(Minghui.org) It was a sunny day at Liberty Square in Taipei, with temperatures reaching above 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) on the morning of October 17, 2026. Approximately 4,600 Falun Dafa practitioners from Taiwan and other countries formed a grand image of the two Chinese characters Da Fa, (Great Law), and a giant, blossoming lotus flower emitting rays of light. The image was especially striking in the bright sunlight.
Approximately 4,600 Falun Dafa practitioners formed the Chinese characters Da Fa, and a giant, blossoming lotus flower at Taipei’s Liberty Square on October 17, 2026. (Minghui.org)
People learned about Falun Gong and the persecution through exhibition boards displayed around the square. (Minghui.org)
This large-scale character formation event was held on the eve of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference. The theme this year was “Dafa Spreads Far and Wide, Right Fruit and the Blossoming Lotus” and showcases Falun Dafa practitioners’ steadfast conviction despite arduous cultivation tests. Tourists from different countries stopped to watch. Some expressed their admiration at the spectacular sight of thousands of people arranged in perfect formation while others took the opportunity to gain a better understanding of Falun Dafa and the persecution in China.
Practitioners expressed their gratitude to Master Li, Falun Dafa’s founder, through banners with the message “Falun Dafa is Good”, and “Thank You Master for Your Infinite Grace” after the character formation. (Minghui.org)
Practitioners did the exercises after they participated in the character formation. (Minghui.org)
Taiwan Falun Dafa Association Chairman: Upholding Freedom of Belief
Professor Xiao Songshan, chairman of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, said that since Falun Dafa was first taught publicly in 1992, it has since spread throughout the world for 34 years. He said that the grand character formation every year shows practitioners’ firm conviction in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and that he hopes more people will get to know about Falun Dafa through the activity.
He pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began persecuting Falun Dafa in 1999 and it continues to this day. The regime has extended the persecution outside China, and launched a campaign of transnational repression and legal warfare targeting Falun Dafa and Shen Yun Performing Arts. Practitioners continue to tell people the facts using peaceful means.
Xiao Songshan said that in the 22 counties and cities in Taiwan, thus far 17 county and city councils have expressed support for the screening of the documentary State Organs, and support Shen Yun performances being safeguarded through related proposals. The officials urge Taiwan’s government to improve its legislation to oppose transnational repression. He hopes to let more people understand what Falun Dafa is through peaceful activities such as character formations and continuously clarifying the facts about the persecution. He also urged society to pay attention to freedom of belief and basic human rights.
Giant Image Transmits Message of Steadfast Belief
According to Wu Qingxiang, who was in charge of designing the image formed in the activity, this year’s image was made up of the clerical script of “Da Fa,” a giant lotus flower, and 38 rays of light. The lotus flower symbolizes “not tarnished despite growing in the mud,” just like practitioners’ firm conviction amid difficult tests, practicing cultivation diligently. “Right fruit and blossoming lotus” comes from a poem by Master Li, the founder of Falun Dafa in “Hong Yin II.”
Liberty Square, originally known as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Square, is a public plaza located within the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall complex in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei, Taiwan. It encompasses a large event plaza and a center for the performing arts. Spanning a total area of 250,000 square meters, the site features Zhongzheng Park, a monumental archway, a ceremonial boulevard, and buildings including the National Performing Arts Center. The name “Liberty Square” is derived from the inscription on its prominent archway.
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a memorial dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek (1887–1975; courtesy name: Chieh-shih). On December 7, 2007, the administration of Chen Shui-bian, as part of a policy to “de-Chiang-ify” public spaces, renamed the “Da Zhong Zhi Zheng” archway at the memorial hall plaza to “Liberty Square” and re-designated the “Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall” as the “National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall.” The term “Da Zhong Zhi Zheng” can be broken down as “Da” signifying vastness or breadth, “Zhong” denoting impartiality and balance, “Zhi” implying the ultimate or superlative degree, and “Zheng” standing for justice and orthodoxy—a conceptual lineage that can be traced back to the “I Ching” (Book of Changes).
Regardless of whether it is called “Da Zhong Zhi Zheng” or “Liberty Square,” this venue serves as an excellent setting for large-scale events. Such events showcase the demeanor of Falun Dafa practitioners, and highlights the stark contrast in attitudes toward this Buddhist-school spiritual discipline on either side of the Taiwan Strait, and provides a platform to speak out on behalf of Falun Dafa practitioners in China who are persecuted by the CCP.
Panoramic view of the archway at Liberty Square (Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Square) (Public Domain)
Meticulous Planning and Cooperation Make Activity a Success
To successfully plan and form an image with more than 4,000 people participating, besides creating the design, the tasks of advance planning, on-site surveying, and on the spot coordination is a must. Huang Chunmei, vice-chair of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, has been responsible for planning the character formation and overseeing things on the day for years. She said this year practitioners walked into their designated positions and formed the image more smoothly compared to previous years. She thinks the character formation activity in Taiwan every year is sacred. It enables people to see Falun Dafa practitioners’ peaceful and steadfast spirit.
Two days before the activity practitioners went to the site to prepare. (Minghui.org)
Tourists Admire Practitioners’ Resilience
Eduardo from Mexico, who works in marketing, was on holiday in Asia and came to Taiwan from Japan a few days prior to the event. On his first day in Taiwan a practitioner handed him a flyer and he learned about the character formation at Liberty Square. After visiting several tourist attractions, he came to see the event before leaving Taiwan.
He was surprised and said, “I have never seen anything like this before. So many people forming this image. The colors are amazing, it is truly stunning.”
Eduardo from Mexico, who works in marketing, was surprised to see the scale of the character formation. (Minghui.org)
He was sad to hear how the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa but he admired practitioners for persisting in their belief despite the persecution, “They should continue to maintain a strong will. I believe what they display here is a great thing because the [character formation] is not easy and it is very beautiful.”
Winston from Switzerland came to Taiwan to study Chinese and said he was touched by the character formation, “So many people coming together. People can do things freely, and do what they want [here]. I love it. I’ve never seen this in Switzerland.”
Regarding Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Winston said, “I love these principles. I am a Christian. My upbringing is to be a good person. If you are a good person and help others, it will also help you in the end.”
He found it hard to understand why the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa, “[Falun Dafa] wants people to become better people. It’s very peaceful and encourages people to care for others. These are all good things, yet the CCP is scared.”
He wants to tell practitioners, “Persist in what you firmly believe in. This is important. I hope the Chinese government can see this. These people [Falun Dafa practitioners] are good people. They benefit society. I hope the government changes its thinking.”
John Michael from Pennsylvania, USA, who teaches English in Taiwan, said he has seen the character formation at least five times. “It is truly amazing, this yearly [event] never stops, it is an important mission.”
John Michael, an English teacher from the US, said he is always amazed by the character formation. (Minghui.org)
Falun Dafa Is Righteous
Mr. Xiao from Zhanghua accompanies his wife, who has been practicing Falun Dafa for over a decade, to participate in the character formation every year, and records the grand scene. He said he is deeply moved seeing thousands of practitioners forming the lotus flower and Dafa characters in the hot sun. He said his wife conducts herself according to Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
He said these values resonate with him and that Falun Dafa is a righteous way. He is very supportive of his wife’s faith and thinks people must believe in the divine, have a belief, and be good people. He noted that while Falun Dafa practitioners are able to hold large-scale, character formation activities in Taiwan, which is democratic and free, the CCP—on the other side of the strait—continues to suppress and persecute this group of kind-hearted practitioners. In his opinion, good will prevail over evil ultimately, and time will prove everything!
Mr. Xiao from Zhanghua records the character formation every year. (Minghui.org)
Mr. Lin, a plainclothes policeman, was also moved by the peaceful atmosphere during the character formation. He said so many practitioners formed the image and they were undeterred by the scorching sun. He felt the whole event was harmonious and pleasant—it helped him see how upright and peaceful Falun Dafa is. Regarding the 27-year long persecution, he said, “This persecution has gone on too long, it is absolutely unreasonable!” He also expressed his admiration for practitioners’ unwavering belief, and said one should have a belief. This forms a moral baseline, enables self- restraint, and only then can people truly benefit society.
Mr. Chen from Guishan, Taoyuan is a mechanical engineer who came to Liberty Square to take part in a seminar. He said it was the first time he had seen so many Falun Dafa practitioners forming an image, and he was curious. He said there is a Falun Dafa practice site where he lives but he has not had an opportunity to find out more about the spiritual practice. Today, seeing several thousand practitioners displaying freedom of belief and the beauty of practicing cultivation through peaceful activities, in comparison to the CCP’s persecution, has helped him gain a deeper understanding of Falun Dafa.
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