Practitioners and Supporters in 58 Countries Express Gratitude to Founder of Falun Gong on World Falun Dafa Day

On May 13, practitioners and supporters from 58 countries and regions sent greetings to Falun Gong founder Mr. Li Hongzhi for World Falun Dafa Day.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and call for an end to persecution in China, in New York City, on May 13, 2026. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

May 13 marked the 27th World Falun Dafa Day and the birthday of Falun Gong founder Mr. Li Hongzhi. It also commemorated the 34th anniversary of the spiritual practice’s public introduction in Changchun, China, in 1992.

Falun Gong practitioners and supporters from 58 countries and regions sent thousands of greetings, cards, videos, artworks, music recordings, poems, paintings, and calligraphy works to Minghui.org, a website that serves as a platform for Falun Gong practitioners worldwide to share experiences and report on the practice. Many expressed deep gratitude for the teachings that have profoundly affected their lives.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional spiritual discipline that combines gentle exercises and meditation with teachings on moral improvement. Introduced by Mr. Li Hongzhi on May 13, 1992, it is based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The practice is offered free of charge worldwide. Since 1992, it has spread to more than 100 countries and regions, with the main book Zhuan Falun translated into more than 50 languages. It has received tens of thousands of awards and proclamations globally.

Greetings From China

In mainland China, where the Chinese Communist Party has persecuted Falun Gong since 1999, open celebration is impossible. Practitioners sent greetings anonymously to Minghui.org for safety reasons. These heartfelt messages came from a broad cross-section of society—including doctors and nurses, teachers, civil servants, financial professionals, military members and veterans, workers, farmers, students, and retirees—spanning 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.

Notable among them were greetings from practitioners still imprisoned or held in detention centers in provinces such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, and Hebei. Despite harsh conditions, they found ways to send their well-wishes.

Overseas Celebrations and Personal Stories

Overseas practitioners celebrated openly with parades, gatherings, singing, dancing, and cultural events in cities across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Many also sent personal messages to Minghui.org. Some shared their experiences with The Epoch Times.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and call for an end to persecution in China, in New York City, on May 13, 2026. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

Erik Meltzer, a Washington-based entrepreneur who began practicing 26 years ago, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times that following the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance has profoundly shaped his daily life in both good times and bad.

“I am very grateful to Master Li for making Falun Dafa available publicly, and that I encountered it during high school,” he said.

Christine Connor, a Western acupuncturist in Los Angeles, said she started practicing in 2011 after learning about the persecution and being moved by practitioners’ steadfast faith.

“My life is transforming, and I have stepped onto a completely new path,” she told The Epoch Times.

On World Falun Dafa Day, she wished the practice’s founder a happy birthday.

“Thank you for your boundless compassion and for everything you have given us,” she said.

Anna Hu in Toronto began practicing in 2016 after having watched several Falun Gong parades. She told The Epoch Times that the practice transformed her previously strained relationship with her mother into one of genuine love and care. Her daughter also started practicing after attending events, she said.

Edmund Bekes, a senior employee in Australia’s dairy industry with 37 years at a multinational company, has practiced for only a few months but said he already feels clear positive changes in body and mind. He described the core principles as “very beautiful ... beneficial to the mind, keeping one calm and relaxed” even in stressful work situations.

Non-Practitioners Also Send Greetings

Many people who do not practice Falun Gong also expressed appreciation to Mr. Li Hongzhi.

Rao Xing, a former member of the Chinese Armed Police now living in Europe, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times that the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance represent values of honesty, kindness, and tolerance that are sorely lacking in China under communist rule. He wished Mr. Li and all practitioners safety and well-being.

Wu Qixuan, 31, a former public health supervisor from Tangshan, Hebei Province, now living in the United States, told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that he wished Mr. Li a happy birthday. He credited software tools developed by Falun Gong practitioners for helping people like him access uncensored information online. Wu noted that the practice’s principles carry positive value for personal morality and social relationships, whether or not one practices the exercises.

Photos and Greeting Cards

Minghui.org published hundreds of photos of greeting cards, handmade artworks, paintings, and calligraphy pieces sent from around the world. Many cards featured traditional Chinese artistic styles, expressing respect and gratitude. Overseas events also generated vibrant photos of performance and group celebrations filled with colorful banners and joyful participants.

On this special day, both practitioners and supporters highlighted the universal appeal of Falun Gong’s teachings and expressed hope that more people would benefit from its moral principles in the years ahead.