Sweden: Practitioners Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Appreciate Master’s Grace

(Minghui.org) May 13, 2025, is the 33rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the birthday of the founder, Master Li Hongzhi. On May 10, Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) practitioners gathered at the Royal Gardens in the capital, Stockholm, to celebrate the occasion and spread the blessings of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the public by practicing the exercises, telling people about Falun Dafa, and giving waist drum performances.

Practitioners held an event at the Royal Gardens in Stockholm on May 10, 2025, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and the birthday of their founder, Master Li Hongzhi.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises.

Practitioners perform the waist drums.

Five members of the Swedish Parliament sent congratulatory letters and messages to practitioners, congratulating them on the 33rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction. They acknowledged practitioners for non-violently resisting the Chinese Communist Party’s 26-year-long persecution of Falun Dafa in China. They wished practitioners a bright and beautiful day in Sweden’s free and peaceful environment.

Pirjo reads a message from a Swedish dignitary to practitioners congratulating them on the 33rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction.

The Royal Gardens were in full bloom and crowded with visitors. Practitioners demonstrated the five Falun Dafa exercises accompanied by the serene music on the lush green lawn. They told people how Falun Dafa was introduced to the world 33 years ago, and shared their joy in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Master Li’s lectures in Sweden. They also expressed their deep gratitude and respect for him.

Thomas tells people about Falun Dafa.

People from Various Ethnic Backgrounds Want to Learn More About Falun Dafa

Drawn by the serene scene as practitioners did the exercises and the lively waist drum performances, many people stopped to take photos or videos with their phones. Some read the display boards; others spoke with practitioners to learn more; and some signed a petition to support practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution.

People learn about Falun Dafa.

People sign the petition to end the persecution.

Many people were interested in Falun Dafa and learned the exercises.

Falun Dafa Graced Sweden

Falun Dafa was introduced to the public by Master Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, on May 13, 1992. Since then, it has spread to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, and is practiced by over 100 million people of various ethnic backgrounds.

Centered on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Falun Dafa emphasizes moral improvement and self-cultivation. Its remarkable health effects have benefited practitioners both mentally and physically.

Sweden is one of the first countries where Falun Dafa was introduced outside China. In April 1995, Master Li was invited to give lectures in Sweden. He held five lectures in cities including Stockholm and Gothenburg, as well as a seven-day lecture series in Gothenburg during the Easter holiday, bringing the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance to Swedish people.

Since then, many Swedish people have begun practicing Falun Dafa and have experienced both physical and mental benefits. They naturally shared it with their friends and families, and through word of mouth, Falun Dafa spread rapidly across Sweden. Today, there are numerous practice sites throughout the country, in cities large and small, as well as online webinars, that teach the exercises free of charge.

Falun Dafa has graced Sweden, and the seeds of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance have taken deep root.

Repaying Master’s Grace By Cultivating as She Did in the Beginning

Dr. Wang, a Chinese medicine practitioner, was the person who invited Master Li to Sweden. A qigong enthusiast, Dr. Wang visited her family in China in the summer of 1994 and talked to Falun Dafa practitioners in Zhongshan Park in Beijing. She later attended Master Li’s lecture series in Jinan that year.

Dr. Wang said she felt as if she was reborn. “The teachings Master gave were exactly what I had been searching for, for many years. After the lectures, I cleared out all the qigong books I collected. I came to understand that only by following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance can I truly become a better person.”

Dr. Wang expresses her gratitude to Master

As soon as she returned to Sweden, Dr. Wang wanted to share with the kindhearted Swedish people the inner peace and tranquility she experienced through practicing Falun Dafa, along with a sense of relaxation and joy she had never had before.

“Falun Dafa is an ancient traditional Chinese cultivation practice that transcends cultural boundaries. It attracted many Swedes who were interested in Eastern culture,” she said.

“Westerners who prefer organic and quiet lifestyles tend to be physically sensitive. Many of them felt that Falun Dafa carries a strong energy that made them feel very comfortable and good. As a result, many expressed great interest in this ancient practice.”

Dr. Wang contacted the Beijing Assistance Center (Research Society) to invite Master Li to give lectures in Sweden. He accepted the invitation and came to Sweden after he gave a lecture in France in March 1995.

Dr. Wang recalled, “It was during Easter in April 1995. About 120 people attended the seven-day lecture series that Master held in Gothenburg. His words and actions, along with the deep compassion and care he showed for every practitioner, left a lasting impression on both Chinese and Western attendees.”

A Grateful Heart

Anna, a preschool teacher, was among those who attended Master Li’s seven-day lecture series in Gothenburg. She feels deeply grateful to have the opportunity to practice Falun Dafa.

“I feel truly fortunate to have met our great and compassionate Master, and to have obtained Dafa. I’ve come to understand the true meaning of life. Practicing Dafa taught me to look inward and cultivate myself. Words cannot express my gratitude to Master and Dafa. The only thing I can do is to cherish Dafa and strive to live up to Master’s expectations,” Anna said.

Anna wishes Master Li a happy birthday and thanks him for his compassion.

Thirty years ago, when Anna heard that Master Li Hongzhi would be coming to Sweden to give lectures, she immediately felt, “My Master is coming.” She said that during the seven-day lecture series, Master talked about many things. She said Master’s voice was gentle and compassionate, and he patiently answered every question.

She said, “During the lectures, Master emitted a pure, crystal-like light, and the energy was incredibly strong. Sitting in that peaceful and pure energy field, I listened to Master’s teachings, with the help of an interpreter, with all my heart. I felt as though my body became transparent. It was extremely comfortable.”

She said Falun Dafa opened up a new world for her. Falun Dafa not only helps her stay healthy, but also teaches her to be a good person, look inward, and cultivate herself when challenges arise.

She said, “The book Zhuan Falun is a treasure that guides people on how to cultivate according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I’ve read this book for over 30 years and will continue to do so, because each time I read it, I gain new insights. It has taught me to be patient, tolerant, and to always look inward.

“I am truly grateful and cherish the opportunity to cultivate and elevate myself in Dafa. In my work and daily life, living by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the only path I’ve chosen in this lifetime.”