue of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners. Liao Qinglian and her husband flew to the United States to participate in the event and had the good fortune to meet Master Li Hongzhi in person.

Liao Qinglian expresses her gratitude for Master’s compassion.