(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners were once again invited to participate in the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in Silver Spring, Maryland. This is the only Thanksgiving parade in the Washington Metropolitan area. The parade took place on November 22, 2025, with more than 200 groups participating.
When the parade began at 10 a.m., the weather was cloudy with light rain. However, the sun soon came out. Their entry this year included a float and the waist drum team. Two practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises on the float. People applauded and cheered as the waist drummers passed, and some clapped in time to the music. The banners with words: “Falun Dafa” and “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” were greeted by people along the route. Many happily took the brochures handed out by practitioners.
The popular annual event drew tens of thousands of people. TV stations, including ABC 7News and FOX 5 Washington, DC live live-streamed the entire parade.
Falun Dafa practitioners participate in the Thanksgiving Parade.
Spectators take brochures from practitioners.
Falun Dafa practitioners participating in the Thanksgiving Parade.
Parade Host Thanks Practitioners
When the practitioners’ entry passed the podium, one of the hosts said, “Next, let’s watch the serenity brought by Falun Dafa.”
The host introduced them, “Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) is a traditional meditative and self-cultivation practice. It is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It combines gentle exercises and meditation. Through frequent practice, people can improve their health, reduce stress, become energetic, obtain inner peace, and uplift their morals. In 1992, Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Dafa to the public in China. Falun Dafa is now practiced in over 100 countries in the world. Falun Dafa’s literature has been translated into 50 languages.”
The hosts were senior journalists Brian van de Graaff and Eileen Whelan. They thanked practitioners. One said, “Thank you very much for bringing us serenity and peace on this beautiful holiday. Exactly, this world truly needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. So, thank you for helping us become better.”
The parade hosts accepted the little origami lotus flowers from a practitioner.
“We All Need More of These Qualities”
Yeci, who lives in Maryland, said that she agrees with Falun Dafa, “If we can take some time out every day to meditate, and if we can all do that, I think conflicts will be reduced by a lot.”
Yeci thanks practitioners for the lotus flower.
Upon seeing “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” on the pendant, she said, “We all need more of these qualities.
She said she was happy to see Falun Dafa practitioners’ entry in the parade. “I hope they can remind everyone that during this holiday season, everyone needs more of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Whether it is during shopping or time spent with family and friends, they should keep these principles in mind.
Spectators Learn About Falun Dafa
Eli and Allie clapped and cheered when the practitioners’ entry passed. “Great!”
Eli (left) and Allie (right)
This was their first time hearing about Falun Dafa. Upon seeing the banner that read, “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” Eli said, “We need these principles so much. Really, I completely support it.” Allie also agreed.
This was the first time Maryland resident Melissa heard about Falun Dafa. She said, “Our society needs these qualities, because nowadays there is violence everywhere and people lack unity... So we need to be kind to others, which is also being kind to ourselves.”
Melissa said, “It is great to have Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Upon seeing the two practitioners demonstrating the exercises on the float, she said, “Everyone needs to learn this practice, because its good for both mental and physical health.”
This was the first time Andrew heard about Falun Dafa. He said practitioners’ entry is very interesting and that their messages are very positive.
Andrew
He took a brochure from a practitioner and said, “I will definitely read it and see what it says.”
Saneis watched the parade with his daughter. He said his initial feelings of seeing practitioners’ entry were, “Very happy, very good. I feel tranquility and peace.”
Saneis and his daughter.
He said, “We will recommend it to people and let people realize that the world needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
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