(SFDI) A Western Falun
Gong practitioner who works for a duty free shop in Surfers Paradise saw a notice about
a traditional Chinese New Year parade on his way to work. He realized
that this would be a good opportunity to display the beauty of Falun Dafa
to the public. The parade was to be held on the following Saturday, February
8, which left very little time to apply or prepare. The next day, after
making many phone calls, the practitioner finally connected with the event’s
official organizer.
It turns out that the organizer knew quite a lot
about Falun Gong. He supported us and immediately agreed to our participating
in the event. All the other groups taking part in the parade were coming
down from Brisbane. We were the only local Gold Coast group allowed to
participate. The organizer also brought forward some detailed requirements
for our performance and costumes. He said that we could have four ladies
dressed in Tang Dynasty costumes, four dancers, four men in traditional
yellow Chinese suits and eight practitioners in black pants with yellow
tops. We could also have any two banners we chose and he wanted us to
carry three silk flags, marking the end of the parade. The parade was
sponsored by the Gold Coast City Council and the Surfers Paradise Management
Association. Falun Gong participation in the parade demonstrates local
government and public support for Falun Gong to the many Chinese people
in attendance.
As the time was so short, a few practitioners took
the initiative to prepare. Practitioners who had never participated in
dance performances volunteered to be dancers. We met early on the Saturday
afternoon for our final preparations for the parade, as the parade was
set to begin at 4:00 pm. However, due to a miscommunication, practitioners
did not bring the Tang Dynasty costumes. Fortunately, we reached two practitioners
who hadn’t left Brisbane (where the costumes were) and asked them
to bring them, but it meant they wouldn’t arrive until nearly 4:00pm.
Realizing this was interference, we immediately
sent forth righteous thoughts to deny the arrangement. We continued our
preparations with calm minds. At 3:30 when the assembly began, the men
who would carry the banners arrived at the designated location and notified
the organizer that others would be slightly late. As it approached 4:00pm,
we had to take our position in the procession. Just at this moment, our
Tang Dynasty costumes arrived. The practitioners participating in the
performance quickly changed their clothes and joined in the parade.
Our procession was outstanding. Two men carrying
a large Falun Dafa banner led. Dancers dressed in colorful costumes followed
and performed beautiful dances. Then came a large white banner reading,
“The World Needs Truth Compassion Tolerance” with the eight practitioners
in black and yellow bringing up the rear. The four women in the Tang Dynasty
costumes were finally able to join us. Our group really stood out. The
drums and noise from other groups were deafening, while we were completely
peaceful and serene. Hundreds of people lined the streets. Everyone waved
and commented as we passed by and many people took photos and videos of
us with our colorful banners and outfits.
After the parade, the organizers thanked us and
said how great we looked. Several people came to have photos taken with
the ladies in the Tang Dynasty and dance costumes. It was a marvelous
opportunity to help more people come to a positive understanding about
Falun Gong. People could see that Falun Gong has become an integral part
of their community.
