(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023, was the 31^st anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa by the founder, Master Li. To celebrate the occasion, Falun Dafa practitioners in Spain held several activities in Madrid.

For three weeks in a row, practitioners did the exercises, introduced the spiritual practice, and displayed information regarding the benefits of practicing Falun Dafa in El Parque del Buen Retiro, a renowned tourist destination in downtown Madrid. They also told of its growing popularity worldwide.

Practitioners from throughout Spain held activities in Madrid on World Falun Dafa Day.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises in El Parque del Buen Retiro.

Dressed in bright yellow outfits, practitioners did the exercises to the peaceful music. Tourists were drawn to the music and enjoyed watching the demonstration. Some asked about Falun Dafa and where they could learn the exercises.

Practitioners introduced Falun Dafa to tourists in El Parque del Buen Retiro.

People from All Over the World Find Out the Truth about Falun Dafa

A tourist from South America read the display board about how Falun Dafa spread around the world. He told a practitioner that his mother, who had seen a Shen Yun performance, had told him about Falun Dafa. After hearing about the practice in more detail, he was interested and said he would go to a local practice site back home.

Several female tourists watched the exercises for a long time. One of them picked up a small lotus flower next to the brochures and said how much she like it. She showed it to her companions, who were also charmed. Because there was no one at the table, the woman took out her purse to leave money for the flower, when a practitioner came over and introduced Falun Dafa. They told her they felt a sense of calm when they passed by and did not want to leave. It was a powerful energy and made people feel relaxed. They too said they planned to find local practice sites to learn the exercises when they returned to their home country. The practitioner told them they could learn the exercises online if there was no practice site near them. The practitioner gave everyone a lotus flower before they left.

A young man saw practitioners doing the exercises and came to watch. He said to a practitioner, “I learned this here twice several years back. Later on, I moved to another country due to work and I am back again now. I am delighted to see that you are still here teaching the exercises at no cost. I will definitely come back again after arranging my work schedule.”

A young girl copied practitioners doing the sitting meditation.

A young girl and her mother were on holiday. The child’s attention was caught by practitioners doing the exercises. She stopped in her tracks and watched quietly. Her mother called to her several times, but she refused to leave. Later on she sat next to the practitioners and followed them to do the sitting meditation. She sat there until the music ended before she reluctantly left with her mother.

Practitioners Expressed Gratitude to Master Li

Everyone practitioner has a story about cultivating. On World Falun Dafa Day, they expressed their gratitude to the founder of the cultivation, Master Li.

Ms. Reyes has been cultivating for 18 years. Prior to practicing Dafa, her hands were swollen and painful. It soon spread to her whole arm and she could not lift it. She was unable to work. She went to see doctors and tried all kinds of medication for many years. She also searched for spiritual cultivation ways and tried other things, but kept having health problems.

She noticed huge changes in her husband who had been cultivating Dafa for a year in 2005, so she started to practice. After a month, her arms were fine. She conducted herself according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and the resentment she had for her sister for many years was finally resolved. Her elderly mother saw her changes and was overjoyed. She, too, began to practice Falun Dafa.

This year, Ms. Reyes’ mother is nearly 90 and looks cheerful. Since she started to practice Dafa, her health has improved and she is more tranquil, forgiving, and considerate of others. Despite her age, she still has to take care of her husband who is weak and in poor health. She takes him to the hospital and cooks delicious meals for him daily. She also takes him for walks.

She said if she did not practice Falun Dafa, she would not be able to do all these chores. On top of that, she actively takes part in activities to introduce Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) and raise awareness of the ongoing persecution in China.

On this special day, Ms. Reyes and her mother thanked Master Li for his salvation.

Ms. Reyes and her mother thank Master Li for their good health.

Ms. Pila began to practice Falun Dafa in 2006 and is 74 this year. She used to suffer from health problems such as gastritis and neck and spinal degenerative issues that tormented her constantly. After she began to cultivate, these problems disappeared. Since then, she has been healthy and full of energy. She experienced what it is like to be free of illness.

Ms. Pila said that she would continue to practice Falun Dafa diligently.

For over a decade, Ms. Pila has made it a point to do the exercises and read the teachings daily. She’s never stopped sending righteous thoughts and telling people about the persecution in China. In addition to telling Westerners about the practice, she also goes with a Chinese practitioner to tourist spots and commercial districts where there are many Chinese people. She hands out information to Chinese nationals. Ms. Pila expressed her gratitude to Master Li on Falun Dafa Day. She said she would continue to practice Falun Dafa diligently to repay him.

Ms. Sofia started to practice three years ago. Prior to that, her life and career were smooth sailing. However, one day, she developed problems in her back and legs on the right side. They began to hurt and it got worse. She walked like a cripple. When she went to the hospital, she was given four shots of the best medicine. Yet, it made things worse and her entire back began to hurt. It even affected her left leg. The doctor suggested she try other treatments but they did not work.

She began to look for alternative treatments. Looking back, she described the experience as so painful that she wanted to die countless times, hoping death would bring relief. That was when her friend showed her several youtube videos about the human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party. She saw Falun Gong practitioners expressing gratitude to Master Li.

Ms. Sofia is grateful to Master for the opportunity to practice Falun Dafa.

Ms. Sofia was astonished because when she was in China, she read reports vilifying Falun Gong in the media. She then searched for the Falun Dafa website online to find out more, found a practice site, and began to practice. After a week, she discovered that the pain in her back and legs was gone! The excruciating pain that had plagued her vanished!

She told friends and family of her experience. Now, several family members are practicing. She thinks more people should know how good Falun Dafa is. But because she does not have time to attend group exercises outdoors every day, she found a place where many Chinese people pass by and established a practice site. Every day, she does the exercises, bringing along a display board and fliers. Her wish is that more people can see the beauty of Falun Dafa and not miss the opportunity to give it a try. Ms. Sofia is grateful to Master Li for how she has benefited from practicing Dafa.

David, who is 49 this year, began to practice in 2013. Before that, he was at the lowest point of his life with serious problems with his lumbar disc. No position—standing, sitting, or lying down—could relieve the pain, so he had to move all the time or he would be in unbearable pain.

David: “Words cannot describe how grateful I am to Master Li.”

One day, a friend suggested he search for “qigong” online. He did, and when he tried Falun Gong, he could feel it was different from other qigong schools. He felt relief from his back pain at once.

He thus decided to practice Falun Dafa. From the introduction, he knew it was not an ordinary form of qigong but a cultivation way towards high levels. In the past, the torment of his health problems caused him immense stress. He was depressed and saw no hope, so he often smoked and drank to numb his senses. His relationship with his family became more distant, too.

After practicing Dafa, David was transformed. He became cheerful and optimistic. He loved to communicate with people, and his ties with his family improved. In his own words: “The changes that took place in my body were like day and night. Master gave me all this. Words cannot describe how grateful I am. The only thing I can do is to cultivate well and do the three things to repay Master.”