New York City: People from All Walks of Life Learn about Falun Dafa Through Grand Parade

(Minghui.org) May 13 is World Falun Dafa Day. It’s also the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, and this year marks the 33^rd anniversary of the public introduction of the spiritual practice. To celebrate the occasion, Falun Dafa practitioners in New York held their annual grand parade on Friday May 9.

The weather in spring of this year was unpredictable, hot one moment and cold the next. It rained constantly for two weeks and it continued raining the day the parade was held. The event lasted for more than two hours, with a huge contingent stretching several miles, and attracted many onlookers along the route. They expressed admiration for the resilience shown by practitioners, who marched in the rain. Many office workers were in a hurry, but stopped to watch when practitioners marched past, filled with joy, hope and determination. Many people said they were amazed by how beautiful and peaceful the parade was.

Practitioners marched across New York City’s midtown along the busiest section - 42^nd Street, and past some of New York’s most iconic landmarks: the United Nations, Grand Central station, Times Square, and others.

Practitioners held a grand parade in Manhattan on May 9 to celebrate the 33^rd anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa, the 26^th World Falun Dafa Day and Master Li’s birthday.

People from All Walks of Life Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

On May 5, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed the Falun Gong Protection Act. Elected officials from different levels of government in New York sent congratulatory messages to mark the occasion.

Falun Dafa is a high level cultivation practice in the Buddhist tradition and was introduced to the public in China by its founder Master Li on May 13, 1992. Practitioners are guided to refine their moral character through following the highest principles in the universe – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. Since its public introduction, Falun Dafa is now practiced in over 100 countries around the world with hundreds of millions of practitioners; the main text Zhuan Falun has been translated into 50 languages and published in many parts of the world.

Twelve elected New York state officials in New York sent congratulatory messages to the Falun Dafa Association, thanking practitioners for their contribution to the community and wishing the parade a success.

James Sanders Jr, member of the New York State Senate representing the 10^th District, wrote in his letter: “May 13 is World Falun Dafa day, together with everyone, I commend the peaceful principles Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance; Falun Dafa adherents have shown unbelievable courage and perseverance in their spiritual journey; their non-violent and inner self-cultivation will continue to inspire small areas in various parts of the world.”

According to the organizers, “Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day Together” was chosen as the theme of this year’s parade in keeping with the current trend of support for Falun Dafa in the U.S. and all over the world. In particular, “People from all walks of life celebrate Falun Dafa Day” was added to the parade this year with many groups joining in, including practitioners from Minghui.org.

Chinese people living in New York held a banner with the message “We Support Falun Gong” in English and Chinese outside Grand Central Station on 42th Street in Manhattan to show their support.

Chinese people living in New York held a banner showing their support for Falun Dafa.

Practitioners Express Gratitude to Master Li

Practitioners also wished Master Li happy birthday. Some have been practicing Falun Dafa for many years, and they say that words cannot express their gratitude to the founder for the many benefits they have gained through the practice.

Husband and wife, James H. White and Victoria May White from New York have practiced Dafa for over two decades. They said their physical and mental health have improved tremendously from the practice and words cannot describe the gratitude they have for Master Li.

James and Victoria White have practiced Dafa for many years and said words cannot describe the gratitude they have for Master Li.

James is a singer, music creator, and human rights activist. He has won many awards for hix documentaries. He quit school when he was young due to drinking problems and fell to a low point in his life. Falun Dafa helped him get rid of his vices. He returned to school and completed his studies. He said, “Practicing cultivation taught me to reflect on myself when I run into problems instead of complaining about the circumstances. This gave me strength to face challenges and keep improving myself.” He said, “Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for everything Master did for me, my family, and all practitioners in the world.”

His wife Victoria is an actress, and said that when she was 18, a friend told her about Falun Dafa. She was moved after reading Zhuan Falun, and said, “This book spoke right to my heart. I knew this is the truth.” Practicing cultivation helped her maintain inner peace and clarity in her busy life and when she’s under pressure. She found purpose and direction in life. She also expressed her gratitude, “Words cannot express how grateful I am to Master.”

Lily from China works in the finance sector. She is a member of CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and a registered CFP (Chartered Financial Planner). She said she had been searching for the ultimate meaning in life since she was young. She looked for answers in Christianity, Taoism and various philosophies, but only felt enlightened when she found Falun Dafa while studying for her postgraduate degree in California.

Lily (left) who works in the finance sector and her daughter said she found purpose in life after practicing Falun Dafa.

Lily said, “I realized we are here to practice cultivation. After I began practicing Falun Dafa 28 years ago, I know I’m improving every day. I feel my life is meaningful and full of purpose.”

Her husband and daughter also practice cultivation. She said that sharing a common belief has helped strengthen understanding and tolerance among family members, “My family life has become calmer and stronger. To me, this is the greatest blessing.”

Lily participates in the grand rally and parade to celebrate World Falun Dafa day every year. She hopes more people will get to know the benefits of practicing Falun Dafa. She said, “I thank Master for giving us the path to practice cultivation.”

She also expressed concern for the tremendous pressure people in today’s society face and the increasingly serious mental health problems they suffer from. “According to statistics, among those aged 12 and above in America, 13 percent suffer from depression. Falun Dafa can benefit people’s physical and mental health, I hope to share the amazing benefits of this practice with more people.”

People Inspired to Learn Falun Dafa

Many tourists stopped to watch the colorful parade.

Richa Jain is a regulatory affairs manager in a company in Montreal, Canada. She exclaimed after watching the parade, “It was amazing!”

Richa Jain, a regulatory affairs manager, said she wants to learn how to practice Falun Dafa after seeing the parade.

Jain said the movements look easy after seeing the exercise demonstrations in the parade. She is keen to learn the exercises and said that although she’s young, she suffers from health problems such as backaches. She said, “I did not know so many people practice [Falun Dafa]. I heard they have classes in Montreal too, it is free and easy to learn, I want to learn as well. It can help connect mind and body, improve one’s tolerance and make one more sincere.”

She thought it’s important that practitioners are reviving the tradition of spiritual belief. “This is very meaningful. We have forgotten about this somehow, therefore it is great to return to tradition and our kind nature.”

She also said, “Nowadays, people especially those in big cities are very aggressive. Learning this can help them become more peaceful.”

Inbal Binder (right), a tourist from Israel, and Josh Olson (left) who lives in Wisconsin were impressed by the grandeur of the parade.

Inbal Binder said the parade reminded her of the troubles faced by her hometown in Israel. It gave her strength. She was glad to see the parade in New York, “They are very peaceful, polite. I loved it.” She said such spiritual faith is fundamental to humanity and must be upheld.

Josh Olson thought the parade was beautiful, “It is truly moving to see so many people in this activity. People should have freedom of belief. It is indeed wonderful to see so many people come together and it’s very touching.”

Manhattan Residents Express Admiration

Falun Dafa practitioners have held large parades in Manhattan, rain or shine, every year and many New Yorkers who have previously seen the celebrations expressed their admiration.

Samantha, a New York resident who works in a university, has seen the practitioners’ parades for years said, “I’m often astonished by the number of people in this parade! Especially because it was pouring today, yet so many people participated in this activity with enthusiasm. It is truly moving.”

Samantha, a New York resident who has seen Falun Dafa parades many times, was amazed by how grand the contingent was and how it went on despite the heavy rain.

She told the practitioners in the parade, “How beautiful this is, how amazing the flower boat looks!”

Samantha also thought the principles of Falun Dafa, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are worthy of respect, “I think in this secular culture, a faith like Falun Dafa is necessary in today’s society. It helps people connect with the divine and overcome suffering in life.”

Paul, who is a police officer on duty, thought the principles taught by Falun Dafa are “very noble.” He was delighted to see practitioners and said they are “such a perfect, orderly group,” sharing their belief with people and passing on hope.

Brad is a structural engineer working in New York. He saw the parade last year, “I searched online and discovered they are fighting for freedom.” He said, “I thought this is a cause worth supporting. It can also help people become better.”

Marcus, who works at the United Nations, said, “This parade is important. It makes people aware of what is happening.” When asked for his thoughts on the spiritual faith of Falun Dafa practitioners, he said, “This helps people find inner peace and become a better person.”

Ernie Shin, who owns a biotechnology company in New York, said, “This (parade) conveys a great belief and has a positive effect on society, I can feel their pursuit of meaning in life.”

Ernie Shin, who owns a biotechnology company in New York, said Falun Dafa’s principles have a positive effect on society.

Craig Donahue, who owns a winery in Canada, brought his nephew to New York on vacation. He was moved to see the parade go on despite the bad weather. He felt the joy and good spirit of practitioners and said they are, “An organized group, their good nature, peaceful and polite demeanor is pleasing.” “I saw many people smiling and waving, all of them were joyful, I could feel their pride.”

Craig Donahue (left) and his nephew watched the parade while on holiday in New York.

Craig said a spiritual practice like Falun Dafa goes beyond what we know and is more powerful than we think. It has a great impact on today’s society for sure, “even if people stop to think for a moment, they realize many things and this is very important.”