(Minghui.org) Twenty-five years ago on April 25, 1999, approximately 10,000 Falun Dafa practitioners went to the State Council Appeals Office in Beijing to request the release of 45 practitioners who were arrested in Tianjin. They also requested the government allow Falun Dafa books to be published so that practitioners could freely practice their belief.
However, the peaceful petition was later reported by the Chinese state media as a “siege of Zhongnanhai.”
In April 2024, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the “April 25” appeal, Canadian practitioners shared their stories of practicing and how they obtained the Fa, and their thoughts on the peaceful appeal. They wish people to know what Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) really is.
“The behavior of Falun Gong practitioners was pure and kind”
Jose, a 39-year-old practitioner from Argentina is a medical doctor and returned to school to further his education.
Jose said that protests around the world are usually violent and accompanied by looting, blocking traffic, disrupting order, and disturbing people. “However, the Falun Gong practitioners who went to petition back then did not even protest. Instead, they just quietly and peacefully stood. Some did the exercises or read. Their behavior was pure and kind,” he said.
Jose
Jose said he experienced critical moments on his cultivation journey. As a practitioner, he was able to remain calm and kind.
Jose knew nothing about Eastern philosophy or beliefs. When he was 18 years old, he realized that his older brother gradually changed. His brother used to be cold and unkind to their parents. But he suddenly stopped smoking and his facial expression became kind—he was even cheerful. His brother told Jose he had been reading Zhuan Falun for three months.
Witnessing his brother’s transformation, Jose decided to start practicing Falun Dafa. “I also changed. I can now remain calm. I no longer feel overwhelmed by life, and I am less anxious,” he said.
Jose’s 14-year-old younger brother was kidnapped a few years later. Jose received a phone call in the middle of the night, telling him to get money to ransom his brother. The kidnapper also threatened him and told him not to hang up the phone or call the police, otherwise they would kill his brother.
“If I hadn’t practiced Falun Gong, I would have lost my mind due to panic, fear or anger, which might have caused my brother to lose his life. I was worried about my brother’s safety, and I also felt a surge of adrenaline,” Jose said. “But I kept reminding myself that practitioners should always be kind to others, even those who are not good to us. Faced with the kidnapper’s continuous insults, yelling, humiliation, and threats, I did not talk back or shout. During the entire process, I was not resentful, but stayed calm and thought about how to deal with it. I calmly advised the kidnapper not to continue doing evil.” In the end, with the help of the police, Jose’s brother was rescued safely.
“Falun Gong deserves to make the Chinese people proud”
Joseph, a medical doctor, wants more people to know the history of “April 25”.
Joseph, a medical doctor who runs a clinic in Hamilton, first came into contact with Falun Gong when he was a student in medical school in New York City.
“To outsiders, I have a happy family and a bright future. But inside I felt empty and confused. I was also easily led by emotions and material desires. I was not happy with myself. So, I read a lot and looked for ways to be a better version of myself from the inside out,” Joseph recalled.
Hearing of his endeavor, a friend in medical school suggested he read Zhuan Falun. He downloaded the book from the Falundafa.org website and immediately started reading. After he read the first lecture, he was moved to tears. “I felt so relieved. I felt deeply that the right path I worked so hard to find was right in front of me.” He said.
Joseph gradually understood the meaning of cultivation practice. He began to control his emotions and learn self-discipline. “Zhuan Falun taught me to put others before myself. When I disagree with my parents, my wife, or friends, I no longer say harsh words, but become calm and give in,” he continued.
“When my son was born, he was in a coma for three days and then spent a week in the NICU. In pain, I remembered Master’s words about letting nature take its course in cultivation. I have no control over the outcome. I adjusted my mentality and was no longer dominated by worry and fear. This clear and calm state of mind helped me get through this difficult time without feeling overwhelmed, resentful, or miserable,” Joseph said. His son is now eight months old and is healthy.
In order to let more people know how wonderful Falun Dafa is, Joseph volunteers on a website: (LearnFalunGong.com). “Seventy thousand people have learned the exercises online. I received pages of thank-you letters, which made me realize that Falun Gong has also brought light to their lives,” he said.
As the 25th anniversary of the “April 25” peaceful appeal approaches, Joseph wants more people to know this history. “I sat with other practitioners many times in front of the Chinese consulates in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. Just like on April 25 of that year, over the years, Falun Gong practitioners never used violence when facing injustice. People can feel from our words and deeds that we are a group of good people with integrity, kindness and perseverance,” he explained.
“Stop being resentful, be a kind person with sunshine in your heart”
Ashley was born and grew up in the countryside near Kawartha Lake, Canada. Because of the domestic abuse she suffered as a child, her anger became more and more intense, and she would fly into a rage at the slightest provocation. She also became addicted to drugs.
Ashley read a story about Falun Gong shared by a high school classmate on Facebook 7 years ago that made her think about what the meaning of life is. Like an amazing force pushing her, she contacted the high school classmate and heard more about Falun Gong. Ashley said, “Deep down, I knew this was the way to change my life. But to practice, I had to get rid of my drug addiction first, which was too difficult for me. So I just remembered his words, and start to follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in my life.”
It wasn’t until 2020 when Ashley attended a Shen Yun performance that she decided to start practicing Falun Gong. She said, “I will follow the requirements of Zhuan Falun. I have stopped taking drugs. I also corrected my character problems step by step.”
After she began practicing, Ashley did her best to let go of her resentment towards her family members who abused her. “Master tells us that good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be rewarded with evil. In order to be a kind person with a sunny heart, I have to let go of hatred,” she said.
“Zhuan Falun not only changed my life, but also benefited my family,” Ashley said, “On April 25, 1999, Falun Gong practitioners went to Beijing to appeal, but were slandered by the Chinese Communist Party and accused of ‘sieging Zhongnanhai’. As practitioners, Master teaches us to let go of resentment, so how could Falun Gong practitioners resent and besiege the government? I hope everyone can understand that becoming a better person through self-cultivation is not about politics.”
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Category: April 25 Events
