Over 110 Countries Celebrate 33rd Annual World Falun Dafa Day

NEW YORK — This week, millions of people in over 110 countries are celebrating the 33rd annual World Falun Dafa Day, honoring the public introduction of the traditional Chinese spiritual practice, Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa), on May 13, 1992.

First taught by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, northeastern China, Falun Gong combines meditation and slow-moving qigong exercises with moral teachings rooted in the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. By early 1999, Chinese state media estimated that 100 million people in China had taken up the practice, drawn to its health benefits and spiritual teachings. Today, Falun Dafa continues to thrive in communities across the globe, transcending cultural boundaries and improving lives through meditation and moral cultivation.

“The rise of Falun Gong is unprecedented: within just seven years, 100 million people had taken up the practice. And amid the past 25 years of brutal persecution, there has never been an act of retaliatory violence by Falun Gong practitioners,” said Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center. “What is it about Falun Gong that endeared itself so quickly to so many, and gave them the inner strength to peacefully withstand the full force and terror of the Chinese regime? The answer lies in its core tenets and how the teachings offer people a way to genuinely live by them.”

Global celebrations and support

World Falun Dafa Day is celebrated with parades, cultural performances, and meditation events. This year’s largest celebrations in the U.S. took place in New York City, where thousands gathered for a vibrant parade featuring the Tian Guo Marching Band, dragon dances, and traditional Chinese waist drum performances.

Government officials from at least 10 states across the U.S. also showed support for Falun Gong. The New York State Senate adopted Resolution J243, celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. In Texas, the state legislature introduced Senate Resolution 512 and House Resolution 1102 on May 9, 2025, to officially recognize World Falun Dafa Day. Governors such as Mike Kehoe of Missouri also issued proclamations recognizing Falun Dafa’s positive contributions to the community and moral character.

“I’ve been struck by their sincerity, gentleness, and unwavering commitment to their beliefs—even in the face of hardship. As you celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, I commend your resilience, your dedication, and the positive contributions you bring to our communities.”
— Governor Mike Kehoe

At the federal level, Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition on May 13, 2025. In New York, Representative Pat Ryan (D-NY) shared a video message with The Epoch Times, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and expressing his support for the Falun Gong Protection Act, which passed the House last week. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) also retweeted the Falun Dafa Information Center on X, with over 100,000 views as of May 15, 2025. Additional messages of support came from Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who issued a statement honoring World Falun Dafa Day.

Internationally, lawmakers in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan have issued proclamations or letters of support—continuing a trend seen in previous years and joining a growing number of countries in 2025 that recognize World Falun Dafa Day and the practice’s promotion of universal values. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe of Ottawa, Canada, proclaimed May 2025 as “Falun Dafa Month,” continuing a 14-year tradition.

Support from China despite persecution

Despite decades of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party, Falun Gong practitioners in China continue to honor World Falun Dafa Day. Thousands have sent digital cards and greetings to the global Falun Gong community, often using encrypted software to bypass censorship.

These messages of support come not only from practitioners but also from ordinary Chinese citizens who, after witnessing the kindness and integrity of Falun Gong practitioners, have come to openly support the practice and speak out against the human rights abuses.

A personal story of renewal

Falun Gong resonates with people from all walks of life. Johanna, a classical sculptor from Austria now living in Colorado, shared her experience of transformation through the practice:

“Before the time I started practicing the meditation exercises regularly, I felt emotionally unstable,” Johanna shared. However, when she started living by Falun Gong’s principles, “the changes in my life were tremendous…setting positive goals for myself seemed now easy. I learned to think of others more and be respectful to my parents and teachers.”

Johanna credits Falun Gong with not only improving her emotional well-being but also fueling her creativity and professional success. She now co-runs a traditional online art academy and continues to practice Falun Gong alongside her mother.

Read more personal stories here.

Celebration of universal values

World Falun Dafa Day is an opportunity to reflect on the power of universal values like honesty, kindness, and tolerance. In a world full of strife, these ideals provide a common ground for people of all nations and backgrounds.

To learn more about Falun Gong and hear firsthand stories of its impact, watch this 18-minute video featuring practitioners from around the world.

Media Contact:
Levi Browde, executive director at the Falun Dafa Information Center
[email protected]