Ireland: Demonstrating Falun Gong to the People of Donegal

Our hearts were happy and a little sad at the same time. Happy with the great prospect that lay before us; sad because it was the third anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. We were aware of the press conference taking place in Dublin. The gathering of all the Irish practitioners in the City Centre to Hong Fa [inform people about Falun Dafa] and be addressed by prominent politicians and other friends of Falun Dafa culminating in the march through the City ending outside the Chinese Embassy. We were to be absent from taking part in these great activities regrettably, but we were embarking on a special mission, a mission that as it happened had a profound effect on many individuals as well as ourselves.

We arrived at Clonmany Community Centre at about 1.PM delighted to see a large poster proclaiming that there would be a talk on Falun Gong and a demonstration of the exercises. Our hosts welcomed us warmly. There were lots of people about; the perimeter of the centre housed several stands offering all kinds of alternative ways of attaining positive health. We had time to spare, which we used to distribute flyers and to talk to several people. This allowed us to get the feel of how people were thinking and to establish whether they had any prior knowledge about Falun Gong. The results were surprising. One young man said he travelled over sixty miles to hear about Falun Gong and went on to say that he knew all about the persecution but nothing about Falun Gong itself.

At 2.PM sharp our turn came. An announcement was made through the acoustic system. Gradually the seats began to fill up in front of the stage. We switched on the Pudu (Chinese) music after which a serene and tranquil environment began to take shape. Two kind men helped me from my Wheel-chair on to my special seat which I had brought along. I was handed a microphone and began my very important task. We were dressed in yellow. As I began to speak, I explained to the large audience the significance of Falun Dafa in the world today, the place in our lives of the three virtues Truthfulness, Benevolence and Forbearance, how to become a better person and the need to begin to be aware of and put into practice in our daily lives these three virtues. I then summarised the present status of Falun Gong in the world today and the events leading up to the persecution. The truth of the persecution visibly affected the audience and by now most of the stallholders had left their posts and joined us. We displayed the books Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun and talked briefly about how and where they could be obtained and the power contained within them. I then asked for questions which I answered calmly and according to the principles of Dafa.

We then demonstrated the five exercises which concluded our task. I thanked everyone for coming and hoped they would obtain the books and begin the practice.

We thanked our hosts for giving us the opportunity to be with so many good and kind people. As a mark of our respect we presented them with a copy of Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun which were graciously received and warmly applauded by all present.

We continued talking with the people for some time. We distributed flyers and VCDs to all who requested them. There were lots of children to whom we gave Dafa greeting cards. We were continually answering questions and telling people about our own cultivation experiences. Everyone remarked on the beauty and gentleness of the exercises and the Pudu music. We became aware of the great hunger that is in the hearts of the people for something peaceful and righteous. At the same time our own cultivation was being tested. We bade farewell to the good and kind people of Clonmany. We made a promise to come back again.