Finland: Promoting Falun Gong on International Oulu Day

From the 22nd to the 23rd of October, Falun Gong practitioners in Finland went to the northern city of Oulu, where they promoted Falun Gong and talked to people about the persecution against the practice in China during the “International Oulu Day” activities. Aside from collecting petition signatures from the public to call for an end to the persecution against Falun Gong, practitioners also took advantage of this rare opportunity for group Fa study and sharing of cultivation experiences. (Fa study describes studying the books and teachings written by Falun Dafa’s founder Master Li Hongzhi)

Practitioners arrived at the open-air location around 10am. Nobody was in charge of setting everything up but everything seemed to fall into place. Soon the stand was set up and each practitioner took a suitable spot. Some demonstrated the exercises whilst others handed out leaflets and collected petition signatures. With compassion in their hearts, practitioners showed the magnificence of Falun Gong to the people of Oulu in the icy wind. The exposed the six years of brutal persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Falun Gong practitioners, who strive to live by the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance”.

An endless stream of tourists passed the Falun Gong stand. Many stopped to watch the exercise demonstrations on the stage, read the posters and take leaflets. Some also took the initiative to talk with practitioners to understand what Falun Gong is, why the CCP persecutes Falun Gong, where to learn the exercises, etc. Some even walked straight up to sign the petition and express their support.

A few youngsters were given not only leaflets but also a beautiful paper lotus flower each. Practitioners told them about little Fa Du. When Fa Du was less than a year old, her father was killed in China by the CCP for practising Falun Gong. Upon learning the bad news, her mother took little Fa Du to visit more than thirty countries around the world to tell people about Falun Gong and how the CCP destroyed their family. They exposed the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP and Jiang’s regime and called for the people of the world to stop this persecution together. They also brought along lotus flowers, which represent peace and beauty, to people all over the world. The youngsters were deeply moved by the story and parted with gratitude.

A western practitioner, Mikko, met by chance Mr Timo Soini, who was holding activities on the square for his presidential election. Mikko took the opportunity to ask him, “Do you remember me from three years ago? I gave you some Falun Gong material.” Mr. Soini replied, “Of course, you are Mikko.” Amazed by Mr Soini’s incredible memory, Mikko immediately handed him an English version of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party he had on him, which Mr Soini happily accepted. Nine Commentaries... was published by the newspaper The Epoch Times and is a detailed expose of the Communist Party’s history of persecution, suppression and violence against the Chinese people. Falun Gong practitioners have found that reading the Nine Commentaries... can help people understand why the CCP would want to persecute Falun Gong practitioners, a group of people who merely want to practise peaceful exercises and improve their moral standards.

Subsequently, a reporter from Kaleva newspaper, who had interviewed Mr Soini, interviewed Mikko. The reporter promised to cover the Falun Gong event in the newspaper.

Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, practitioners organised group Fa study and experience sharing after the activities. Two new local practitioners also attended.