Nisha Prakash
(nishafalundafa@gmail.com)
May 13 holds a special significance for Falun Dafa practitioners all over the world. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a high-level self-cultivation practice of mind and body, which was introduced in China on May 13, 1992 by Li Hongzhi. This year, the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public is being celebrated around the world.
Falun Dafa and its founder, Li Hongzhi, have been awarded more than 1,500 awards and citations worldwide. Li Hongzhi has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Independent thought.
In addition to the moral teachings of "truthfulness-kindness-tolerance", five slow-moving meditative exercises are taught in Falun Dafa. Exercises are simple to learn but effective and are taught completely free of charge all over the world. Falun Dafa practice is often taught outside parks or in public places. Due to social-distancing restrictions imposed by the COVID pandemic, Falun Dafa is being taught through online webinars, which are becoming very popular in India.
Falun Dafa in India
Falun Dafa was introduced in India in 2000. Since then, this meditation practice has been taught in many schools and colleges across the country. Many renowned organizations and corporates have organized Falun Dafa workshops for their senior executives. Several fashion models of Mumbai are also adopting Falun Dafa for being balanced and stress-free in a fast-paced life.
Persecution in China
Today, more than 10 crore people practice this peaceful meditation system in over 80 countries. But ironically, Falun Dafa is being brutally suppressed in China since 1999, the place where it was first made public; the persecution continues to the present day.
30th Anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day
Falun Dafa practitioners from all over the world celebrate this day organizing parades, rallies, exhibitions and conferences. In India too, the activities for World Falun Dafa Day have started a week in advance. Its practitioners expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Li Hongzhi and are teaching the meditative exercises to those who are interested. A 2-day workshop was organized in Bangalore in which people were taught the exercises. Recently, an online experience sharing conference was organized comprising new practitioners who learned the practice via the all-India webinars. A special video is also being released on social media by the Indian practitioners to express gratitude to Li Hongzhi for teaching the eternal principles of "truth-kindness-tolerance" to the world.
If you are also keen to learn this unique practice, you can register for its free webinar at www.learnfalungong.in. You can find more information about Falun Dafa at www.falaundafaindia.org.