(Minghui.org) On the eve of the 2019 Taiwan Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference, an estimated 6,000 practitioners gathered at Liberty Square in Taipei on November 16, 2019, to do the exercises and participate in a large-scale character formation.  The character formation celebrated the practice of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) and the fact that it is practiced throughout the world. Besides thousands of practitioners from Taiwan, another 1,150 Dafa practitioners from 18 countries – including Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Argentina, Ukraine, U.S., Spain, Russia, Hong Kong, Macau, Canada, Germany, Australia, Israel, and Brazil – also took part in the activities.

An estimated 6,000 practitioners form Chinese characters to celebrate the spread of Falun Dafa worldwide. Above the map the characters read "Truthfulness," "Compassion," and "Forbearance." Below the map the characters translate as, "The Great Law spreads vast and wide."

About 6,000 practitioners do the Falun Dafa exercises together.

Celebrating the Spread of Falun Dafa Worldwide

The theme of this year's character and image formation was the spread of the spiritual practice worldwide. The image measured 88 meters wide by 101 meters long. Above a map of the world were three Chinese characters for “Truthfulness,” “Compassion” and “Forbearance,” which comprise the guiding principles of Falun Dafa. Below the map were characters that translate as “The Great Law spreads vast and wide.”

Many tourists were drawn to the grandeur of the character formation. According to Ms. Huang Chunmei, vice president of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, this year's activity is especially meaningful, as it is held on Liberty Square in Taipei. Liberty Square is a popular tourist spot visited by people from around the world, including many from China.

Mr. Wu Qingxiang designed the image and characters formation. He hopes that as a result of seeing the character formation, people will get to know more about Falun Dafa, including the improvement in physical health and moral standards that the practice brings to society.

Tourists take photos of the character formation.

Visitors to Liberty Square read the Falun Dafa display boards.

Fabian (left), a practitioner from Munich, Germany, introduces the practice to a tourist.

Mainland Chinese: Falun Dafa Improves One's Character

Mr. Liu, from China, was visiting Taiwan for the second time. He said that he learned the truth about Falun Dafa by using software that allowed him to break through the internet firewall in China. He is aware that people in more than 100 countries can practice Dafa freely and thinks that Dafa's principles improve one's character and moral values.

He said he hopes that people in China can one day elect their own government as do the people of Taiwan. He also said that he hopes that Taiwanese citizens treasure this freedom.

Raising Awareness of the Persecution

Ms. Cai brought her friend from France to visit Liberty Square. This was the first time she'd witnessed a large-scale character formation. She stood and listened while a practitioner talked about Dafa to her friend, as well as why this practice is persecuted in China. She understood the brutality of the suppression, and why practitioners persist in raising public awareness about what has been taking place in China. It is also a precious opportunity for those from China who have been misled by the Communist government's anti-Falun Gong propaganda to learn the truth about the practice.

An Engineer from France Hopes to Hear More about Falun Dafa

Prehez, from France, was impressed by the character formation.

Prehez, an engineer from France, was in Taiwan on a business trip. He said, “This is the first time I've heard of Falun Dafa. This is a beautiful and amazing scene.”

He read the information on a display board, and said that he would search the internet for more information about Falun Dafa when he returns to France.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Wonderful

Remy from the Philippines thinks it's great to pass on the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Several groups of tourists from the Philippines saw the character formation and became very curious about Falun Dafa.

Ms. Remy Hernandez said to her friend that she now has a better understanding of Falun Dafa, and its core values. This was the first time she had seen something so grand and she said she thought that it was a very meaningful activity.

Tourists from the Philippines were amazed by the large-scale character formation.

The Principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Resonate with Tourists

Mr. Suzuki visited Liberty Square with several Japanese youths. They agreed that the world would be a better place if everyone followed Falun Dafa's principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Mr. Marco, who is from Italy, his mother, and his girlfriend enjoyed the character formation. Marco said that he'd read about Falun Dafa on the internet and found it amazing to see so many practitioners doing the exercises together. He said he believes that the principles of Falun Dafa are great, and that everyone should have the right to pursue their faith.

Mr. He from Hong Kong was visiting tourist spots in Taiwan. He stood still for a long time watching the character formation. When practitioners explained the meaning of the activity, he was visibly moved and said he hopes that the young generation in Hong Kong will soon enjoy the same freedoms enjoyed in Taiwan.

Chinese version available

Category: Parades & Other Community Events