(Minghui.org) Practitioners held activities in the capital, Dublin, to mark the 33rd anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa and to wish Master Li, the founder of the practice, a happy birthday. They did the exercises, held a parade and a rally, and did a dragon dance.

Practitioners took a group photo to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and to wish their founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, a happy birthday

Practitioners held an event to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

A Chinese Man Praises Falun Dafa

Mr. Du, from China and works in Ireland, passed by the rally and saw the practitioners’ group practice. He was surprised and exclaimed, “Falun Gong!”

He knew about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) in China, and said it was encouraging to see practitioners in Ireland. The scene reminded him of the large-scale group practices in China before 1999 and that, without the persecution, Falun Gong would have continued to spread throughout China.

He talked with a practitioner and learned they follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and that society would improve if everyone followed them. When he saw there were Irish practitioners, he said exclaimed, “Westerners practice Falun Gong!” The practitioner told him that Falun Gong is now practiced over 100 countries by people of all different races and ethnicities.

The practitioner also told him the event was held to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Master Li’s birthday. Mr. Du said, “Happy Birthday, Master Li!”

The Irish Government Should Encourage Its People to Learn Falun Gong

Columba used to live in Australia and said she had attended many Falun Dafa events.

“I think it [Falun Dafa] is fantastic. Meditation is really good for everyone. I think governments should encourage people to meditate, because they can save money on health care.” she said.

Columba, a local resident, supports Falun Dafa.

She encouraged practitioners in China to persevere. “It’s wonderful that you’ve got this fantastic practice embedded in your culture. Don’t let anyone take it away from you. And we support you. We support you 100% from Ireland. And keep doing this beautiful practice. We’re with you all the way.”

Hans and Erica from Germany stopped to watch the rally. Hans said he knew about Falun Dafa as he saw practitioners hold events in Germany to tell people about the persecution.

Hans and Erica encourage practitioners to persevere.

Broim noticed practitioners demonstrate the exercises and raising awareness. He was impressed with the group practice and said, “I think within a busy urban setting, it is wonderful to see people focusing on their inner selves and a world beyond where they are.”

Broim said belief is important.

He said he did meditation for many years, “For me, it just gives me a time to see if whatever you might call my moral compass is still pointing in the right direction.”

Falun Dafa Is Peaceful

Florence from France said after she did the exercises, “It’s very peaceful.” She explained that this was a rare experience. She was very interested in qigong and balancing the energies of yin and yang, and wanted to try meditation, but she was busy running her business and sometimes worked over ten hours. She was actually on her way to Italy on a business trip when the practitioners’ group exercises that caught her attention.

Florence (on the right) learns the Falun Dafa exercises.

“I feel it’s very peaceful. Then your brain is letting go. When your brain lets it go, you find yourself and you never give up,” Florence said. She thanked practitioners and took photos of the display boards on site before she left.

I Will Introduce Falun Dafa to My Friends

“I was telling my friend about Falun Dafa yesterday,” Christy said. “He was asking me about Tai Chi, and I told him about Falun Dafa.”

Christy wishes to tell his friends about Falun Dafa.

He said that he learned the Falun Dafa exercises years ago, “I just love the exercises. I feel alive in that energy.”

Christy said he wanted to go to the practice site and continue doing the exercises. The practitioner gave him the schedule and location. Before he left he asked the practitioner to give him some flyers so that his friends could learn more about Falun Dafa.