Video: Falun Dafa Around the World

In the vast history of time, the life of a human being is as brief as a summer flower. Within the colossal firmament of the universe, man's wisdom is no more significant than a mustard seed. Since ancient times, generation after generation of wise people have spent their lives searching for the eternal truths of life and the universe.

For many, that search ended in May of 1992, when Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced to the public the great cultivation way of the Buddha's school in which he himself had enlightened -- Falun Dafa.

Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, is a cultivation practice based on the universal principle of "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance". Through five sets of slow, gentle exercises, and guided by the principle of "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance", Falun Gong practitioners cultivate their minds and bodies with the goal of returning to their original, true selves.

Before July 1999, Falun Gong enjoyed great popularity throughout China. Even the Chinese government supported the practice for the benefits it brought to people as well as their families, work and communities. Chinese newspapers and TV stations reported favourably about Falun Gong. Falun Gong practitioners could be seen practicing their exercises in public parks and community centres throughout China.

Falun Gong's founder, Mr. Li HongZhi, received numerous awards and recognition.

In December 1993, Mr. Li was honoured with "The Award for Advancing Emerging Science" and the title of "Qigong Master Most Acclaimed by the People" at the 1993 Oriental Health Expo in Beijing.

On December 27th of that same year, the China's Heroes Foundation, an affiliate of the Public Security Ministry, presented Mr. Li Hongzhi with an honorary award for his volunteer work.

In 1995, Mr. Li published, Zhuan Falun. One year later, it was rated one of the top-ten best selling books in China by the Beijing Youth Daily.

In May 1995, Mr. Li was invited to teach Falun Gong in Sweden and France. And thus began the spreading of Falun Dafa to the rest of the world.

In North America, thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people practice Falun Dafa. In the United States, Falun Dafa practice sites have been established in 44 of the 50 states.

[Interview #1 in Spanish]

"My name is Emily Myers. I started practicing Falun Gong a year ago. I'm very happy to become a Falun Dafa practitioner. I have been looking for a way to cultivate myself since a young age and hope that I become a good person. Falun Dafa is the cultivation way that I'm looking for.

[Interview #2 in English]

In Australia and New Zealand, Falun Dafa practice sites are found in all major cities.

In Asia, there are Falun Dafa practitioners in 15 countries and regions outside China. In Taiwan alone, close to 100,000 people practice Falun Gong.

Interview in Japanese: "My name is Wang Jing Wei, I'm a high-school student in Japan. I've been practicing Falun Gong for 4 and half years."

"Why do I practice Falun Gong? Falun Gong can let you find yourself and let a person return to his original true self and continuously improve himself."
[Interview #3 in Romanian]

"My name is Steve and I'm from Romania. I have been practicing Falun Gong for 6 months. I truly experience significant improvement in my physical condition, mental well-being, and life quality."

In Europe, Falun Dafa is practiced in 23 countries. The majority of practitioners are Westerners.

Why has Falun Gong spread so quickly to so many countries and attracted so many people of different ages, races, religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds? The reason is simple. It is because Falun Dafa is a righteous cultivation way and those who practice it benefit tremendously both mentally and physically. It is through their personal experience of Falun Dafa that practitioners are able to show their families and friends the benefits of the practice. In this way, Falun Dafa has quickly spread to every corner of the world, from person to person, family to family.
[Interview # 4 in English]

In South America and Africa, people are discovering and embracing Falun Dafa.

Falun Dafa cultivators can even be found in the icy Antarctic.

In addition to the exercises, an important part of the practice is the cultivation of xinxing, which means "heart and mind nature", or "moral quality". The book, Zhuan Falun, is a systematic guide that directs a practitioner's cultivation. Zhuan Falun and other Falun Gong books have been translated into over 20 languages and published around the world. All Falun Dafa books, music, and videos can be downloaded for free from the internet. Falun Dafa practitioners all volunteer their time to teach others the exercises. From over 110 Falun Dafa websites, people can easily find information about practice sites and volunteers near them.

Since its was introduced to the public in 1992, Falun Dafa has spread to over 55 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Antarctica. As Mr. Li has written:

"Dafa is spreading broadly,
Those who hear about it look for it,
Those who obtain it cherish it,
The number of cultivators grows day by day,
And they are countless."

In contrast to the senseless and brutal persecution of Falun Gong and Falun Gong practitioners by Jiang Zemin's regime in China, governments of other nations around the world welcome and support Falun Dafa.

Governments in the U.S., Canada and Australia have presented many honours and awards to Falun Gong and Mr. Li for his contribution to the physical and mental well being of humanity. Local, state and national governments in each country have proclaimed Falun Dafa Days, Falun Dafa Weeks and even Falun Dafa Months to honour and support this peaceful practice of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance.

In August of 1994, Mr. Li Hongzhi was named Honorary Citizen and Goodwill Ambassador by the city of Houston. October 12, 1996, the day Mr. Li gave his first lecture in Houston, was proclaimed "Houston Master Li Hongzhi Day." In May 1999, then-lieutenant governor of Ontario, Hilary Weston, and the mayor of Toronto, Mel Lastman, sent their formal greetings to attendees of the international conference commemorating the 7th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction.

In June 1999, Mr. Li was awarded the Illinois Treasurer's Award for Outstanding Services. The governor of Illinois sent a letter of support and appreciation to Mr. Li. Then-mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Dailey, proclaimed June 25th, 1999 as "Chicago Master Li Hongzhi Day."

In August that same year, the mayor of Washington D.C. proclaimed August 9th through the 13th as Falun Dafa week.

In a congratulatory letter celebrating their own Falun Dafa week, Canada's Governor General, Andrienne Clarkson, wrote of Falun Gong practitioners: "They cultivate the will to live in peace with themselves and in harmony with the universe, thus learning compassion for others and helping to create a more open and tolerant society."

On October 8th, 2000, practitioners in Burwood, Australia celebrated the first Falun Dafa Day in that country.

In 2001, the mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand, Mr. Remmington, also proclaimed Falun Dafa Day.

In March of 2001, Freedom House, a prestigious human rights organization in the U.S., publicly honoured Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa.

Today, Falun Dafa and Mr. Li have received over 600 awards and proclamations from governments around the world.

Like a pure stream, Falun Dafa has flowed out of the land of China to the people of the world. Its universal principle of "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance" is regarded by many as the moral foundation sought by people and their families, businesses and communities.

Falun Dafa belongs to all humanity, and all humanity welcomes "Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance."