(Minghui.org) May 13^th is World Falun Dafa Day, and practitioners in Montreal gathered at Place D’armes to demonstrate the exercises, tell people about Falun Dafa, and celebrate the 31^st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises during celebrations held at Place D’armes in Montreal on May 13, 2023.

Place D’armes is one of Montreal’s most famous tourist destinations, and many people stroll around the plaza. They were drawn to practitioners’ intriguing exercise movements and Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Many passersby chatted with practitioners and signed the petition to end the persecution.

People talk with practitioners and learn about Falun Dafa.

People sign the petition to help end the persecution.

People read the truth-clarification poster boards.

Business Owner: Falun Dafa Practitioners Are Making the World a Better Place

Rick Stamp (left) and his family were moved by the exercise demonstration.

Business owner Rick Stamp watched practitioners do the exercises and said, “It is beautiful and calm. It makes one feel relaxed.” His wife Diana added, “They are very disciplined.”

Both Rick and Diana condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa. They agreed with Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Diana said, “I absolutely agree with the principles. This is what life should be like. Although I don’t know how to meditate, I like watching them because it makes me feel good.”

After he heard that practicing Falun Dafa shows people how to return to their true nature, Rick said, “Falun Dafa practitioners are doing a good thing. Practitioners are making this chaotic world a better place.”

IT Manager: Society Can’t Do Without the Principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

IT manager Jerry Ball agrees with Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Jerry Ball is an IT manager with over 30 years of experience. When he heard Falun Dafa’s principles are Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, he said, “I support these principles. Due to the rapid decline of moral standards, society cannot do without these principles.”

Jerry taught in a university in China in the 1980s and experienced firsthand the CCP’s harsh rule. He knew about the CCP’s persecution of spirituality and said, “I support you. People should have freedom of belief. I am happy that you are able to persist in your faith.”

Young Practitioner Returns to Cultivation and Finds the True Purpose of Life

Ms. Zhao began practicing Falun Dafa with her mom when she was a child. However, due to CCP’s persecution, she felt she had no choice but to give it up. She feels fortunate she was able to resume practicing last year.

Ms. Zhao said, “My mother started practicing Falun Dafa in 1997. Before she that she was diagnosed with s severe middle ear infection, arthritis, and chronic sinus infections. Even though she had surgery to cure her sinusitis, the condition lingered. After she began practicing Falun Dafa, all her ailments disappeared and she also gained some weight.

“I began practicing Falun Dafa after seeing the positive changes in my mother. But when the CCP launched the nationwide persecution in 1999, my father forbade my mother and me from practicing. I had no choice but to give it up and stopped practicing.”

Ms. Zhao’s mother kept encouraging her to practice. After she came to the U.S., and heard other practitioners’ amazing cultivation stories, Ms. Zhao gradually understood that “The purpose of life is not to fight for personal fame and gain but to become a better person. Only by abiding by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can a person raise their morals. Returning to one’s true self is the reason we’re on this earth.”

She feels fortunate to resume practicing. “I lived an empty life after I stopped practicing and did not know why I was fighting for personal fame and gain. I was not happy at all and felt quite miserable. I no longer fight for petty losses and gains. I began to follow the course of nature and became more carefree after my thoughts changed.” Ms. Zhao wished Master a Happy Birthday and wants to express her gratitude on World Falun Dafa Day.