On May 13, more than 1,000 lawmakers sent congratulatory messages for World Falun Dafa Day on the 30th anniversary of the spiritual practice’s introduction.
On May 13, 1992, Li Hongzhi first introduced the meditation practice, also known as Falun Gong, in Changchun, China. The practice’s core tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance and its emphasis on morality resonated with millions of people across the nation, and the practice soon spread to the rest of the world.
May 13 also marks Li’s birthday. Around this time every year, Falun Gong practitioners worldwide celebrate the occasion by holding parades and performances, often joined by people from all walks of life, including lawmakers, who praise the practice’s positive impact on society.
United States
In the United States, municipal and state lawmakers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington state, Delaware, Minnesota, Virginia, Indiana, Texas, Maryland, Nevada, Massachusetts, Missouri, California, and Michigan passed resolutions and proclamations in recognition of Falun Dafa’s dedication to upholding truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
In anticipation of World Falun Dafa Day, New York state adopted resolution No. 2278 to commemorate the occasion and commend the practice’s moral teachings and “remarkable” health benefits.
“The Falun Dafa philosophy espouses the idea that when the heart is pure, the mind balanced, and the body energized, health and happiness are a natural outcome,” the resolution states, adding that the practice “goes beyond the pursuit of health and fitness to the goal of greater wisdom and enlightenment.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Conference, sent a certificate of special congressional recognition to Falun Dafa practitioners in upstate New York commemorating their “perseverance in face of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.), in joining the Falun Dafa Day celebration, issued a certificate of special recognition to Li.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) posted on Twitter his congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day on May 13 and said he “stands with those who peacefully practice their faith,” while calling for a stop to the persecution of Falun Gong and other religious groups.
Rubio, along with many others, has long opposed the Chinese Communist Party’s clampdown on religious liberty in China and the regime’s decades-long persecution of Falun Gong.
“Falun Dafa, a self-improvement Qigong practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture, consists of five exercises and strong moral and ethical principles. As we celebrate this festive occasion, we should reflect on the teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf stated in a May 13 letter to the Philadelphia Falun Dafa Association.
This year, the Pennsylvania state Legislature raised the American flag on May 13 to commemorate the special day and thank Li for his contribution to society.
“The United States was founded on the principle of unalienable human rights, including the freedom of religion,” said Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), who has been voicing his support for those oppressed by the CCP, including Falun Dafa.
Canada
In Canada, more than 100 legislators from the Liberal, Conservative, and Green parties sent well-wishes to adherents of Falun Dafa. In addition, around 20 cities have held flag-raising ceremonies acknowledging the occasion.“The Falun Dafa practices of meditation and inward reflection are helpful to millions of practitioners all over the world,” Candice Bergen, interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and leader of the official opposition, said in a May 10 letter. “Many Canadians enjoy the comfort and stability that are offered through this system of self-improvement.”
“Many of the values that we cherish today—compassion, generosity, and justice—are anchored in spiritual traditions. Inherent among those who practice is the courage to continuously see positive transformation in one’s own life and society,” Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the lieutenant governor of Ontario, said in a May 13 letter. “Communities rooted in spirituality have played an important role in building the social fabric of our province.”
Falun Dafa’s values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance have “so much meaning” in modern times, Liberal member of Parliament Kevin Lamoureux said in his greetings letter.
“The universal values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, which are at the heart of Falun Dafa, are also ideals for Canada,” said Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MP and leadership candidate. “I appreciate your contribution to bring these values to life in Canada for a more healthy, peaceful, tolerant, and compassionate society.”
“Falun Dafa hao. Falun Dafa is good,” Canadian MP John Brassard said in a video statement.
MP Garnett Genuis, in addition to sending greetings to Falun Dafa adherents in a video, presented a bill currently in the Canadian Parliament (S.223) that “highlights the horrific persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.”
“Action is urgently required to address human rights abuses impacting all of the people living in China,” Genuis said in the video. “Falun Gong practitioners, in particular, have been victims, in spite of the fact that their simple activity is a spiritual practice seeking to advance the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.”
United Kingdom
“Decades on from the beginning of this intolerable practice [persecution of Falun Gong], it is unacceptable that it is still allowed to take place,” MP Ian Murray said in his message to Falun Dafa adherents in the UK. “The persecution of any groups, in China, and across the world, is unacceptable, and the Chinese government should be held accountable.”“Freedom of religion and freedom of belief is one of the fundamental and inalienable human rights each person deserves,” MP Cat Smith stated in her congratulatory message to local Falun Dafa practitioners, who held celebrations in London on May 7.
She shared her hopeful outlook for a prosperous future in Falun Dafa practitioners’ campaigning to bring about change.
“I can assure you that I will continue to press the UK government to send a clear message that we will not stand by and we will not tolerate such gross abuses of human rights,” MP Feryal Clark said.
Clark cited a report by the China Tribunal, an independent nonprofit, which concluded “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the Chinese regime is committing crimes against humanity by forcibly and systematically harvesting organs from Falun Dafa practitioners and other minority groups such as Uyghurs and Tibetans.
“Whatever our religious, spiritual, or political beliefs, we are united in our humanity,” Benedict Rogers, vice-chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Conservative Party, said. “The regime in Beijing must be held accountable. Justice must be done. Truth must be told. And accountability must be achieved.”
Rogers is working on a book on the oppression of Falun Gong practitioners and others in China who face persecution from the communist regime.
Australia
On May 5, Falun Dafa practitioners in Australia held celebrations in Sydney that began with doing the five exercises of the practice next to the Sydney Opera House. They were sent wishes and commendations by lawmakers around the country, who commended them for the values the adherents of the spiritual practice are promoting in society.“Truthfulness, compassion, forbearance are powerful values, and ones we would do well to learn from and emulate,” Sen. Janet Rice said in a letter to the Falun Dafa Association of Australia. “I welcome Falun Dafa’s deep moral and cultural tradition, and the contribution made by its practitioners here in Australia and around the world.”
MP Bernie Finn joined an event held by Australian Falun Dafa practitioners on May 13. He said he is always happy to be with practitioners, and he commended their perseverance.
Those in the CCP are “bullies” and “thugs,” Finn told people at the rally. He noted that Falun Dafa’s peaceful beliefs made the CCP afraid, which drove the communist regime to launch the persecution against innocent people.
Sweden
“Falun Dafa has been introduced for 30 years,” said Swedish MP Ann-Sofie Alm. “I believe this practice will be passed on in human society for a very, very long time. I wish you a happy Falun Dafa Day!”“Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance are good!” Alm said in Chinese.
Joining her sentiment were 14 of her colleagues in the Swedish Parliament and two former lawmakers, who wrote a letter commending the practice’s core tenets.
“On May 13, 2022, World Falun Dafa Day, the practice celebrates its 30th anniversary,” the letter reads. “Truth, compassion, and tolerance are especially important during and after the pandemic, where the individual’s health, responsibility, and own development are more important than ever. Falun Dafa has contributed to diversity, choice, and peace in society. With this statement, we truly want to send warmest congratulations.”
Switzerland
Joining the celebratory messages were members of the National Council of Switzerland, including Francois Pointet, Laurence Fehlmann-Rielle, Isabelle Pasquier, and Nicolas Walder, as well as legislators from around the nation.“Everyone will identify with the values they advocate: benevolence, tolerance, and truthfulness,” Fehlmann-Rielle said. “We cannot understand that China persecutes such people and continues to harass them. The key is that the international community should continue to pay attention to this and urge the Chinese regime to stop the persecution.”
Pasquier commended the peaceful efforts of Falun Dafa practitioners in resisting oppression: “Your courage, peacefulness, and perseverance in the face of years of persecution are exemplary.”
Walder sent his greetings to Li Hongzhi. “Wishing the founder of Falun Dafa, Mr. Li Hongzhi, a happy birthday! And wishing everyone a wonderful May 13th!”
Ireland
“I welcome the health, moral, and intrinsic values that Falun Dafa practitioners hold, and how their work transcends cultural and racial divides. The inhumane treatment of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese authorities is unacceptable and undermines human dignity. I condemn this repression while supporting the right [of Falun Gong practitioners in China] to practice freely,” said Irish Teachta Dála Niamh Smyth in a letter.“It is regrettable that [Falun Dafa] such a benign practice with sublime ideals is persecuted by the [CCP],” said Cork City councilor Deirdre Forde. “[This is] the persecution of human and individual freedom, which is fundamentally immoral.”
Joining them were a dozen Irish lawmakers who welcomed the moral values advocated by Falun Dafa and called for bringing justice to the Falun Gong practitioners oppressed by the Chinese regime.
Japan
“On the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa Day, I would like to offer my best wishes. ‘Truthfulness, compassion, forbearance’ are very important values for human beings and are popularized in modern times in the form of qigong,” said Ishibashi Rintaro, a member of the House of Representatives of Japan, in a video greeting.“But when I first came into contact with Falun Gong practitioners, what I heard was heart-wrenching.
“In China, the CCP and Jiang Zemin have launched years of persecution against Falun Gong. The CCP has harvested the organs of Falun Gong practitioners for organ transplantation. This is a shocking thing. In order to stop the evil deeds of the CCP as soon as possible, I must speak out in Japan no matter what. And with this belief, I am working hard in Japan.”
Hiroaki Maruyama echoed this sentiment when speaking to Falun Dafa practitioners and supporters at a May 8 rally. He said he would continue to support Falun Dafa and encourage its adherents.
Koichiro Yoshida and Kazuo Nakamura, councilmembers of Yamato City and Nakano City, respectively, both said they wouldn’t tolerate the persecution of Falun Dafa and the CCP’s organized crime of forced organ harvesting from practitioners. Both legislators represent the Stop Medical Genocide network, a human rights organization that works to raise awareness of the issue.
Taiwan
Wang Ting-yu, Taiwan member of the Legislative Yuan, wished Li Hongzhi a happy birthday.“I hope truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance will make the world better,” he said, commending the “spiritual resolve” of Falun Dafa adherents.
“Today, we witness Falun Gong practitioners and Falun Gong media striving for peace in the world and bringing peace to the world,” said Chen Jiau-hua, also a member of the Legislative Yuan. She celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa and wished Li Hongzhi a happy birthday.
“We are seeing the CCP’s overbearing violation of human rights,” Chen added. “In Taiwan, a lot of people are awakening now.”
“Happy Birthday, Master Li, and thank you for bringing us Falun Dafa!” said Kao Chia-yu, another member of the Legislative Yuan, adding that the spiritual practice has improved moral values and changed the world for the better.
Joining their fellow lawmakers in celebrating the 2022 World Falun Dafa Day were Freddy Lim Tshiong-tso, Chiu Hsien-chih, Hsu Chih-chieh, Chao Tien-lin, Liu Chien-kuo, Tsai Yi-yu, and Tsai Shih-ying.
