Peaceful exercises on floats, girls in ancient Chinese costumes and a marching band consisting predominantly of Chinese faces were part of a parade that made its way through the heart of Sydney celebrating the spiritual practice Falun Dafa.
Some of the estimated 400 people who joined the World Falun Dafa Day parade had come from a nearby park where they had finished the practice’s exercises and meditation.
Situated in China Town, where activities followed the parade, mounted photos on display included images of large groups of Chinese doing the exercises, a common sight in parks throughout China during much of the 1990s.
Along with exercises, Sydney practitioner John Della said the practice consists of teachings based upon the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.
“On the 13th of May 1992, Falun Dafa was introduced to the world in China,” said Mr Della. “Since then, in 17 years, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, has become popular and cherished all over the world.”
Ten years ago the then ruler of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zhemin, fearing Falun Dafa’s popularity, instigated a massive and brutal persecution that continues today against millions of Chinese who adhered to the practice.
“So we are here also to honour the practitioners in China who also keep continuing to help people in China and around the world know the truth that Falun Dafa is a wonderful practice – wonderful for your health, wonderful for your heart and wonderful for your mind.”
