LOS ANGELES―Falun Dafa practitioners in Los Angeles celebrated World Falun Dafa Day on Sunday May 13, near the entrance to the Santa Monica pier on a clear, sunshiny day that was cooled with soft ocean breezes.
The practice was first introduced to the public by Falun Gong's founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi on May 13, 1992.
A group of about 60 participated in group exercises for about 2 hours before starting a program to commemorate the day with a series of speeches and a number of traditional Chinese performances.
Upon encountering the practitioners doing the exercises, Enrique, a pedestrian, visiting from Mexico, stopped to observe and said, "This is the first time I have seen something like this. I am amazed, I like this. It's very peaceful. I came to Santa Monica to do some things and I saw this. I wish everybody could do this. We have to learn to do something. I think it is a good way to do it."
One of the program speakers was Tiling Chao, from Los Angeles, who spoke on how she became a Falun Gong practitioner. "After reading the book Zhuan Falun, I learned the exercises from the video tape and then joined a practice site at a park near my home. I began to notice changes in my physical health. Gradually my body started to feel lighter. After four years of practice, all those ailments that I had are now gone. I am now more energetic, in a calm and peaceful way. And the feeling of sadness and emptiness that I had in my heart has disappeared," said Chao.
Alan Chen, a young practitioner participating in the ceremonies, is only 13 years of age but says he practices Falun Gong regularly. Chen said, "After practicing Falun Gong I became smarter and my grades became much better. When I wasn't practicing, my grades were average. And right now I get all A pluses." Alan says his parents have been practicing for nine years.
Loretta Kraatz, who says she has been practicing for over four years, said, "World Falun Dafa Day signifies to me an extraordinary set of exercises as well as a mental and spiritual elevation that has been introduced in our modern time and makes one feel new born. We improve ourselves morally as well as physically. I was a sick person previously, but in these last 4 years I have enjoyed the best health in my life. Therefore, World Falun Dafa Day is a wonderful day for me personally and universally. "
Kraatz added, "The uniqueness of this Falun Gong is that the miracle you wish for, you can achieve through your own effort by practicing truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. The more you put in, the more miracles you will experience. Now, I don't think any other exercise will bring you this. "
 Children reciting poems and rejoicing in World Falun Dafa Day. (Dan Sanchez/The Epoch Times)
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 Playing the Da Gu (Tang Dynasty) Drums. (Dan Sanchez/The Epoch Times)
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 Participants of World Falun Dafa Day pose for a group photo. (Debora Cheng/The Epoch Times)
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