On May 13, 1992, in a humble schoolhouse in northeastern China, Mr. Li Hongzhi began teaching Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa), introducing to modern China a practice with roots extending back thousands of years. By early 1999, there were 70 to 100 million people practicing Falun Gong in China alone, their slow-moving meditative exercises visible at dawn in parks across the country.
Eighteen years later, Falun Gong has transcended cultural and national boundaries to bring physical health, joy, and peace of mind to millions of others around the globe. From Cape Town to Cannes, Bangledesh to Berlin, Tokyo to Tehran, Falun Gong is practiced in over 100 countries, its teachings freely available in 30 languages. Even under harsh persecution, tens of millions in China continue to practice.
And so, on May 13, 2010, Falun Gong practitioners and their supporters around the world are celebrating World Falun Dafa Day, giving thanks to Mr. Li for his teachings and the goodness they have brought to people’s lives. Among other celebrations, hundreds of colorful greetings have flowed from China to be posted on overseas Falun Gong websites.
At the core of Falun Gong's teachings is the understanding that Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance is the fundamental nature of all lives and all things. As they seek to assimilate to these values in their daily thoughts and actions, practitioners have found not only a sense of inner calm and optimism even in the most dire of circumstances, but also a profound understanding of life and the universe around them.
With Falun Gong's global spread since 1992, millions of people have seen disease symptoms disappear, resolved family differences, forgiven those who have harmed them, and discovered the true power of kindness.
It is this gift that they celebrate today.
- Posted by John Smithies
