Australia’s National Day is January 26. In celebration of the holiday, Falun
Gong practitioners participated in the annual Sydney Boat Parade, one of the most
popular programs during Sydney’s National Day celebration. Every year, boats
of all kinds flock into the famous Darling Harbor and waterfront of Sydney Opera
House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Two years ago, Falun Gong practitioners participated
in this event and won a prize. This year, practitioners not only showed the other
boats and offshore spectators a beautiful Falun Dafa vessel, but also invited
local Chinese to the boat to celebrate Chinese New Year and clarify truth to them.
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Practitioners in Tang Dynasty attire with the |
Heavenly Beauties demonstrating traditional Chinese Culture |
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While practitioners’ boat approached Darling Harbor, the well-decorated
vessel attracted a lot of attention. In the bow was a striking “Falun Dafa”
sign. The vessel was decorated with colorful ribbons and Chinese traditional
lantern strands. At the top level, practitioners dressed in Tang Dynasty attire
waved their hands to greet people offshore and on other vessels. Then, several
people in the large Chinese group waiting for the vessel exclaimed, “Our ship
has arrived!”
With about 100 passengers on board, the practitioners’ boat left the harbor
at 11:30 a.m. and started a four and a half hour sail. Besides enjoying the
picturesque landscape, at the middle level of the ship, passengers could also
watch the First Chinese New Year Global Gala on a big screen. The Gala was a
special presentation by New Tang Dynasty TV Station (NTDTV). The videotape was
presented by NTDTV Sydney Station in appreciation of practitioners’ support and
participation in the Gala.
In the ship’s lower level, practitioners presented a photo exhibition of
Falun Dafa for passengers. The exhibition documented the spread of Falun Dafa
around the world since its introduction in 1992 by Master Li Hongzhi. At the top
level, practitioners in Tang Dynasty attire gave presentations introducing the
Chinese traditional culture. The emperor (impersonated by a western
practitioner) was the most popular figure. Passengers strove to be the first to
take photos with the “emperor” and “Heavenly Beauties.” Practitioners also
demonstrated Falun Gong exercises.
When other vessels passed by, many passengers on those vessels
were attracted by the traditional Chinese attire. They waved their hands to
greet us, exclaimed loudly, etc. The practitioners’ boat was a unique, beautiful
and bright scene on the Sydney Sea and was selected as Sydney’s “Best Dressed
Vessel Finalist.”
Young practitioner demonstrating the Falun Gong sitting meditation
Posting date: 1/Feb/2004
Original article date: 31/Jan/2004
Category: Australian News
