Pennsylvania, USA: Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day on Independence Square

(Minghui.org) May 13, 2025, marked the 26th annual World Falun Dafa Day, the founder Li Hongzhi’s birthday, and the 33rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. Falun Dafa practitioners in the Greater Philadelphia area held a rally and celebration on May 18 in Independence Square.

They introduced Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, to tourists by demonstrating and teaching the exercises, setting up display boards, distributing fliers, folding origami lotus flowers, singing songs, sharing cultivation experiences, and demonstrating Chinese calligraphy. They also collected signatures calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution.

Group exercises on Philadelphia’s Independence Square.

At the rally, practitioners read congratulatory remarks and commendations issued by elected officials from the Greater Philadelphia area ahead of World Falun Dafa Day. The remarks praised Falun Dafa for promoting the spiritual values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and affirmed its positive impact on the community.

Officials that issued remarks included: United States Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware; Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes; Pennsylvania Representatives Mary Isaacson, Robert E. Merski, and Mandy Steele; Philadelphia City Council Speaker Kenyatta Johnson; City Councilman Mark Squilla; Allegheny County Council President Patrick J. Catena; and Allegheny County Councilman Bob Macey.

Upon the requests of U.S. senator from Delaware Chris Coons and U.S. Representative for Delaware Sarah McBride, a U.S. flag was flown at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on May 13 in honor of Falun Dafa’s founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, and World Falun Dafa Day.

A U.S. flag was also flown at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on the same day. Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania wrote in a certificate, “I am honored to present you with our Country’s beloved flag, which was flown over the Capitol in Harrisburg on the 13th day of May, 2025.”

Visitors learn about Falun Gong.

People enjoy demonstrations and works of Chinese calligraphy

People sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution

Vice President of a Fortune 500 Company: “Answered My Confusion for Many Years”

Anu Damo speaks at the event.

Anu Damo, a Fortune 500 company's vice president, shared her experiences practicing Falun Dafa. She started practicing Falun Dafa under the influence of her husband. “My husband has practiced Falun Dafa for 10 years. Seeing that he benefited physically and mentally, I also tried to read Zhuan Falun. Unexpectedly, the explanation of the meaning of life in the book answered my confusion for many years,” she said.

“After practicing Falun Dafa, my family has become more harmonious, and I can handle stress at work without getting irritated,” Ms. Damo said.

She recalled that when she was in her thirties, she often thought, “What is the meaning of life?” “Every day, I was busy between family and work, and I began to doubt whether this kind of life was all there was,” she said.

“I found that Falun Dafa teaches people to live according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, and emphasizes looking inward. This taught me to reflect on my shortcomings instead of just complaining about others,” she said.

Ms. Damo said that since she started practicing, she and her husband have become more considerate of each other at home and no longer argue over educating the young or household trivia. “We can now communicate peacefully. We also study the Fa together and share experiences,” she said.

She said that she has also benefited a lot in the workplace. As a vice president of a Fortune 500 company, she used to experience mood swings due to stress, but after practicing Falun Dafa, she said, “I learned to treat my colleagues with kindness and stay calm even when facing conflicts.”

“I thank Master for letting me obtain the Fa. I will practice more diligently and become a better person,” she said.

Software Engineer: “Our Whole Family Has Benefited From It”

Santosh speaks at the event.

Software engineer Santosh shared his experience of recovering from illness and how Falun Dafa changed his life.

“I was born in southern India and immigrated to the United States in 2005. Although I had a successful career and a happy family, in 2015 I got a disease that even doctors couldn’t explain,” Santosh recalled. He said at one stage he fell into depression and despair.

A colleague recommended Falun Dafa to him and mentioned that it was a practice centered on “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.” Out of curiosity, Santosh began to read Falun Gong’s main book Zhuan Falun, and learned the exercises.

“I persisted in practicing the exercises and studying the Fa. After just a few weeks, my health improved significantly. Later, I even recovered completely,” he said. “I felt energetic and renewed. My family and colleagues were all amazed at the huge changes in my personality.”

He emphasized that practicing Falun Gong not only helped him recover physically, but more importantly, helped him to elevate spiritually. “I began to treat others with kindness, and I’m able to remain calm and tolerant when I encounter difficulties,” he said.

Santosh’s mother, aunt, and grandmother have also started practicing Falun Gong. “Our whole family has benefited from it. I am very grateful to Master Li Hongzhi for teaching this practice,” he said.

Finally, Santosh expressed his wish: “I hope more people can understand the wonders of Falun Dafa, and I hope the CCP will stop persecuting Falun Gong.”

IT Manager: “True Elevation of My Inner Self”

Alex speaks at the event.

Before practicing Falun Dafa, Alex, an IT manager, had severe asthma and dental problems, and often felt weak.

“I first came into contact with Falun Gong in 2003, when I was a teenager with poor health and a rebellious personality,” Alex recalled.

His father suggested that he try to meditate and practice Falun Gong. At first, Alex just followed along with the exercises and listened to the teachings with a try-it attitude. Unexpectedly, a few months later, his health improved significantly. “My asthma was gone. I didn’t need to take medicine anymore. I felt much more energetic,” he said.

He said that practicing Falun Dafa also helped him get rid of many bad habits, such as smoking, drinking, and staying up late. “Over the years, I have become more self-disciplined and more caring about others,” he said.

Alex said that what touched him the most was “looking inward” and the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” taught by Falun Dafa. “Everyone makes mistakes, and the key is to reflect on yourself and constantly improve yourself,” he said.

Now, Alex has been practicing for 20 years. He said that his greatest enlightenment is: “Practicing Falun Dafa is for the true elevation of my inner self.”

He said that his greatest wish is to let more people know about the wonders of Falun Dafa. “I have gained so much, and I should share it. If everyone can live according to ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,’ society will become better.”

Teacher from China Adheres to Kindness After Suffering Persecution

Ms. Han, a teacher from mainland China, recalled that she used to be in very poor health before she practiced Falun Dafa. “When I had a severe headache, I couldn’t do anything,” she said, “When I was a graduate student in China, I was under great pressure, suffered from neurasthenia, and had trouble sleeping.” She said that at that time, if she studied for a little longer, she would find it unbearable.

A female friend who was younger than her at school introduced Falun Gong to her. “After practicing Falun Gong, all my illnesses disappeared quickly, and I felt relaxed,” she recalled.

More importantly, Falun Gong teaches people to live according to “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” which allowed her to learn calmness and tenacity during her stressful academic work. She graduated with excellent grades and successfully stayed on to teach at the school.

However, fate soon changed. Ms. Han said, “One year after completing graduate school, the CCP began to suppress Falun Gong. Although my colleagues all knew that I was capable at work and responsible for my students, I was still fired from my teaching position.” She was imprisoned in labor camps and brainwashing classes many times.

“It is really not easy to stick to faith in that environment, but I have no complaints or regrets,” she said firmly. She came to the United States for the freedom of belief.

She is a Chinese teacher in a public school in the United States. “I teach Chinese, so I introduce traditional Chinese culture to students and teach them to use the principles of ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance’ to conduct themselves in society.” Ms. Han said that she is dedicated to her work, treats every student well, and has won the admiration of her students.

People Support Falun Gong

The celebration attracted many visitors, and many people expressed admiration for Falun Gong practitioners’ persistence in their faith and signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

After seeing the spectacular scene of Falun Gong practitioners practicing the exercises, Ms. He stopped to look at the display boards. “Why are there so many of you here doing activities?” Ms. He asked.

After the practitioner explained why they were celebrating, Ms. He learned that Falun Gong is a high-level cultivation practice of the Buddha School, with “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” as its guiding principles, and has been brutally suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party since 1999.

“When I left China as a child, I only heard about Falun Gong, but I didn’t know much about it, and I didn’t know there was a persecution,” she said. She said that she is very interested in Falun Gong and had no idea about the CCP’s suppression in the past.

She said that revealing the truth in a historic place like the Liberty Bell is “very meaningful” and “can allow tourists from all over the world to know about these truths.”

Ms. He said that she planned to search for more information online to learn more about Falun Gong. “I am a person who likes to pursue the truth,” she said.

“Pray for These Kind People to Gain Freedom”

Consultant Lazarus Long expressed his support and admiration for Falun Gong practitioners’ long-term peaceful resistance to the persecution.

“I believe people should have freedom of belief,” Mr. Long said. “As long as it is not against the law, it should not be suppressed. It is wrong to be persecuted just because of your belief. I am glad that they can practice freely in the United States.”

He found Falun Gong practitioners’ activities of clarifying the facts in front of the Liberty Bell very meaningful. “This place symbolizes freedom and people’s right to self-determination. It is very appropriate for them to seek the same freedom here.”

He said he hopes that tourists from all over the world can learn the truth through this. “I will pray for the day when the CCP collapses, and also pray for these kind people to gain freedom,” he said.

Mr. Long said that Falun Gong practitioners’ continuous efforts in clarifying the facts for more than 20 years “show the power of their faith. This is not on a whim, but a part of their lives. They educate others in a peaceful way, which is very admirable,” he said.