Australia: Stories from Sydney Minghui School Summer Vacation Activities

On the first day of 2006, with the New Year just having arrived in Sydney, Australia, the Sydney Minghui School arranged an all-day study session for young practitioners during their summer break. Due to limited space, and the fact that this was the first time this event was held, the expected number of attendees was around twenty. It was particularly hot that day, up to 44oC (111oF). It was like being in an oven when you were out in the sun, and some practitioners live an hour's drive away. Unexpectedly, 36 children from 3 to 16 years of age showed up for the book study.

Group exercises

In class	Reading

Starting at 8:00 a.m., the young practitioners came to send forth righteous thoughts together at school, and then did the exercises between the three times of sending righteous thoughts. They all did the exercises seriously. When doing the sitting meditation at noon, the whole group was so quiet and peaceful, sitting there for an hour. Everyone could feel the strong energy field. All the young practitioners were doing very well, and no one chatted or made noise. Even the youngest also sat there for the whole hour. Quite a few young practitioners sat in double lotus position for the entire time.

After the three times of sending righteous thoughts and doing the sitting meditation, the young practitioners were divided into three classes to read Zhuan Falun, Hong Yin and Hong Yin II. With encouragement from their parents, some had learned the Fa more before and memorised Hong Yin, so they recited some poems, and won a lot admiration and applause from others. This enhanced their confidence in studying the Fa, and the others also hoped that they could catch up.

In the youngest group, some interesting things took place. A four-year-old child, who normally could hardly ever sit down and study quietly, did so that day. When the teacher dismissed the class, an eight-year-old practitioner said, "I'm not through." He didn't leave until the teacher led him to read three more poems from Hong Yin. The last one sitting there was a four-year-old boy. He normally doesn't talk at all. The teacher looked at him and asked, "Do you want to read from Hong Yin II with me?" He just looked at the teacher. When the teacher started to read "Righteous God," he started to follow, one word at a time, then two words at a time. In the end they read five poems. All the teachers there were so happy, they spread the good news to everyone, "He speaks, he can read Hong Yin now..." "Best wishes to you, you've taken a very exciting step forward in the New Year."

There was an eight-year-old girl who, when a group of young practitioners began drawing, continued to read Zhuan Falun. Even though she didn't know most of the words, she still read and read. When the teacher asked her if she wanted to take a break and draw with others, she shook her head and pointed at the book, indicating that she still wanted to read.

The students shared some experiences after the study. Many young practitioners understood Zhuan Falun very well. They overcame the language barrier, really surprising the teachers.

In the sharing, practitioner A said, "I use the computer to clarify the truth during the summer break. I sent out truth clarification materials, or sometimes the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. I feel so happy that I can do something to validate the Fa," practitioner B said. "Every Sunday, after sending forth righteous thoughts, we go to Chinatown to distribute fliers, Dafa materials, and the Nine Commentaries. Though I stand there for hours, I don't feel tired!"

Young practitioner C shared what they learned on a van tour to eight towns for clarifying the truth to local governments and media. They told people the facts of the persecution and about the situation that Falun Gong orphans in China are in. That trip was arranged by young practitioners themselves. Practitioner D said, "I get online to clarify the truth on the Internet, and tell people about the persecution against Falun Dafa inflicted by the Chinese Communist regime. When other kids bullied me, I have never fought back, because I know that I'd have to give him good things in other dimensions if I did fight back."

After sharing, many young practitioners wanted to go distribute the truth clarification materials. Someone said, "I don't know how to distribute them though." Other young practitioners stood up and showed them how. Many young practitioners said, "We want to distribute truth clarification materials everywhere to help more people know that Falun Dafa is great."

Teachers also told young practitioners not to waste food, to try to eat it all, and not leave leftovers. After the meals, young practitioners helped in cleaning and washing, to form good habits. The event ended at 8:00 p.m.

Afterwards, all the adult practitioners who arranged the event deeply felt the huge responsibility that teachers and parents have in helping these young practitioners grow.