Australia: Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance Art Exhibition Makes an Impact at Rayburn House Office Building

As part of the series of activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of Falun Gong's peaceful protest against the persecution in China, practitioners in Washington DC held a Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance International Art Exhibition at the Rayburn House Office Building, the congressional office building for the US House of Representatives. Many representatives' office assistants and government officials visited the art exhibition and were moved by the artwork and its profound meaning.

Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance International Art Exhibition at Rayburn House Office Building

The exhibition includes 22 pieces of artwork created by Falun Dafa artists, many of whom had personally experienced the persecution. Most of the artwork are based on real stories. Using traditional painting technique, the artists present themes including the joy of cultivation, the brutal persecution, a call for conscience, good is rewarded and evil is punished, and justice prevails.

The premiere of the international art exhibition was held at the Rayburn Building five years ago. Since then, the exhibition has visited more than 200 cities in more than 40 countries.

Ms. Zhang, an organiser of the exhibition, said that many government officials had visited the exhibition and were shocked to find out the brutality of the persecution in China.

The director of an international religious organisation said that he knew about the persecution of Falun Gong, but he was still shocked to see how cruel it was. He was moved by the artwork about a mother and her child studying the Fa. He said that Falun Gong practitioners in China should have freedom of belief.

A representative's assist said he was shocked by brutal persecution depicted in the artwork. He said that it is a despicable crime of the CCP to persecute good people and harvest their organs for profit.

Another representative's assistant said that compared to other persecutions in the world, the persecution of Falun Gong was the worst. He said that it was a pity that the American people don't realise how serious the persecution is.

The signature book for the exhibition was filled with praise for the artworks. One woman wrote that the artwork was gorgeous and made her feel warm inside. Someone else wrote that the paintings presented the greatest stories, their message clear and stirring. Another person stated that the paintings had energy, touched people's hearts and lifted their spirit. Another commented that the artwork reminded us of our authentic human nature, which we should remember.

Ms. Linda Good, an official for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, was moved to tears by the artwork. She said the paintings used beautiful technique to tell a sad story. As a mother of three children, she was saddened to see the story about a mother whose son died from the persecution. She couldn't wipe the look of the mother from her memory. She asked what any government with any conscience would think, upon seeing such moving artworks. Through the paintings, Ms. Good could see Falun Gong practitioners' noble spirit. She said that the exhibit was very beautiful, touching and inspiring. She added that the paintings inspired her to inspect her own heart and do her best to be a good person. Ms. Good said that now all people exercise their bodies, but after seeing the artwork, she realised how important it was to cultivate the heart. She said that the unyielding spirit, peace and compassion of Falun Gong practitioners when facing the persecution was great, and she wished she could be as calm and peaceful as they were. Finally, Ms. Good said she would tell her son to visit the exhibition.

Mr. Ibrahims Mohamed is a government official in Virginia. He happened to go to the Rayburn House Office Building for a hearing. He was very sad to find out about the brutal persecution in China. He said that as Americans, we have the responsibility to protect the girl shown in the painting and the man from organ harvesting. The exhibition exposed the persecutors and brings shame to the persecuting regime. It also helps more people learn about the persecution, so that more will step forward and take responsibility for stopping it. Mr. Mohamed said the fact that the exhibition could be shown in the Rayburn Building was a sign of hope.

Taylor Good, Linda Good's son, came to visit the exhibition a shortly after his mother left. He expressed his great admiration for Falun Gong practitioners' peaceful efforts against the persecution, commenting that they stood fast facing the brutal persecution and used the most peaceful ways to safeguard their human rights and freedom of belief. He said that their peaceful stand had far-reaching influence in the world. Mr. Good said that it was significant and extraordinary for Falun Gong practitioners to tell people their stories through such beautiful art.