(Minghui.org) A group of Falun Gong practitioners from the greater Houston area gathered in Hermann Park in the city center on November 5, 2023, to respectfully wish Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, a happy Thanksgiving.
Falun Gong practitioners displayed large banners in front of the bronze statue of Sam Houston that read “Thank you, Master,” “Thank you, Dafa,” “Falun Dafa is good,” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.”
Some Falun Gong practitioners from the greater Houston area respectfully wish Master Li Hongzhi a happy Thanksgiving on November 5.
Practitioners later practiced the exercises by the Reflection Pool, a mirror-like lake in the middle of a green lawn. People on the tourist train that ran through the area saw them.
Falun Gong practitioners from the greater Houston area did the exercises together in Hermann Park on November 5.
Falun Dafa is a Buddha School practice that was first introduced to the public in May 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. On August 3, 1994, the Houston City Government awarded Mr. Li Hongzhi the titles “Honorary Citizen” and “Goodwill Ambassador.” On October 12, 1996, Master came to Houston to give a lecture, and the mayor declared that day “Houston Master Li Hongzhi Day.”
The number of Falun Gong practitioners in Houston has continued to increase over the past quarter century. As Thanksgiving Day 2023 approaches, they are all grateful to Mr. Li Hongzhi for sharing the great Falun Dafa with the world.
Practicing Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance and becoming a better person
Wanda was one of the first Western practitioners in Houston to start learning Falun Gong. She had been very interested in Eastern culture since she was a child. She encountered a group of people practicing Falun Gong in a park in March 1999 and stopped to watch. “A practitioner introduced me to the nine-day classes that would be held a few days later,” she said. “The practitioners were very kind. I immediately became interested in Falun Gong, so I signed up for the series of lectures and learned the five exercises.”
By repeatedly reading Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun, Wanda deeply felt the depth and breadth of Dafa. In her daily life or when encountering sudden conflicts, Dafa has always guided her. Her mind has become more calm and peaceful, and her endurance has increased. She said she feels physically stronger and has more energy. She can easily cope with long work hours.
“After all these years, I believe I have learned a lot about deeper things and the meaning of Dafa. I have had countless wonderful experiences, too many to share with you all here,” Wanda said.
“Dafa helped me get out of the tribulation and gave me a new life.”
Ms. Ren, a Chinese-American practitioner, read Falun Gong books for the first time in 2003. “I read Dafa books and found them very reasonable,” she said. “I felt that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance was good, so I started to practice Falun Gong because of the principles.”
She said that she was able to leave pain and confusion behind and embrace a new life because of Falun Dafa. “If I had not practiced cultivation, I would never have been able to pass those tribulations,” she said. “I don’t even know how to thank Master. Master’s compassion is so great. We can only do better!”
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