Global Celebration of World Falun Dafa Day Throughout the Month of May

(Minghui.org) This May 13 marked the 26th World Falun Dafa Day and the 33rd anniversary of the public introduction of the practice in China. The day coincides with the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa. Practitioners around the world celebrated the day in various ways throughout the month of May, and praised the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Background

In May 2000, Minghui.org announced that May 13, 2000 would be the first World Falun Dafa Day. The day commemorates Falun Dafa’s introduction and helps more people around the world know about the practice. It’s also an opportunity to help people know about the persecution so that practitioners in Mainland China can regain their right to freedom of belief as guaranteed by law. Minghui.org suggested that World Falun Dafa Day be celebrated on May 13th every year by Falun Dafa practitioners and kindhearted people worldwide.

Practitioners in China submit thousands of greeting cards, articles, and stories to Minghui.org every year around this special day despite the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Internet blockade. This year is no exception. Since May 6th, Minghui.org has received letters from practitioners in 31 provinces and regions, including those who work in 63 occupational systems and industries. They submitted greeting cards, stories, poems, videos, calligraphy, paintings and other artistic creations.

New practitioners in China, their friends and families, and non-practitioners also sent messages to Minghui.org. They described how they improved physically and mentally because of Falun Dafa, and expressed their gratitude to Master Li. People of all ages and from all walks of life, used their words and artwork to celebrate this special day. They sincerely wished Master Li a happy birthday.

Young Practitioners from the Higher Education System

There were greetings that came from practitioners studying in universities in China.

A practitioner who is studying at a university in Heilongjiang Province wrote, “I am grateful to have learned the Fa after I was born. Thanks to Master, I walked on the right path as I grew up. Now I have no bad habits and am in good health. With confidence and hope for the future, I will follow the teachings of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance after I graduate, and contribute positively to society.”

In a letter, a practitioner who studies in a university in Nanjing wrote, “As the world celebrates World Falun Dafa Day, Falun Dafa practitioners who are in the higher education system would like to express our gratitude to Master for his compassionate salvation.”

Greeting card from practitioners in universities in Shandong Province

People in the Government and Military Systems

Practitioners who work in the judicial, prosecutorial and legal systems, as well as the military, also sent in greetings.

A judge wrote, “In my 30 years of being tempered in Dafa cultivation, every step of my improvement and elevation is indispensable of Master’s compassion and care. No words can express my boundless gratitude to Master. I can only cultivate myself more diligently, study the Fa well, save more people and be a qualified Fa-rectification period Dafa practitioner.”

The greeting card sent by a judge in China

Practitioners on an air force base in Beijing wrote, “On the day when everyone celebrates Falun Dafa, we sincerely wish Master a happy birthday. Despite the Chinese Communist Party persecution, we firmly believe in Master and the Fa, and will do the three things well to save more people. Please be assured, Master.”

Card sent by practitioners from an air force base in Beijing

A practitioner from a military base in Haidian District, Beijing wrote, “I wish Revered Master a happy birthday, and send congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day. Master has given me everything, and I can never return his immense compassion. I will follow the teachings and assimilate to the Fa principles.”

Card sent by a practitioner from a military base in Haidian District, Beijing

Card sent by a lawyer in Northeast China

A human rights lawyer from Northeast China wrote, “As a human rights lawyer in Mainland China, it is my honor to be able to defend the innocence of Falun Dafa practitioners who are persecuted by the CCP. I see hope in Falun Dafa practitioners. In today’s China under the CCP, morality is declining quickly. Falun Dafa practitioners’ kindness, tolerance, and selflessness in the face of life and death have touched people's hearts.

“In the process of handling cases for Falun Dafa practitioners, I have seen that they strive to save people while suffering injustice. I sincerely admire Master Li, who makes beautiful minds. Only you can teach such great practitioners. Every one of them has a magnificent tale. I am proud to be able to defend your practitioners at this special time. I wish Master Li a happy birthday.”

Card sent by a practitioner’s lawyer

A lawyer who defends Falun Dafa practitioners congratulated Master Li, “You have practitioners all over the world. It moves me to see that your practitioners, despite suffering persecution, still try to help and save people. They have moved the world and heaven. They are carving monuments of history. Justice will be served. I look forward to the moment when the Fa will rectify the human world.”

Practitioners’ Families and Friends

Many practitioners’ families, friends and coworkers have had good things happen to them because they learned the truth of Falun Dafa and treated the practitioners kindly. Many have since begun practicing.

A practitioner’s coworkers in Changchun, Jilin Province, said, “Happy birthday Master Li. We have witnessed Falun Dafa’s miraculous healing power. Falun Dafa is a Great Way that teaches people to be kind and virtuous. What the CCP said on TV is all phony and propaganda.

“My coworker was unable to work due to lumbar disc herniation. She recovered after practicing Falun Dafa, and has never taken a day off since. Despite the ongoing persecution, our supervisor encouraged her, ‘There is no better practice in the world and you must continue to practice Falun Dafa.’

“Thanks to Falun Dafa for making this world a better place. The practitioners always prioritize others, never fight for personal gain and fame. It’s hard to find such people in this world. We believe that ‘Falun Dafa is good’ and none of us were infected by the virus during the COVID pandemic. Thank you Master Li for the blessings. May everyone in the world know the truth of Falun Dafa, choose to side with the good people and stay safe, and have a bright future.”

Card sent by a practitioner’s family in Huidong County, Guangdong Province

A practitioner’s family in Huidong County, Guangdong Province thanked Master, “My family went from being dysfunctional to the envy of everyone, my business went from being in serious debt to making profits – thanks to Master and Falun Dafa. We now know the purpose of life, and the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. Falun Dafa is good indeed.”

A non-practitioner in Tongnan District, Chongqing sent a greeting card.

A non-practitioner in Tongnan District, Chongqing wrote, “On this happy day of May 13, I wish Master a happy birthday. Thank you for bringing us hope and faith. You showed us how to face tragedies without despair. The practitioners stride forward with compassion and a strong wish to let more people understand the truth. May every life return to the righteous path.”

Non-practitioners Regain Health from Supporting Falun Dafa

A woman said, “I once had a serious heart problem, and I sincerely recited ‘Falun Dafa is good.’ It saved my life and kept me safe. My husband had kidney disease and was infected during the COVID pandemic. When he was at the verge of death, my mother, who is a practitioner, told him to recite the phrases Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good. My husband did and survived. Some people with milder symptoms than he had passed away. My husband has remained healthy till this day. Thank you, Master, for saving my family. No words can express my gratitude.”

A resident from Baicheng City in Jilin Province sent a card.

A resident of Baicheng City, Jilin Province wrote, “During the COVID lockdown, I contracted herpes simplex. Unable to receive treatment, I recited the nine-word phrase and my herpes disappeared in seven days. I didn’t feel any pain. Falun Dafa is amazing, and thank you Master.”

A woman in Beijing has been healthy and her family members got along in the past few years. She believed that her support for Falun Dafa brought her these blessings. On May 13 she’d like to wish Master happy birthday.

A taxi driver in Yantai City, Shandong Province thanked Master Li in his greetings, “I have been a taxi driver for nearly 20 years and have come across many Falun Dafa disciples. They told me about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. They are friendly and trustworthy. I admire your practitioners. I sincerely wish you a happy birthday and that you will one day return to China.”

New Practitioners’ Gratitude

Despite the ongoing persecution, more and more people in China have begun practicing Falun Dafa.

A new practitioner in Tangshan City, Hebei Province wrote, “My husband suffered a brain hemorrhage before the New Year and fell into a coma. I quickly recited the nine-word phrase and begged Master to save him. He woke up in the hospital. Not having the money for the treatment, we went home. I encouraged him to listen to Falun Dafa lectures and taught him the exercises. After a while we went back to the hospital for an X-ray, and the tumor in his brain was gone. We all are very grateful to Master.”

Month-Long Celebration Around the World

Outside of China practitioners around the world held various events to celebrate the special day. Hundreds of politicians from many countries sent proclamations and letters to pay tribute to Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa. They thanked Falun Dafa for improving people’s health and morality.

The U.S. Flag Flew Over Capitol Building Twice on May 13 to Honor Mr. Li Hongzhi

On May 13, 2025 the US national flag was raised twice over the US Capitol Building to honor Mr. Li for his special contribution of introducing the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance to the world.

The U.S. flag was raised twice over the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on May 13, 2025, to honor Falun Dafa’s founder.

At the request of Senator Chris Coons from Delaware, the U.S. flag was raised in the Capitol in honor of Mr. Li. On the same day, Congresswoman Sarah McBride from Delaware also requested the flag-raising in the Capitol to honor Mr. Li.

Senator Coons presented the national flag that was flown over the Capitol to be given to Mr. Li and issued a certificate. The certificate reads, “This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol on May 13, 2025. At the request of the Honorable Christopher A. Coons, United States Senator, this flag was flown in honor of Mr. Li Hongzhi, Founder of Falun Dafa. This day marks the 33rd anniversary of introducing Falun Dafa to the public in China by Mr. Hongzhi and is celebrated by millions around the world as World Falun Dafa Day.”

Senator Chris Coons from Delaware with the national flag that was flown over the Capitol and a certificate to be given to Mr. Li.

Celebrations Worldwide

Throughout May celebrations were held around the world. Almost every day throughout the month practitioners celebrated the special day, in countries from the United States to Canada, Australia to New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore to Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Ukraine. The practitioners held parades, rallies, and group exercise demonstrations to introduce the teachings to every corner of the world.

Barrie of Canada was the first city this year to hold a flag raising ceremony on May 2 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. Alex Nuttall, Mayor of Barrie, raised a Falun Dafa Day flag with practitioners and called out “Falun Dafa is good” with representatives of other elected officials during the event.

Mayor Alex Nuttall, Falun Dafa practitioners, and other elected officials called out “Falun Dafa is good” after raising a Falun Dafa Day flag.

In New York City, thousands of Falun Dafa practitioners held an annual Falun Dafa Day parade in Manhattan on May 9. The parade lasted for more than two hours and stretched for several kilometers, attracting pedestrians in New York to stop and watch.

At Grand Central Station on 42nd Street in Manhattan, the parade was welcomed by several Chinese people. They expressed their support by holding banners in Chinese and English that read: “We Support Falun Gong.”

In New York City thousands of Falun Dafa practitioners held the annual Falun Dafa Day Parade on May 9, 2025.

Several Chinese people in New York held banners to express their support for Falun Dafa during the parade to celebrate the World Falun Dafa Day.

Samantha, a New York resident

Samantha, who lives in New York. works at a university. She’s watched Falun Dafa parades for many years. “I am always amazed by the amount of people in the parade,” she said.

Falun Dafa practitioners in New York wished Master Li a happy birthday.

Practitioners in New York held outdoor exercise demonstrations in several places to tell people about Falun Dafa around May 13.

Practitioners in New York demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises

On May 3, 2025 practitioners did the exercises in Middletown, Orange County, in upstate New York to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Mr. Li’s birthday.

Practitioners in Middletown, Orange County, on May 3

Practitioners held a grand parade in San Francisco on May 3, 2025.

Practitioners held a grand parade in London on May 10, 2025.

A day before the 2025 World Falun Dafa Day, five members of Sweden's parliament wrote to practitioners to celebrate the event. Practitioners in Sweden held celebrations in the Royal Gardens of Stockholm and other places.

Falun Dafa practitioners held four rallies and parades in Berlin from May 9 to May 10, 2025.

Falun Dafa practitioners in Germany held four parades in Berlin on May 9-10, 2025. The large-scale event involved performances by the European Tian Guo Marching Band, the Polish Dragon Dance Team, and the German Waist Drum Team.

Falun Dafa practitioners gathered at Place Colette in Paris on May 8, 2025 to celebrate World Falun Dafa day.

Falun Dafa practitioners held a grand parade in Tokyo, Japan on May 11, 2025 to celebrate World Falun Dafa day.

Practitioners celebrated World Falun Dafa Day at 228 Peace Park, Taipei, Taiwan, on May 10, 2025.

Practitioners held parades and rallies in major cities in Australia around May 13, 2025. Politicians and community leaders joined the celebrations and praised Falun Dafa for bringing Falun Dafa to Australia.

Falun Dafa practitioners held a World Falun Dafa Day celebration On May 4, 2025 at the Cook Community Hub in Canberra, Australia. More than 200 guests, including members of parliament and community leaders, joined the celebration.

The following are additional artworks sent to Minghui.org:

Card sent by practitioners in the media industry in Beijing

Seal carving: Master’s grace is immeasurable

Calligraphy: Thank you Master for our salvation

Cross stitch: Falun Dafa Is Good

Painting: Reading to understand the truth

Painting: The widespread of Falun Dafa is celebrated by heaven and earth