(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners gathered in front of the Sydney Town Hall on May 10, 2026, to observe World Falun Dafa Day (which falls on May 13 every year) and celebrate the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises at the World Falun Dafa Day celebrations in front of the Sydney Town Hall. (Minghui.org)

Dance and musical performances share the joy of World Falun Dafa Day. (Minghui.org)

Many people talked to practitioners and signed petitions calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution. (Minghui.org)

Good Things Should Be Protected and Promoted

John Deller, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, gives the opening address. (Minghui.org)

Falun Dafa Association spokesperson John Deller said, “The principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are universal. The yearning towards goodness exists within everyone. When we each nurture honesty, compassion and forbearance within our hearts, not only do we benefit, but our family, work, and social relationships also improve.”

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi on May 13, 1992. Mr. Deller said that Chinese people quickly recognized Falun Dafa as a traditional cultivation practice that benefits body, mind, and spirit through its moral teachings and energy exercises. By 1998, there were over 70 million people practicing across China. Today, Falun Dafa is practiced by people in over 100 countries, and its main teaching, Zhuan Falun, has been translated into over 50 languages.

“Falun Dafa is taught by volunteers free of charge,” Mr. Deller continued. “Anyone can learn it if they want to. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old, what language you speak, or what culture you come from.”

Mr. Deller said Falun Dafa is so precious, and, “That’s why Falun Dafa adherents in China, even while facing torture and death, have upheld their faith and protected the rights of others to learn and practice Dafa if they wish.”

Everyone Should Follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Spectator Dyar Jasim at the celebration of World Falun Dafa Day in front of Sydney Town Hall on May 10. (Minghui.org)

As Dyar Jasim walked out of the train station, he stopped to watch the performance. He talked with a practitioner to learn more about the event and commented, “The performance itself is beautiful. It’s a really good atmosphere.

“But then to hear the story of what’s actually happening [with the persecution in China], it’s kind of shocking. It’s shocking that it’s happening, but it’s more shocking that I don’t know about it... that more people don’t know about it. I feel like this needs to be something that gets spoken about and shared everywhere.”

Mr. Jasim continued, “Such crimes must be exposed. It’s not like China is going to let you know. I feel like now it’s our job to get this out there, to have as many people know about it. They [the Chinese regime] silence it, they try to keep it down. I’m glad you guys are out here doing this.”

Referring to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) harvesting organs from Falun Dafa practitioners and other prisoners of conscience, he said, “It’s a shock that this isn’t in the headlines. I feel like the moment I turn my TV on, this should be the first thing I see. I can’t find a justification for why it should continue. Other than profit and personal gain for the Communist Party in China, that’s really the only people benefiting. I don't think anyone with a sense of logic or morality would oppose this.”

Jasim also said that the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are important, especially in the current world situation. “I feel like those three things are certainly missing. Anything that promotes this, anything that helps you achieve those things, that’s definitely something we need. We need more of this.

“Falun Gong promotes this, I support it 100%. I feel like everyone in the world needs to have these three things. Especially in society now, we need the truth. We have media and we have the internet. People think that just because we have information, we have the truth. We have misinformation more than anything, but people are being lied to every day and consuming misinformation. We’re left in the dark on the truths that actually matter in the world. I feel like it’s important as people, as citizens, we should know the reality of what’s happening in the world that we live in.”

Jasim shared his thoughts on Falun Dafa’s principles: “Compassion, that’s a massive one. We have to care about each other. No matter where you’re from, where you were born, where you grew up, what you do... Everyone deserves to be loved. Everyone needs to love each other. Just people caring about people.

“Tolerance is a big one. It’s very important especially today... People overlook tolerance. People make mistakes. People have accidents. You have to find that inner peace and stability. To not let little things shake who you are as a person. To have tolerance and understanding for each other, that links in with compassion. When we have that, we just function better as a society.”

Jasim thanked Master Li, the founder of Falun Dafa, “Thank you for guiding people down a better path and giving people an alternative. I feel like that’s a big one, especially in a place like China, so severely controlled. And everyone feels like they’re under all that pressure and oppression. To have something that can free yourself and that sense of community, I think that’s beautiful.”

Before leaving, he said, “I’m going to take photos of all of this and at least post it on my Instagram. I’m going to go see my family now and tell them about it. It’s a big shock. Everyone deserves to know.”

Falun Dafa’s Principles Are Meaningful

Jenny Cajahuanca from Peru

Jenny Cajahuanca, originally from Peru, enjoyed the performance. “I think it’s so beautiful and magnificent how you are showing that.”

She said she had heard of Falun Gong before and was interested in learning it, adding that she would search online for more information and was happy to know the teachings are free.

Talking about the principles of Falun Dafa, Jenny said, “I think each person could follow those as principles for life. I think it’s so meaningful. We need the truth to follow what we believe. We also need compassion for family and people. And tolerance, being patient. So these principles are all involved in our lives.”