On the afternoon of May 11th, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners in France gathered in the Parvis de la Liberté ET des droits de l’homme opposite the Eiffel Tower in Paris to celebrate the 9th World Falun Dafa Day and the 16th anniversary of Falun Gong’s introduction. Peaceful exercise demonstrations, beautiful dances and happy music attracted many local residents and tourists world-wide to celebrate this special occasion with practitioners.
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Practitioners Chinese and French shared cultivation experiences
A long-time immigrant from China, Ms. Huang, who attended Mr. Li Hongzhi’s first Falun Gong class held in Paris in 1995, said, “I attended Master’s first class in France, which deeply impressed me. Since I started the practice, Master told me many truths in life. Previous I had been searching for the meaning of life without success. My biggest gain was that Dafa pointed out my way ahead. As a result I am very grateful for Master’s salvation. I am very happy today as it is the World Falun Dafa Day. Each year there are warm celebrations. On behalf of my entire family, I send our regards to the Master and wish him a happy birthday.”
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| Signing a petition condemning the persecution |
A Ms. Xu from China who has been practicing Falun Gong for one year first read Zhuan Falun ten years ago. She said, “Every time I read Zhuan Falun, I wanted to start practicing. Finally I did.”
Talking about cultivation experience, she said, “I see life differently now, knowing what to do in this life. Before I felt a sense of emptiness as days passed by and not knowing what life was for. Now I know. Also there are fewer conflicts. Before, I fought for even the smallest interests. Now I understand suddenly that these are all trivial.”
A western practitioner Eric Gansailler said, “In 2005 I started practicing Falun Gong via the internet. When I found ‘Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance’, I knew that was what I needed.”
An Israeli practitioner Remi who lives in Paris with his family said, “‘Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance’ brought us benefits but Falun Gong is persecuted in China. We hope to stop the persecution as soon as possible.”
Falun Gong dancers performed beautiful Chinese dances to show practitioners’ elegance. Remi’s wife Mihale was one of them. She said, “I am very glad to attend the festivities today. Meanwhile I can not forget those practitioners being persecuted in China. It is very important to let people know the beauty of Falun Gong.”
A Ms. Chen who started practicing in 2004 said, “Before life was a routine. Since knowing Falun Gong, my whole life changed. In fact life is for cultivation and to return to one’s true self. Since cultivation, my respiratory diseases that caused me discomfort disappeared. Now I enjoy a happy life.”
French public support stopping the persecution
In July 1999, out of fear for “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” the CCP and Jiang started a brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Through nine years of peaceful and rational anti-persecution efforts, Falun Gong practitioners clarified the truth to more and more people. More and more people voiced the justice and condemned crimes of the CCP, calling upon the international community to adopt measures to stop this persecution.
M. Patel, a commercial attaché in Paris, said, “I think it is terrific to introduce Falun Gong here (at the Parvis de la Liberté et des droits de l’homme in Paris) through a peaceful means like dancing. I hope Falun Gong will enjoy great fame not only in its own country but also all around the world. I would like to stand by Falun Gong.”
When asked whether M. Patel knew such a wonderful practice is being persecuted in China, he answered, “Yes, I heard about the persecution in China. I also know about the torture and organ harvesting that the CCP regime inflicts upon them. I think these are barbaric atrocities.”
Having signed the Million Signature Campaign to stop the persecution, a management assistant Madame Marlanda commented, “I feel the persecution is too brutal to be described by any language. I was stunned. In 2008 there are still people who are killed innocently. I hope this can be stopped immediately. I just signed to support Falun Gong, leaving behind my contact details. I hope it can be of help.”
Seeing some Chinese tourist dodging on the square, Marlanda regarded Falun Gong practitioners’ truth materials as very precious. She hoped all Chinese people could learn these crimes that are covered up by the CCP. She said, “Those Chinese should open their eyes and hearts to learn about this.” Calling upon people to help Falun Gong practitioners to stop the persecution, she said, “Let us act immediately to correct everything.”
Distributing lotus flowers
Falun Gong practitioners also distributed exquisite paper lotus flowers with bookmarks that introduce Falun Gong attached as well as colourful balloons with “The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” prints. Adults and children alike accepted practitioners’ gifts in high spirits, sharing the festive atmosphere of this special day. Practitioners hoped in this way more people could learn the beauty of Falun Gong, the truth could be spread to all corners of the world and the lotus flowers that represent holiness and purity could flourish in everybody’s heart.
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