Australia: Officials and Community Leaders Commemorate the 26th World Falun Dafa Day (Part 2)

(Minghui.org) May 13, 2025 is the 26^th World Falun Dafa Day and the 33^rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. Parades and rallies were held in each major city to celebrate the occasion around May 13, 2025. Elected officials and community leaders issued proclamations, remarks, and letters to mark the occasion and to commend Falun Dafa for uplifting morals and bringing positive energy to society, benefiting hundreds of millions of people physically and mentally.

(Continued from Part 1)

City Councilors Issue Letters to Commend Falun Gong’s Contribution to the Community

Five Sydney city councilors sent congratulatory letters, including Blacktown Councilor Jess Diaz and Councillor Allan Green, Parramatta Councillor Sameer Pandey and Councillor Judy Greenwood, and Cumberland Councilor Paul Garrard. They praised Falun Gong for its contribution to the physical and mental health, moral development, and cultural diversity of the community.

Letter from Blacktown Councillor Jess Diaz and Councilor Allan Green

Blacktown Councilor Jess Diaz stated in his letter, “I join you all in celebrating this momentous occasion and once again reflect on this movement’s disciplined practice towards a healthy lifestyle.

“Rooted in ancient Chine culture, it promotes health in body and spirit that lifts one’s personal freedom.”

“I am delighted to see that Falun Dafa’s way is a strong contrast to the loud and undisciplined protests and chants and thus more effective in highlighting and spreading the message of peace to the world and in keeping social cohesion and prosperity in Australia, where many of us sought refuge.”

Councilor Allan Green stated in his letter, “The Australian Falun Dafa community and its practices have made a positive contribution to the mental health, the moral state and physical wellbeing of many people in our society.

“I have always found the members of Falun Dafa whom I have met over many years to be people of good character willing to make a positive contribution in our community.”

Letter from Parramatta Councillor Sameer Pandey and Cumberland Councilor Paul Garrard

Parramatta Councilor Sameer Pandey stated in his letter, “As we all know this day celebrates the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public in China in May 1992. The day also recognises contributions of the Falun Dafa community in Australia.

“I am always very supportive of organisations that works with the community to improve health and wellbeing, promotes peace and harmony, provides hope and help and builds moral foundation for the community. I strongly believe that Falun Dafa does this for all of us in our community.

“Millions of followers over many countries is a testament to the good message and practices that Falun Dafa has for the people and the trust people put on Falun Dafa.”

Cumberland Councilor Paul Garrard stated in his letter, “This occasion marks yet another milestone in highlighting the unity of your people against the oppression displayed by a ruthless leadership in China.

“Through your understanding and guidance, I have become aware of the significant sacrifice that your people have undergone to make Australia and the world a better place.

“Today I share your values expressing conviction, understanding and justice to all. I am proud to celebrate this day with you, and I stand in unity against the persecution, which is being displayed in other parts of the world against your people.”

Letter from Parramatta Councillor Judy Greenwood

Parramatta Councilor Judy Greenwood stated in her letter, “I send my personal best wishes for successful celebrations on World Falun Dafa Day.

“I note the 24 - 25 April rallies held by Fala Dafa at Sydney Town Hall and congratulate your movement on your perseverance and compassion in promoting your beliefs and by peacefully clarifying the truth of Falun Dafa persecution in China to the people of Sydney through these rallies.”

Falun Dafa Brought the Most Precious Thing to Australia

Australian federal election candidate Dr. Richard Peppard speaks at the rally in Melbourne, Australia on May 10, 2025, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Neurologist Dr. Richard Peppard is a candidate for federal election, and in his speech at the rally he mentioned that as a candidate for the House of Representatives, he has observed that Falun Dafa practitioners are also defending Australia’s values alongside him. “I am full of empathy and support for your movement, because your faith is being persecuted in China,” he said.

“The three main principles of Falun Dafa, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, are currently being spread all around the world. These principles are sufficient to form the core of any great religion or spiritual movement. This is also the most precious thing that you have brought to this country,” he said.

Falun Dafa Shines With Tenacity Like an Eternal Ray of Hope

Federal election candidate Ganesh Locke addressed the rally in front of Sydney Town Hall to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on May 10, 2025.

“On this milestone occasion and the 33rd anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day, we want to celebrate not only Falun Gong, but also the global movement that has changed the lives of millions of people with the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” said Ganesh Loke, a candidate for the federal election. “Since 1992, when Mr. Li Hongzhi publicly disseminated Falun Dafa, it has transcended national, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.

“In a world often shrouded in pressure, division, hatred, uncertainty, and war, the teachings of Falun Dafa shine with tenacity like an eternal ray of hope.

“I appreciate your courage in fighting injustice in China. It’s really great and commendable. Therefore, I would like to thank every Falun Dafa practitioner for your courage and contribution to the future of humanity, and we look forward to hope, peace, faith, and unity.”

Federal election candidate Courtney Nguyen spoke at the rally in front of Sydney Town Hall to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on May 10, 2025.

Courtney Nguyen, a candidate for the federal election, said, “I fully support the Falun Gong group. Today, we come together to celebrate the value of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, human rights, and freedom.”

Pro-Democracy Leader: I Wish to Walk Side By Side with Falun Dafa Practitioners

Mr. Gao Jian, vice chairman of the China Democratic League and the main person-in-charge of the Melbourne Democracy Movement Alliance (right), speaks at the rally in Melbourne, Australia, on May 10, 2025, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

“When I first met a friend who practices Falun Dafa, I felt a strong sense of closeness inside me,” Mr. Gao Jian said. “They have been persistent in their faith for the past decades in order to persist in their cultivation of the Buddha Fa.”

Mr. Gao Jian also said that Falun Dafa, which is based on the core values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, has spread all over the world, gaining the welcome and respect of people of different countries. “Therefore, I all the more admire Falun Dafa practitioners’ courage and tenacity.

“I support Falun Dafa. I wish to become a friend of the Falun Dafa practitioners,” he said. “I hope that I can also walk with Falun Dafa practitioners side-by-side and be together with them on the path of cultivation.”

Falun Dafa Makes a Great Contribution to Mankind

Dr. Feng Chongyi, a Chinese Studies scholar at the University of Technology Sydney, speaks.

Dr. Feng Chongyi, a Chinese Studies Scholar at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), said, “I am very pleased to participate in the celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the founding of Falun Dafa, and I would like to pay tribute to Falun Dafa. I salute Falun Dafa practitioners!

“Falun Dafa is rooted in the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and its cultivation method of dual cultivation—internal and external [doing the exercises while improving one’s character], is a great contribution to mankind.”

He said, “The official introduction of Falun Dafa in 1992 is a timely and creative response to the bankruptcy of communist ideology in China and around the world, and to the collapse of morality as a whole.”

Dr. Feng expressed appreciation for practitioners’ perseverance and spirit, and said, “Because of your persistence, you use the media to tell the truth. You have used word of mouth to expose the evil nature of the CCP, so that more people around the world can see the essence of the CCP clearly. This is a great contribution of Falun Dafa and its practitioners to mankind. So this effort of yours has also sparked a resurgence of conservatism on a global scale.”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Benefits People

Dawa Sangmo, the Chinese liaison officer of the Central Tibetan Administration-in-Exile Office in Australia

Dawa Sangmo said, “The values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are essential to promoting people’s kindness, which will have a positive impact in this century, so that people will no longer go to war, but will support and care for each other, thus creating harmony within religions and races.

“The close connection between members of the Falun Dafa community is highly valued and has become a model for the wider Australian community. When a practice can spread kindness, it is worth celebrating,” she said.