The 2003 Western United States Fa Conference Solemnly Commences, Master Li Hongzhi Comes to the Conference Site to Teach and Expound on the Fa

On February 15, the 2003 Western United States Fa Conference solemnly commenced in Los Angeles, California. Master Li Hongzhi personally came to the conference site to teach and expound on the Fa [Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance]. More than 1,500 practitioners attended.Most of the practitioners were from the United States, but some were also from Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and parts of Mainland China were also present.

Simultaneous translations were provided	Practitioners present their articles

At 10 a.m., Master Li arrived at the conference site. All of the practitioners present gave a long standing ovation with expressions of joy on their faces. In the morning, Master taught the Fa for approximately one hour, and in the afternoon expounded further on the Fa from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is the first time since the wicked persecution in Mainland China began on July 20, 1999 that Master has publicly, extensively taught the Fa at a major Fa conference [a Fa conference is also known as an experience sharing conference. It is intended for practitioners to formally share with each other their experiences in cultivating Falun Gong. They are voluntarily organised by local practitioners].

The Chinese and Western practitioners who presented articles mainly discussed the three things of studying the Fa well, clarifying the truth about the persecution, and sending forth righteous thoughts [using upright thoughts to purify oneself and one's surroundings].

During the period of preparations for the Fa conference, the practitioners obtained more than 30 congratulatory letters and proclamations from various levels of government and officials.

This weekend coincided with the happy occasion of the Lantern Festival, and this conference was also a historic gathering for the Dafa practitioners to be reunited with Master.