(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023, was the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 24th World Falun Dafa Day. It was also the birthday of its founder Master Li Hongzhi. Practitioners in Edmonton held events to celebrate this occasion by doing group exercises, playing the waist drums, and talking to people about Falun Dafa in Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park on May 13, 2023.
The melodic and soothing music and the graceful exercise movements attracted many passersby. They stopped to read the banners that said “Happy Birthday to Master,” “Celebrating 5.13 World Falun Dafa Day,” “Falun Dafa Is Good,” and so on. They talked to practitioners to learn more about Falun Dafa.
Many people thanked practitioners for introducing Falun Dafa to the local community. Some signed the petition to express their support, some said they would pass on the information to their friends and relatives, while others wanted to learn the exercises and asked about how to practice.
Practitioners do the exercises to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on May 13.
Practitioners played the waist drums and wished Master Li a Happy Birthday.
Passersby signed the petition to express their support.
New Practitioners Thank Master Li
Ava said she searched for the meaning of life for years. She read many books on cultivation but could not find the answer until she came across Falun Dafa’s main text, Zhuan Falun, in a library in Poland in 2014. Ava said, “I was shocked when I finished reading Zhuan Falun for the first time. I felt that I had become a new person. I knew that everything about me would never be the same again. When I read the book a second time, I knew I had finally found the answer to why I came to this world. My mind and body felt lighter than ever, and I felt like the happiest person in the world.”
Ava went through many difficulties after she came to Canada in 2015. She said, “In the midst of the hardships, I realized it was time to let go of those emotions and attachments. I knew that Master was watching over me, and I had to face these hurdles and difficulties head-on to break through them.”
She remembered talking to a friend she hadn’t seen in a long time, who said she had changed so much. Ava told her friend that if she had not practiced Falun Dafa, she would never have been able to change herself and become a better person.
On World Falun Dafa Day, Ava said with gratitude, “I am grateful to Master Li for not giving up on me, for constantly enlightening me, and for allowing me to improve again and again. I will try to eliminate my attachments and become a better person.”
Maggie started to practice during the pandemic. She used to believe the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) propaganda that discredited and slandered Falun Dafa. Therefore, she had misunderstandings about Falun Dafa and didn’t want to listen to what practitioners in different cities were trying to tell her.
She later learned more about Dafa on the Internet. After listening to Master Li’s Lectures in Guangzhou, she found the answers that she couldn’t find elsewhere. She was deeply impressed by Dafa’s teachings. Maggie learned to do the exercises by following the videos on the website and she experienced for herself just how wonderful the practice is.
“At first, I didn’t know what cultivation was. Now I know that, as a practitioner, I have to live up to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance at all times and I need to improve my character,” she said.
Minnan said that for as long as she could remember she often felt cold and had a low fever. A herniated disc once paralyzed her, and she could not lift anything after surgery. She also suffered from headaches and constipation. She never knew what it was like not to be sick.
She learned about Falun Dafa online and started to practice it. In just two months, all her ailments disappeared. With tears of gratitude, Minnan said, “Happy Birthday, Master! I am grateful for your compassionate salvation from the bottom of my heart!”
Officials Commend Falun Dafa
The City of Edmonton celebrated World Falun Dafa Day by lighting up the High-Level Bridge, a century-old landmark in Edmonton, on May 1, 2023. Edmonton MP Ziad Aboultaif sent a congratulatory letter.
MP Ziad Aboultaif’s letter of congratulations for Falun Dafa Day
In his letter, Ziad Aboultaif, MP, wrote, “Thank you for your contributions to Canadian society. The guiding principles of Falun Dafa, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are three of the strongest values of our Canadian society, ones that we all aspire to.”
He also wrote, “The Falun Dafa community has discovered that self-improvement is not only desirable but possible. Many of those who follow this spiritual discipline feel that it has been life changing. Indeed, so certain are its followers as to its benefits that they adhere to it despite government persecution in China, its country of origin.”
MP Michael Cooper, who represents Edmonton, sent a congratulatory letter.
MP Michael Cooper wrote, “In the face of persecution by the Chinese Communist regime, Falun Dafa practitioners have continued to walk in a faith that promotes the universal principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I admire the courage and determination of Falun Dafa practitioners who continue to peacefully practice their faith in the face of adversity and opposition.”
He said he would continue to work with the Falun Dafa community to promote “our common values and help shine light on serious human rights abuses that Falun Dafa practitioners continue to endure.” And, “I am confident that the goodness of the Falun Dafa will prevail over the forces of oppression and persecution in the end.”
MP Dane Lloyd sent a congratulatory letter.
Dane Lloyd. MP of Sturgeon River-Parkland wished practitioners a happy Falun Dafa Day.
He noted that, in a world where religious persecution was on the rise, “now more than ever, it’s important that we come together and stand firm against the totalitarian regimes that seek to outlaw freedom of religion.” He said he was proud to stand in solidarity with those being suppressed in China and join all Canadians in their commitment to stand up to tyranny worldwide. “I will always fight to preserve freedom, truth, and justice at home and around the globe.”
MP Chris Warkentin sent greetings for Falun Dafa Day.
Chris Warkentin, MP of Grande Prairie-Machenzie sent practitioners his best wishes on World Falun Dafa Day.
He wrote, “The guiding principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are important qualities of all of us.” He also congratulated all the volunteers who helped make the day possible.
Gerald S. Aalbers, Mayor of Lloydminster, sent greetings on behalf of the city.
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers extended his congratulations on Falun Dafa Day and praised the teachings and principles of Falun Dafa. He expressed his respect for Falun Dafa practitioners for their commitment to upholding the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and thanked Falun Dafa for its contributions to the community.
All content published on this website is copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
