(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in the southern hemisphere celebrated the arrival of spring by hosting an annual celebratory event at the Auckland Botanic Gardens on October 21 and 22, 2023. They decorated the gardens and performed Chinese dragon dances, waist drums, and Chinese dances on the stage near the entrance. People praised the beauty of Falun Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance as they learned about genuine Chinese culture.
Practitioners perform a Chinese dragon dance during the annual spring event at the Auckland Botanic Gardens on October 21-22, 2023.
Practitioners’ waist drum performance.
Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises.
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People were interested in learning to practice Falun Dafa.
The Auckland Botanical Gardens is quite large, covering about 64 hectares (about 158 acres). Practitioners set up several booths, including teaching the exercises free-of-charge, guqin (a seven string Chinese musical instrument), tea ceremony, traditional Chinese medicine, paper cutting, and calligraphy throughout the gardens. They decorated the area with large lotus flowers, and lanterns printed with the words Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Practitioners showcased Falun Dafa’s five exercises and taught visitors how to practice them. Endless streams of people came and practitioners explained what Falun Dafa is.
Spreading Positive Energy
Vikim (left) and Nidhi (right) and their daughter enjoy practicing Falun Dafa.
Vikim and Nidhi and their daughter came to learn how to practice Falun Dafa. Vikim said, “We want to learn Falun Dafa because we feel a lack of energy in our bodies. We also feel depressed and anxious. Practicing Falun Dafa helps us regain our vitality.”
They were shocked when told how the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa. Nidhi said, “This is unfair. This is genocide. Everyone should have freedom of religion and belief. You are doing an admirable job here by spreading positive energy. Thank you very much!”
They said they would download the Falun Dafa lecture series online and learn more about the practice.
“The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are bestowed to us by the divine”
Alexa said meditating makes her feel peaceful and calm.
Alexa works in a gym and said meditating makes her feel peaceful and calm. She feels her divine side is dominant and she feels calm.
She said, “I like the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The principles are bestowed to us by the divine and we need to live according to them. All the stories about the divine tell us how God showed us through His actions the way we should live on this earth, how to live in harmony, how to speak the truth and treat each other kindly, and learn to forgive each other when we make mistakes.
“I know why the CCP is persecuting Falun Dafa practitioners. The CCP only thinks about power and control. For example, Jesus was persecuted because the authorities wanted to be in control. Therefore, you should persist and tell people the truth about the persecution of Falun Dafa.”
People Praise the Principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
Dheeraj (right) learns to practice Falun Dafa.
Dheeraj, from India, is a quality engineer. After he learned to practice the exercises he said that Falun Dafa was easy to learn and beneficial to health.
As to Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Dheeraj said, “These principles are very good. Not only do they benefit society, they are also genuine and universal.”
Deeraj has his own understanding about the principle, “Compassion.” “If you always think of others then your world will be a better place. If you are also willing to help others, you will feel very happy. On the contrary, if you are not good to others, or if you are selfish, then you will not be able to live a healthy and peaceful life.”
Deeraj expressed his views on the CCP’s persecution, “The CCP is terrified at the impact that Falun Dafa can have on people, and that the CCP dictatorship will not last long. Therefore the CCP had to persecute the practice because Falun Dafa is very powerful in bringing people together.”
“I like the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Jane Hale learns to practice Falun Dafa.
After Jane Hale, an early childhood educator, did the exercises she said she felt very calm. She said, “I like the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. These principles are important in life.”
Upon learning that Falun Dafa has over a hundred million practitioners, she said, “This is unbelievable! I would like to learn more about this practice and download the instructional exercise videos online. I am very interested.”
She said, “I’ve heard how the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa practitioners. Today I learned the real truth about the persecution. The CCP only wants people to believe in it and have no other beliefs other than communism. I think this persecution is horrible. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice, why are practitioners persecuted? Too many innocent people are being killed. This is totally wrong.”
Jane told the practitioners, “You are doing great and stay courageous! I believe in practitioners’ inner persistence. I also hope that more people understand what is happening in China and lend a hand to help those persecuted practitioners.”
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