Germany: Falun Dafa Contributes to “Strengthening Children” at Bremen Children's Day

The 23rd Bremen Children’s Day, celebrated on September 2, was held on a beautiful sunny day. The “Strengthening Children” event was organized by the Bremen Regional Sports Association.

North Germany’s Falun Dafa practitioners participated in this nationwide and largest German children’s festival. Children enjoyed making beautiful lotus flowers out of paper, had their names written in calligraphy, and were introduced to the cultivation practice Falun Dafa.

Children of different ages were captivated when learning the five gentle Falun Dafa exercises.

Justin and his brother (the two children on the right) enjoy being taught the exercises by Luca, a 14-year-old Falun Dafa practitioner	Children of different ages learn the Falun Dafa exercises

The parents (on the right) were interested in learning more about the Falun Dafa exercises

In the midst of the bustling activities, including many different kinds of sporting and dance events, a children's circus, diverse skill development games, and the many information booths, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Child Protection Agency, the Falun Dafa booth stood out.

The calm and peaceful atmosphere put the children at ease the minute they started learning the Falun Dafa exercises at the special practice site next to the information booths. The Falun Dafa exercise music helped most of the children to relax, concentrate, and follow the instructions.

Many of the mothers were thrilled when they noticed the effect of the soothing exercises on their children. Many expressed great interest in bringing them to the regular exercise site on Sundays. One mother was deeply touched and told us of her volunteer efforts to help mothers and children in another part of Bremen. She suggested that Falun Dafa needed to be introduced in that area and she would advocate on behalf of Falun Dafa.

The practitioners told parents and children that Falun Dafa was a holistic cultivation practice that included body and mind. Besides the exercises, one also learned about following the three principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

A practitioner should live daily by the three principles. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are important for young and old. These core values strengthen morality and character and would be an important basis for growing up drug free.

Enduring Conflicts

An elderly lady had a long discussion with a practitioner while folding paper lotus flowers. Before leaving she thanked the practitioner for a wonderful time. She said that the talk about forbearance helped her to look at private conflicts from a different perspective and that it helped her to unburden her mind.

The spiritual practice of Falun Dafa places great importance on the principles of Truthfulness- Compassion-Forbearance. They are understood as essentials for being healthy, developing spiritually, and living a harmonious life. Practitioners try to live their daily lives by following these principles. During conflicts they practice forbearance, which in turn helps them to remain calm. They don’t internalize conflicts or get stressed out over them. The practice allows its practitioners to forgive and continue to look forward instead of to the past.

The lotus flowers made by the young lady were inscribed with the messages: “Falun Dafa is good” and “The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

Bremen Children’s Day is an event that informs children and teenagers about the miseries of taking drugs. The different age groups are exposed to confidence and communication training, both important aspects of self-worth. The intent is to prevent children from taking drugs.