Sweden: World Falun Dafa Day Celebrations in Stockholm

On the morning of the 13th of May, 2010, practitioners in Sweden held group exercise demonstrations at Kungstradgarden in the centre of Stockholm to celebrate the 11th World Falun Dafa Day and to wish the founder of Falun Gong, Mr. Li Hongzhi, a happy 59th birthday.

It is the season of cherry blossoms in Kungstradgarden. There was a continuous stream of flower admirers. Attracted by the mellow music and relaxing movements, many Swedes joined to learn the exercises.

Demonstrating the exercises

Signing names to support Falun Gong

Telling people about the CCP's human rights abuses.

Learning the exercises

Reading display boards to find out more

Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) is a high-level cultivation practice guided by the characteristics of the universe--Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance--and was first brought to the public by the founder Mr. Li Hongzhi on the 13th of May 1992. Following these principles, millions of practitioners were able to reach very high realms, bringing significant improvements to health, morality, and social stability.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), however, started a comprehensive persecution of the practice in July 1999, which has led to over 3,000 deaths and over 100,000 incarcerations. Millions of relatives, friends or colleagues have been implicated or brainwashed to varying degrees. The CCP-controlled media continues to fabricate lies to slander Falun Gong and deceive people.

Despite such brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners continue to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and clarify the truth of Falun Gong. Today, the universal principles have been spread to over 100 countries.

Member of Parliament praises principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

MP Cecilia Wikstrom spoke highly of the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, saying, "I think these are very good values. The Falun Gong practitioners that I know are all very considerate. They think about others, rather than just themselves. They hope to live in happiness and health. Kindness and consideration for others are all important values."

Ms. Ternstain, who works in the Ministry of Agriculture, and her daughter tried for the first time to complete a standing exercise. Afterwards they felt marvellous.

Her daughter Charlotte said, "I had a headache, which went away after the exercise. I think the practice is great for the spirit."

Many asked for details of the practice sites. Some bought Falun Gong books and exercise DVDs. There was a great amount of interest in learning the practice.

Found the true meaning of life after learning about Falun Gong

Ms. Liu immigrated to Sweden from China two years ago. Here, she learned the truth of Falun Gong. She said that Falun Gong helped her find the true meaning of life.

Early this morning a grateful Ms. Liu took a train from a small town in northern Sweden to attend the celebrations. She said, "I read the Falun Gong book, which tells people to be truthful, compassionate and tolerant. The book Zhuan Falun tells us why there is sickness, death and unhappiness, which everyone may encounter in his or her life. I have been thinking ever since I read the book. I have been searching for the true meaning of life... The book was a big shock to my system."

She felt very lucky and proud to have seen Shen Yun performances two years in a row and learned the truth of Falun Gong in the short time since she came abroad. She also felt sorry for her family and friends in China who live in the CCP's lies. She said, "In that kind of environment you had to believe them. In fact I loathed the CCP. Once a friend told me that Falun Gong is not what they made it out to be in the propaganda. Falun Gong is good. I didn't pay much attention. I saw notes of 'Falun Gong is good' when I was in China. I thought then that they (Falun Gong practitioners) are quite tough. I was rather impressed as it must be very dangerous to do those things."

Within four months of arriving in Sweden, she attended a Shen Yun performance with her husband. She said words could not describe what she felt from the show. Each piece was so real. She could not stop her tears.

Nowadays Ms. Liu is grateful for Master's merciful salvation from the bottom of her heart. Her greatest wish right now is for more Chinese people to learn the truth of Falun Gong like she did as soon as possible, to see through the evil nature of the CCP, and to remember "Falun Gong is good" for a bright future for the whole family.