Sarah Chou, Contributing Writer

Some people may be wondering what is that unique symbol found on the Shen Yun Shop’s newest collection? The falun  is the symbol of Falun Dafa and is believed to be a representation of our universe. The wan (卍) symbol seen inside the falun was widely known for thousands of years and in cultures around the world. It signifies a Buddha’s status and is often used to symbolize prosperity and good fortune. The smaller taiji   symbols in the falun reflects the Taoist theory of yin and yang.

What is Falun Dafa?

If you have ever seen a Shen Yun performance, you might remember the name Falun Dafa. But why exactly has this meditation practice been so popular among Chinese people? 

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in Buddhist tradition which focuses on meditation, gentle exercises, and the study of teachings based on the characteristics of the universe—Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance.

Falun Dafa was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi back in 1992 in northeast China. After practicing, people experienced tremendous health improvement and inner peace and Falun Dafa soon became very well-known by word of mouth. In fact, at one point, there were over 100 million Falun Dafa practitioners in China alone.

The On-going Persecution in China

However, it was also due to Falun Dafa’s soaring popularity that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) decided to launch its severe crackdown on the practice in 1999. The CCP became jealous and feared losing authority over the people. As a result, untold millions of Falun Dafa practitioners who refused to renounce their beliefs have been subjected to harassment, homelessness, illegal arrests, various methods of deadly tortures, and even live organ harvesting.

Despite the CCP’s censorship and tight grip on all communication channels to and from China, Falun Dafa practitioners have been working tirelessly around the globe to expose and resist the CCP’s persecution through calm, peaceful means since 1999, continuing on today.

How Falun Dafa Relates to Shen Yun Performances

It has been a long-held tradition in almost every culture for artists to look toward the divine for inspiration. In ancient China, it was widely believed that one must cultivate virtue and inner purity to create real art that brings joy to all.

Following this noble tradition, Shen Yun’s artists regard Falun Dafa as a source of inspiration for their performances. They say that the practice helps them stay true to their words, kind to others, and forgiving at all times.

Honoring the persevering faith and courage displayed by fellow Falun Dafa practitioners in China when facing adversity, Shen Yun’s artistic team is inspired to bring these remarkably moving stories to life on stages around the world every year in the hope of inspiring more people.

Celebrating the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa, we are proud to present to you our debut collection featuring Falun Pendants in genuine gold, Falun Pins, and Falun Dafa Posters. Be sure to visit our https://shenyunshop-aus.com/collections/dafa-collection to find out more.

Love to know more about Falun Dafa? Please visit www.falundafa.org for more information.