Teachers at Yarra Glen Primary School display the finished lotus flower bookmarks after the Petals of Peace workshop. (The Epoch Times)

“Wow! Aren’t they beautiful!” remarked a young school girl as she looked at the tiny paper lotus flowers.

At Yarra Glen Primary School in south-east Melbourne, children in grades 5 and 6 were learning how to make intricate paper lotus flowers at the “Petals of Peace” hands-on workshop.

Workshop presenter Janine Rankin says that children love making the flowers, but there’s more to it than enjoyment.

“We are making these flowers not just for the fun of knowing how to fold them,” she explains, “but to encourage school children to be compassionate and think about others – especially other children who are less fortunate.”

Yarra Glen Primary School is situated in Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley and emanates an atmosphere of friendliness. The school, which has a 135-year-old history, promotes high principles and supports human rights issues that involve other children.

The school principal Joe Pacquola says: “One of our core values that drives the school is mutual respect and this is something that can be taken right through life.”

In November last year, the school took part in the Global Human Rights Torch Relay and last month they participated in the Petals of Peace project, which invites children of all ages to fold an origami lotus flower as a gesture of peace and to encourage children to think of others.

Before the workshop began, the children formed a circle of welcome for the presenters. They listened attentively as Janine explained that lotus flowers in Chinese culture represent virtuous individuals who maintain a high moral standard in society.

Janine described some of the qualities of the lotus flower – how it grows and what it represents, that it symbolises beauty, serenity and peace and that the flower itself grows out of the mud and darkness yet still maintains its purity.

While making the flowers, the children were encouraged to think of other children less fortunate than themselves, particularly the many innocent children in China who are denied their freedom. Janine explained that thousands of children have been orphaned in China because their parents have been killed or tortured in forced labour camps and prisons for practising the traditional meditation and exercise discipline of Falun Gong, whose guiding principles are Truth, Compassion and Tolerance.

“In every way children are the innocent ones,” said Janine. “If everyone contributes to developing friendships and international understanding, the world’s children will be able to look forward to a brighter future.”

About Petals of Peace

The Petals of Peace project aims to encourage tolerance towards cultural diversity and to inspire compassion for the suffering of others. It provides an opportunity to promote a greater understanding of the values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

The project was initiated in 2003 by Australian Jane Dai and her daughter Fadu after Fadu’s father was tortured to death in China. After her husband’s death, Ms Dai embarked on a global journey to raise awareness of the brutality of the persecution of Falun Gong, which has taken her to the UN.

Human Rights Commission in Geneva and to countries throughout the world.

Petals of Peace workshops have been held in many Australian schools, libraries and community groups.

For more information, visit: http://www.petalsofpeace.com