World Falun Dafa Day in Sydney, Australia

World Falun Dafa Day was celebrated on Sunday, May 13, in Sydney, in Tumbalong Park, at Darling Harbour.

Practitioners organized the event very well. Information booths were arranged all around the park offering details to the curious onlookers about the practice, demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises, giving the history and explaining some of the virtues of following Dafa [Great Law]. It was also a cultural fair celebrating the talents and diversity of practitioners in Australia -- exhibits included artists, calligraphy, singing and dancing.

All of the assistants and performers on the day were practitioners, and all of us worked voluntarily. This was possibly a reason for the good atmosphere created at the festival. Every one of the workers and the performers has had our lives improved by Falun Dafa, and we feel gratitude for those benefits. Everyone had sincere hearts, and the effects could be felt around the park.

Many practitioners stood on stage and shared their experiences with the practice. Falun Dafa deeply touches the lives of all those who have opened themselves to it, and so many practitioners have stories and experiences to share. The atmosphere in the park was very conducive to sharing sincerely. No one speaking was a professional, and there were no rehearsals, or trial runs. The spirit of the day was such that, with perhaps a few butterflies in the stomach, practitioners could stand on the stage in Darling Harbour in front of hundreds of strangers, and talk about their own personal experiences.

For me, my belief in the practice was strengthened by the Day. To see how an event runs when it is run with sincerity, truthfulness, kindness and acceptance showed me the way Falun Dafa can improve the world today. There was no grumbling about, or even thought given, to the long hours and hard work. Helping the people learn more about Falun Dafa, and celebrating its impact in our lives kept me buoyant. To be surrounded by hundreds of people who live their lives trying to be truthful, compassionate and tolerant strengthened these virtues in myself, and showed how the world could be. It was the practitioners' own belief, and the strength of the teachings themselves that made the day a success.

Members of the public joined in to enjoy the barbecue, and the buffet -- It wasn't about scoring a free lunch, it was about accepting the generosity of practitioners. Strangers were talking all across the field during the meal times. While I was eating my dinner, watching a "balloon soccer" match taking place, a shy but deeply puzzled young man came over to me, and asked if he could ask me a question. And so we talked for half an hour on the lawn in the afternoon sun, and all around us were similar groups in two's and three's. The public and practitioners mixed, I just enjoyed a place that had been made special because of the way we all chose to trust each other.

Thousands of people walked through on this day, and took the time to reach out to understand what these two unfamiliar words "Falun, Dafa" could possibly mean. I sensed a yearning that a lot of people have a notion that there is something more to life in a society that can be achieved. There have been a growing number of people turning to Eastern religions, therapies, martial arts and Qigong over the years, suspecting that the answers to only half-perceived questions might be there. I have discovered that these emotional intuitions were justified when I finally found Falun Dafa, and the energy and success of World Falun Dafa Day showed that I am not alone in feeling this way.

Festivals took place across the world last Sunday, all celebrating Teacher Li's birthday, and the healing and strengthening influence of Falun Dafa.