Peregian Beach will come alive with the colour and sound of traditional Chinese dance and culture this Sunday thanks to the incredible story of a three-year-old girl, reports Sue Short.
In the three short years of little Fadu’s life she has travelled to more countries than most of us would hope to cover in our entire lifetime. Accompanied by her mother, Jane Dai, to over 30 countries, the two have told the story of Fadu’s father Chengyong Chen, who lost his life in China for embracing the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance practiced by Falun Gong practitioners, of which he was one.
Fadu was only nine months old when her father was detained by Chinse authorities – she never saw him again. After his arrest, her mother, an Australian citizen, managed to bring Fadu back to Australia. In July 2001, after months of concern for her husbands safety, Jane saw the name of her husband on an internet news report. Chen’s body had been found in an abandoned hut in Guangzhou – he had been tortured to death.
While little Fadu and her mother are unable to be on the coast this month, local Falun Gong practitioners have organised an event at Peregian Beach to honour this little girls bravery. ‘Petals of Peace’ will be a free family day filled with stunning traditional Chinse dances, songs and cultural performances such as the lotus dance, the fan dance and the ribbon dance performed by Falun Gong practitioners from the Sunshine Coast, as well as Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
‘Petals of Peace’ is initiating our wish that all children will have a brighter future and help encourage an awareness of innocent young children and adults that have suffered a lot of hardship, especially in China”, local practitioner Margery Dunn says. “We will be holding free origami lotus flower workshops on the day. The lotus flower symbolises beauty and serenity,” Margery says.
The ancient exercise and meditation practice known as Falun Gong was first introduced to the public in China in 1992 by its founder Li Hongzhi. After seven years of unprecedented growth and with over 100 million people enjoying the practice, Falun Gong was banned in China simply due to its immense popularity. Today, its followers in China are persecuted, tortured and imprisoned. Falun Gong is now practised in over 50 countries outside of China.
Peregian Beach coordinator John Dowie has been practising Falun Gong for more than four years.
“Falun Gong is five gentle exercises that can be done by anyone,” John says. “The whole practice is based on the three timeless principles of truth, compassion and forbearance. It raises mid, body and soul, which gives good health, reduced stress and increased energy.
“Falun Gong is not a religion and has no political agenda.”
Petals of Peace, is a free cultural event that will be held on Sunday, December 7 at Peregian Beach Village Stage from 10:30am to 2pm.
Posting date: 12/Dec/2003
Original article date: 9/Dec/2003
Category: Media Report
