On the 28th of January 2005, Ukraine Severodonetsk-online Information Resource Centre reported on the “The Journey of Compassion” Art Exhibition held by Falun Gong practitioners in Ukraine. Following is a transcript of the report.
The Journey of Compassion
From 22nd to the 30th of January, Falun Gong practitioners held an exhibition of reproductions of paintings by world-renowned female artist Ms. Zhang Cuiying at the city’s Chemistry Cultural Centre.
In 1962, Zhang Cuiying was born in Shanghai, China. Even as a child, she showed incredible talent for Chinese classical still life paintings and calligraphy. At the age of twenty she was already a famous painter. Her works were well received by people in China and abroad. After emigrating to Australia in 1996, she unfortunately contracted rheumatoid arthritis. In agony and despair, she started practising a kind of traditional Chinese Qigong called Falun Gong. Later, she returned to China to uphold her belief. She was brutally persecuted in China and suffered more than eight months in jail.
To understand why this happened, one has to know an extraordinary piece of history. In 1992, Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, first started spreading this Qigong practice in China. At present, more than 100 million people across over sixty countries are practising Falun Gong. Its theory is guided by the most profound principles of the cosmos – “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance”. It teaches people to be kind and helps practitioners reach the goal of unlocking wisdom and enlightenment, achieving spiritual freedom and improving health. The practice is always taught free of charge all over the world. One does not need to leave society to practise. Practitioners are not constrained either by age, time or place of practice. In 2001, Master Li Hongzhi was nominated for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. From 2000 to 2001, as well as winning many other awards and recognitions, Master Li Hongzhi was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Falun Gong is now spread all over the world.
However, such kind acts met with many trials and tribulations on the way to being recognised. At the end of the 90s, dark clouds covered the birthplace of Falun Gong. The Chinese Communist Party’s leader at that time, Jiang Zemin, stood in the way of the spreading of Falun Gong. Such a vast amount of people were all interested in one thing in society. In the Chinese leader’s mind, perhaps this would impact his political power. As a result he decided to ban Falun Gong. He utilised all the media propaganda in China to disparage Falun Gong and create reasons to start an official persecution. According to official documents, the government had planned to get rid of Falun Gong and its founder in three months. Nevertheless, Falun Gong practitioners insisted upon their beliefs out of kindness. Consequently, this persecution has lasted till today.
China is the only country that has banned the Falun Gong practice. A large number of human rights organisations in various countries all came forward to support Falun Gong. It is widely recognised that the Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin, violated human rights.
No such incidences occurred in Ukraine. Falun Dafa practitioners have already spread across all cities in Ukraine. To promote Falun Gong and let people know about the principles of the Falun Gong practice, practitioners held various art exhibitions. This was already the second time that they visited Severodonetsk.
At the exhibition, other than the artwork of the famous painter, there were various paintings and sculptures by Falun Gong practitioners in Ukraine on display. The atmosphere at the exhibition was very harmonious, showing the peaceful inner world of people living by the beliefs of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance”.
In conclusion, we can say it does not matter how people look at this matter, whether with doubt or with sympathy, and it does not matter what religious or philosophical viewpoint people follow. As long as one visits the exhibition, it is difficult not to admire the superb technique of the enchanting artwork on show. It is impossible to stay unaffected by what you see and hurry away before savouring all the works.
Originally published at http://www.sed.lg.ua/citynews/?20050128
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