ClearWisdom Editor's note: The City of Durham, North Carolina proclaimed November 25, 2000 as "Falun Dafa Day". This is a report on the largest local newspaper. Related links:
Proclamation of Falun Dafa Day, City of Durham, North Carolina [11/25/00]
By REBECCA E. EDEN
Nov 25, 2000
DURHAM -- Eyes closed and legs twisted like pretzels, about 20 people moved their arms in graceful, fluid motions Saturday at Duke Unniversity's International House.
In China, where the meditation practice of Falun Dafa originated, those same movements have landed people in prison, or worse.
Durham Mayor Nick Tennyson proclaimed Saturday "Falun Dafa Day."
"It's exciting that we have our own day that allows us to celebrate Falun Dafa," said Tina Bakatsias, 26. "Hopefully this day will bring awareness to stop the thousands of Falun Dafa practitioners in China who aren't able to practice freely and are being tortured."
Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, is a form of what the Chinese call qigong, a system of exercises and teachings said to transform mind and body. Founded in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, it is now practiced by more than 100 million people worldwide.
The practice is simple. It has two main components: self-improvement through three principles -- truthfulness, compassion and tolerance -- and doing five movements, including a sitting meditation.
The Chinese government banned Falun Dafa as a cult in 1999. Practitioners have been imprisoned, sent to forced labor camps without trials, and beaten and tortured. At least 80 Falun Dafa practitioners have died while in the custody of the Chinese police, according to a Falun Dafa Web site.
Practitioner Al Whitted said the Chinese government is based on atheism and communism and became afraid when Falun Dafa became so popular.
"It's not like we are all living together in some back woods," Whitted said. "Falun Dafa is not about religion or politics or rituals. We don't worship or exchange money or even have a leader. Everyone is here because they want to be healthier and better people."
The group practices from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays in Duke Garden during the summer and at the International House in the winter.
After moving the furniture to one side of the room, the practitioners took off their shoes, turned on a cassette tape and started meditating. The tape guided the group through a series of movements, mostly using their arms and hands.
Kevin Tie, 7, said he has been practicing Falun Dafa for three years with his parents.
"Sometimes my head hurts and after doing Falun Dafa, it feels very light and good," Kevin said. "I do Falun Dafa a few times a week and it's my favorite thing."
Kevin's dad, Jack Tie, said the youngster had problems with his appendix when he was a toddler. After taking antibiotics and undergoing surgery, a doctor told Kevin's parents their son would never be able to play sports.
"But Falun Dafa has made him strong, and he can play soccer with other kids at school," Tie said.
In addition to improved health, Kevin has applied the three principles to his life, making him a better person.
"When kids tease or hit him, he just ignores them and uses compassion to forgive them for being mean," Tie said.
Thai Ton, who came with his parents to America in 1975 from Vietnam, said Falun Dafa has fundamentally changed him.
"I am not only more fit and healthy, but I am more selfless and can endure hardships better," he said. "I don't complain when things are unfair, and I look inside myself rather than blame others for something."
Bakatsias said nearly a year ago she was searching for something that would make her a better person and heard a public service announcement about Falun Dafa. After doing some research on it, she knew it was for her.
"Finding Falun Dafa was like a ta-da moment for me," she said. "Falun Dafa has made me happier and put me more at peace with my body and mind."
http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-44367.html
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Category: Falun Dafa in the Media
