World Falun Dafa day Around the World

Falun Dafa practitioners perform the “Water Sleeves” dance during a World Falun Dafa Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington on May 5, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

I recently reported on just one World Falun Dafa Day event, that happened this past May. In its 26th year, the practice was introduced by Mr. Li Hongzhi, in May of 1992 in China.

Falun Dafa is a cultivation practice. In Dafa, the individual works on his or her mind, body, and spirit by doing five sets of exercises and living according to the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Liu Dexi performing one of the Falun Dafa exercises on the National Mall in Washington on May 5, 2018. (Lisa Fan/Epoch Times)

But around the world, there were celebrations occurring in celebration of Falun Dafa’s 26th year and inform others of the human rights abuses the Chinese communist party has been inflicting on practitioners of Falun Dafa in China and abroad since it was outlawed in 1999.

There were more than 30 events worldwide, celebrating World Falun Dafa Day this year. A conservative estimate of over 40,000 practitioners attended, either in parades or in other activities occurring during the celebration.

In New York City, over 1,000 gathered to create huge Chinese characters at a park at Governors Island, New York, according to NTD.tv.

According to the Epoch Times, in Washington DC, over 3,000 practitioners held a candlelight vigil at the Washington Monument to remember those who have died during the persecution that began in 1999.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a candlelight vigil to commemorate the practitioners killed in China for their belief, in Washington on June 22, 2018. (Mark Zou/The Epoch Times)

Around the world, many governments at all levels, from local to national leaders acknowledged Falun Dafa and both its positive impact for those that practice it, and the persecution, which they have also condemned.

Weiwei honors her sister, Gao Rongrong, who was killed in communist China for her belief in Falun Gong, in Washington on June 22, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Countless people have been persecuted, for practicing Falun Dafa, sacrificing their freedom, livelihoods or their lives for their faith. Currently, there are documented cases of practitioners being falsely imprisoned in labor camps, or psychiatric hospitals.  Many thousands have lost their jobs, their homes, and been forcibly separated from their children for practicing Falun Dafa.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade on May 13, 2018, in New York City. (Jose Rivera/The Epoch Times)

World Falun Dafa Day is celebrated every year in May to both celebrate the introduction to the practice for millions of practitioners around the world and remind others of the many practitioners who have been victims of the persecution.