(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from the Toronto area took part in several local summer celebrations over the weekend of June 17-18. The Tian Guo Marching Band and waist drum team participated in the Sound of Music Festival Parade in Burlington, Canada’s Largest Free Music Festival, on June 17, 2023. The following day, the Tian Guo Marching Band participated in the Welland Rose Festival Parade, a tradition that started in 1961.

The Tian Guo Marching Band and waist drum team performed at the Sound of Music Festival Parade in Burlington on June 17, 2023

The Tian Guo Marching Band joined the Welland Rose Festival Parade on June 18, 2023.

Interested in Falun Dafa

Antonio said he is interested in learning more about Falun Dafa. 

Antonio, 72, is a member of another band that also took part in the Sound of Music Festival Parade. Before the parade set off, he watched and listened as the Tian Guo Marching Band warmed up. He said he often saw practitioners doing the Falun Dafa exercises in the morning at a nearby park. 

Antonio said the gentle and slow exercise movements were elegant and fascinating. “I also like [Dafa’s] principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and I will definitely read about it on the Falun Dafa website. Thank you!” he said. 

Praise for Falun Dafa’s Principles

Sarah and her husband watched the parade and expressed admiration for the band. Sarah’s husband said, “This is the first time we’ve heard the Tian Guo Marching Band perform and it’s great. I like it very much.” 

Sarah was glad to hear that band members were Falun Dafa practitioners who improved their minds and bodies through five sets of exercises and by following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She explained that she meditates and it helps her. 

“The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are important. They can help us maintain a positive attitude while negating bad thoughts,” Sarah added. “I am so happy that practitioners are sharing Falun Dafa with communities.”

Seeking Spiritual Enlightenment

Serasat (first from right) and his family thanked Falun Dafa practitioners. 

Serasat from Sri Lanka and his family applauded practitioners’ performance as they passed by. He explained that he had many questions about life, and years ago, he thought about becoming a monk in a temple. But his family disagreed, so he gave that thought up. 

He said that is why he was glad to hear that Falun Dafa helps one to improve based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and cultivate while leading a normal life. “This is exactly what I need and I will check it out for sure,” Serasat said. 

Beautiful Melody

As soon as Susie and her family saw the Tian Guo Marching Band approaching, she immediately took out her cell phone and began recording the performance. “The band members are very talented and play extremely well,” she remarked. 

“I also agree with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance one-hundred percent, because they will bring us blessings,” Susie said. “I will share the information with my family, since we all need this.”

Heather was impressed by the beautiful melodies the Tian Guo Marching Band played. She said the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can nurture one’s mind and are critical for one’s health. 

Renouncing the CCP

Ms. Wang from Guangdong Province, China watched the parade with her grandson. Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) defamation of Falun Dafa, she said she knew Falun Dafa is good. 

Ms. Wang talked with a practitioner who explained how the CCP suppresses numerous groups, including Falun Dafa, using brutality and lies. Sadly, the CCP’s hate propaganda has caused many people to criticize traditional values and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Ms. Wang agreed and decided to renounce her membership in the CCP’s Young Pioneers, a communist Party affiliate that she joined when she was a child.