(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Chicago gathered at Lincoln Park on May 11, 2024 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and wish their founder, Master Li, a happy birthday. They did the exercises, held celebratory activities, and introduced Falun Dafa to the community.
Practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises.
Practitioners recited “On Dafa,” and then recited Falun Dafa poems. The program included musical instrumental performances, dancing, and singing.
Practitioners sing “Falun Dafa Is Good.”
Young practitioners gave performances to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and wish Master a Happy Birthday.
Many residents and tourists stopped to watch and learn about Falun Dafa, and people cheered and applauded the performances.
People read the display boards and talk to practitioners.
Profound Gratitude
Chicago resident Susan came to the lake shore early in the morning and was attracted by the large, colorful balloons. She said, “These beautiful balloons are so big. One of them flew into the sky and it looked magical and beautiful. And then I saw the beautiful pink lotus, the colors, and it just felt like something that was close to my heart.”
Susan said she was attracted by the beauty and energy to the site where practitioners were celebrating World Falun Dafa Day. “I just wanted to come here and I was drawn to the energy, the beauty, and everything. So, I wanted to learn. As far as in my own life right now, I’m at a place where this is what I need, to cultivate the light within.”
She said she was impressed by Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the principles of Falun Dafa. “We live in a lot of distortions, and we don’t live inside of the truth,” Susan said, “We believe we know what the truth is but we are disconnected, and separated from our essence of who we are.”
When Susan did the Falun Dafa exercises, she said she felt powerful energy. “I feel it’s incredibly powerful because I know that everything is energy. I felt a lot of things, but I feel like the pain is clearing some of the darkness in my body.”
Susan said she felt a huge sense of gratitude, and she was also very grateful to be able to be there today. “I was literally guided here. I never wear a windbreaker, but I wore this. I didn’t know I was going to be standing out in the wind with all of you. I feel like I’m being guided here by the divine and I’m really grateful for that. I’ve waited a long time to come to this plane and I feel like it’s my birthday too.”
Susan thinks the divine guided her to the Falun Dafa activity site.
People Praise Falun Dafa
Chicago resident Jessica Woll thinks Falun Dafa’s principles are beautiful and she is very interested in it. She said, “I support Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, yes, very much!” She wants to learn more.
Jessica Woll
Mrs. Aibiike and her family are from Kyrgyzstan, and now live in Chicago. She said that her country attaches great importance to beautiful traditions, so she strongly supports celebrating World Falun Dafa Day to introduce Falun Dafa to people and raise awareness of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong. She and her family are very fond of the practitioners’ celebration activities.
Mrs. Aibiike and family liked the practitioners’ activities.
Mikael Safa believes that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are great principles, and he’s interested in learning more about Falun Dafa.
Mr. Modev is from Bulgaria and now lives in Chicago. Also coming from a communist country, he said he’s experienced lies, deception, and brainwashing propaganda. He said that the communist regime that persecutes the beautiful practice of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance must be ended.
Mr. Modev said communism must end.
Egon Koopmans, 87, is from Venezuela. He said he and his wife met practitioners in Venezuela, so he was very excited to see Falun Dafa practitioners again. He said that coming from a communist country, he’s very aware of the dangers of communism. It was precisely to stay away from communism that he moved to the U.S. He said that the only way to get rid of communism is to eliminate it, there is no other solution.
Egon Koopmans, 87, was very excited to meet Falun Dafa practitioners.
Practitioner: I hope more and more people can practice Falun Dafa
Ms. Zhang said she was very happy to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Master Li’s birthday with everyone. She said that Falun Dafa has not only brought her physical health but constant joy. She feels happy to have the opportunity to express her gratitude on such a special day.
Ms. Taguan Mai is a Vietnamese-American. She started practicing Falun Dafa in August 2023 after receiving a flyer. She said that she’s always been interested in meditation, and practiced a qigong before, but after she attended the Falun Dafa Nine Day video lectures and read Zhuan Falun she decided to only practice Falun Dafa.
Ms. Mai began to actively tell people about Falun Dafa. During today’s celebration, many people read the information about the practice. Ms. Mai told them how her life took a positive turn after she began practicing.
“I hope more and more people can practice Falun Dafa, which will make the world a better place,” Ms. Mai said.
Many residents and tourists carefully read the truth clarification display boards. Some talked with practitioners to learn the facts, some expressed their desire to learn more about Falun Dafa, and some stayed to watch the performance and celebrate Falun Dafa Day with practitioners.
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