By practitioners in Germany
The opening ceremony of the Chinese Garden situated in beautiful Mannheim City Park was held on September 12, 2001. This garden was designed and built by Zhenjiang City (Jiangsu Province, China), the sister-city of Mannheim. The Mayor of Mannheim, officials from Zhenjiang, Chinese ambassadors and many distinguished German political VIPs attended the ceremony. Reporters from many media, including Xinghua News Agency and CCTV [Chinese state television], also attended.
Falun Dafa practitioners from Mannheim and Heidelberg were able to use this opportunity to clarify the truth of Falun Dafa to both Chinese and German guests.
A couple of practitioners wore clothing with Falun Dafa words printed on it and attended the ceremony. When I saw some Chinese reporters photographing the event, I approached them and started talking with them. They were surprised when they saw "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" imprinted on the front of my shirt. Two people even looked at the back of my shirt to verify that I was really a Falun Dafa practitioner. Many Chinese became wide-eyed when they saw overseas Falun Dafa practitioners openly showing up at public events. This alone deeply impressed them. We talked about Falun Gong. They all knew about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. I told them, "We feel really sad and upset upon seeing your incorrect, 'Cultural Revolution style' reports about Falun Gong. As a journalist, we hope that you will be responsible in reporting events in good faith and conscience. As an individual, you have to take responsibility when reporting this serious issue.
Guests from China were watching us with expressions of amazement and admiration. We told them how widely Falun Dafa has spread around the world. They also saw many western practitioners. We patiently answered their questions to eliminate the wrong conceptions they have had toward Falun Dafa because of the evil propaganda. A guest showed me a pendant hanging around her neck with the words "Good Fortune, Wealth, and Long-life." I told her that, only by following the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can someone really have 'Good Fortune, Wealth, and Long-life'. Otherwise it is impossible." The lady and her husband kept nodding to show they agreed with me. Another elderly couple showed great interest in Chinese chairs. I thus told them that a good design must be one that really considers the needs of others. People should put others first in whatever they are doing. If everyone could follow the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, the world would become a better place. The old couple emotionally said, "God will be joyful upon hearing what you just said."
We said hello and shook hands with everyone we met with enthusiasm. Nobody turned away.
When I was looking at the painting exhibition, I happened to see the Chinese ambassador approaching from behind. I turned to face him, offered my hand, and shook hands with him. I smiled and looked into his eyes and said to him, "Mr.Ambassador, please do pay attention to the Falun Gong practitioners who are being persecuted in China." He didn't reply.
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