World Falun Dafa Day Celebration Held at the National Mall in Washington, DC

(Minghui.org) With May 13, World Falun Dafa Day and Master Li’s birthday, right around the corner, Falun Dafa practitioners celebrated at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on May 3, 2025. They wished Master Li a happy birthday and expressed their appreciation for him.

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was introduced to the public on May 13, 1992, by Master Li. In the 33 years since then, millions of people have benefited from practicing Dafa.

Practitioners held a celebration event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on May 3, 2025, and wished Master Li a happy birthday.

Practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises at the National Mall.

The governor of Maryland, a state adjacent to the U.S. capital in Washington, issued a citation to congratulate the 26th World Falun Dafa Day. Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated, “Because of your [Falun Gong practitioners] demonstration of high integrity and ability, meriting our great trust and respect, we are most pleased to award you the Governor’s Citation in appreciation of your outstanding service to the citizens of this state.”

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland issued a citation.

The Baltimore County government of Maryland also announced on its website that May 13 this year is designated as World Falun Dafa Day to recognize the peaceful and moral teachings of Falun Gong, the spiritual discipline of mind and body. It also pointed out that Falun Gong provides free moral teachings for daily life, including meditation and gentle exercises, which have a (positive) impact on millions of people, including those of our community.

The Baltimore County government declared May 13 World Falun Dafa Day in the county on its website.

Falun Dafa Inspires Divinity

Ms. Zhang has practiced Falun Dafa for nearly 28 years.

Senior biostatistician Ms. Zhang Talan has practiced Falun Dafa for nearly 28 years. She said, “Looking back to when I obtained the Fa in 1997, I was still a young person. During a break from graduate school, I witnessed the amazing changes in my parents after they practiced Falun Dafa, so I started practicing.”

Ms. Zhang said her health has always been great. After practicing, she did not feel any big changes in her body, nor did she develop any supernatural powers. So what motivated her to continue practicing?

She said, “Falun Dafa helped me understand the meaning of life and has pointed me on a path to return to my true self. When I follow the teachings and act according to Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in my life and work, and when I look inward when I encounter problems, it’s like I have a master key, and all my tribulations and conflicts are resolved. My mind has become more open, my family is more harmonious, I’m less concerned about fame and gain at work, and I practice diligently. Cultivation opened up my wisdom, allowing me to do my job better. I feel relaxed and calm physically and mentally. In fact, the benefits to my body and mind are just by-products of the cultivation process. It is like a doctor who cures the cause of a fever, and the fever naturally goes away.

“I treasure the cultivation opportunity that Master has given us. It will soon be Master’s birthday, and I’m so grateful to him that I cannot express it in words. I can only cultivate diligently.”

Practicing Dafa Makes Me Experience an Illness-Free State

Practitioner Dr. Gao Meixia from Maryland started practicing Dafa in 1998.

Ms. Gao Meixia, who lives in Maryland, is a doctor. Ms. Gao said that she began to practice Falun Dafa in August 1998. “I first started practicing Falun Dafa with the thought of healing illness and getting fit. Indeed, practicing Falun Dafa completely eradicated the stomach problems that had troubled me for a long time within a month, and I really experienced the wonderful feeling of being free of illness.”

Dr.. Gao said. “As I practiced more, I realized that Falun Dafa is the fundamental law of the universe, a higher principle and science that is far higher than general science. Healing and fitness are only the beginning. It teaches practitioners to follow the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, improve their moral level, and allow life to truly return to its original nature. Life is no longer confused, and every day is fulfilling and full of hope!”

Dr. Gao has practiced Falun Dafa for nearly 27 years and said, “I am particularly grateful to Master for selflessly spreading Falun Dafa, which has benefited every practitioner so much. I sincerely hope that more people can understand Falun Dafa, practice Falun Dafa, and benefit from it for the rest of their lives.”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Guides Me to Overcome Tribulations

Jisun Bae from Virginia

Ms. Jisun Bae, a Korean Falun Dafa practitioner who lives in Virginia, has practiced Falun Dafa for 24 years.

She was a professional dancer when she was young, but after she had a child, her health deteriorated, and she often sought medical treatment. One day in January 2001, a Chinese medicine practitioner gave her a copy of Zhuan Falun. After reading it, she found it to be a treasure. After only six months of practice, she recovered her health and no longer needed to take medicine.

She said that practicing Falun Dafa not only gave her a healthy body but also helped her overcome many difficulties in her life when she followed the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. She said, “I am really grateful to Master.”

Tourists Learn About Falun Dafa

Roger McClough

Many passersby stopped to watch as practitioners did the exercises.

Roger McCullough, who worked for the New Jersey State Department of Education for 35 years, said that the energy as practitioners did the exercises made him feel peaceful and calm. “I think it’s amazing that they do these exercises with their eyes closed. I can feel that their souls are touched.”

Professor Drue (right) and her friend Lavon (left)

Professor Drue, who teaches at a university in the U.S., and her friend, police officer Lavin, were drawn to the exercise music. Lavin said the concentration and peace as practitioners did the exercises was contagious. He also wanted to sit on the grass, close his eyes, and enjoy a moment of peace.

“I think it’s important people just stop for a while and find that balance in life. Lots of people are distracted now by everything—social media, the Internet, work, and everything else. You’re tied to so many things now. When do you disconnect from them?” said Professor Drue.

She said that practitioners generated peacefulness and tranquility. “Even just walking by, [the energy] forces folks that are walking by to think about their own inner peace. Even if they’re not willing to come and ask questions, or to find out where they can go to practice, I think it’s enough to draw their attention and just for a split second, to be able to reflect on themselves.”

Engineer Peter Cotter from the UK said that everyone should follow Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Peter Cotter (right) and his wife (left)

Elvis, an accountant from New Jersey, explained why he liked Falun Dafa’s values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, “It’s not just about the material level, but also about the emotional and spiritual level. People really need to get away from their daily lives.”