(Clearwisdom.net) On December 18, 2007, just before NTDTV's Holiday Wonders opening performance, New York Assemblyman Michael Benjamin received a letter from the Chinese Consulate General in New York. He made this letter public.

The slanderous letter relied on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s usual tactics to defame Falun Gong. It pressured the assemblyman with "Chinese and American relations" to force him not to support Holiday Wonders or the Chinese New Year Spectacular shows in any way.

New York Assemblyman Michael Benjamin

As part of the 2006 Women’s History Month, Ms. Vina Lee was awarded by the New York State Assembly the honor of “Outstanding Woman Leader” in recognition of her leadership and commitment to humanity.Photograph shows Benjamin (right) and his wife (middle), and Vina Lee (left).

The Offensive Letter from the Chinese Consulate General

The Chinese Consulate General in New York wrote to the New York Assemblyman on December 18, pressuring him with "Chinese and American relations" to force him not to support Holiday Wonders or the Chinese New Year Spectacular shows in any way.

The Chinese Consulate is pressuring a New York Assemblyman not to attend a show on Broadway that they feel is "humiliating" for the Chinese Communist regime back in the Mainland. The assemblyman, Michael Benjamin of the Bronx, has said he's not buying into the Communist agenda and plans on attending the show in question, Holiday Wonders, now playing at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.

"I believe that the Chinese Consulate is again seeking to discourage participation by elected officials in the Holiday Wonders show," said Assemblyman Benjamin in an e-mail statement to The Epoch Times earlier.

"The CCP insists to the world that there is only one China. They seek to drown out alternative voices. They fear that the world will learn the truth of their 'Animal Farm' regime," he added.

Benjamin received an unusual letter last week from the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The letter, sent via fax and received one week before the theatrical production, Holiday Wonders, opened, is addressed to Assemblyman Michael Benjamin.

The letter focuses on Holiday Wonders and its producer, New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), telling Assemblyman Benjamin "not to support in any way the Holiday Wonders and the Chinese New Year Spectacular." Both shows are produced by NTDTV, an independent Chinese language television station that has faced repeated attacks by the CCP.

Assemblyman Benjamin has been honored by community members in the past for recognition of his work to promote diversity and freedom of belief.

Holiday Wonders is a colorful presentation of traditional, ancient Chinese culture with modern twists in some of the acts. At least one performance depicts the persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong, which the CCP has been brutally persecuting since 1999.

Westchester resident and Falun Gong practitioner Jeanne Mitchell has stayed in contact with Assemblyman Benjamin's office since 2005 to inform him about the ongoing persecution. She was contacted by a staff member of the office who alerted her of the letter received.

"They begin the letter by offering holiday greetings and promoting an economic business relationship," said Mitchell. "But what they really want is to defame Falun Gong. They talk about trade to keep people from really speaking out about what terrible human rights violations going on in China," she added.

Ms. Benjamin: "I wanted to see this show because of the letter."

Assemblyman Benjamin's wife, Ms. Kennedy Benjamin, said that originally she only planned to go to the reception, but she decided to make time to watch the show because of the slanderous letter.

Assemblyman Benjamin saw NTDTV's show two years ago. He called it "wonderful" and an embodiment of "traditional Chinese culture and values."

NTDTV: "The CCP's Defamation can only help promotion."NTDTV spokesperson Carrie Hong said that the CCP's letter is full of slander and defamatory remarks because NTDTV promotes culture and art that negate the Party's own culture. The CCP is fearful of NTDTV's mission.

Ms. Hong said that based on previous experience, each time the CCP has attempted to interfere with an NTDTV event, the event was actually promoted instead, including the annual New Year's show and the International Chinese Classical Dance Competition. Many people attended after they heard about the events from the CCP's efforts to defame them.

She pointed out that before NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular show in Canberra, Australia last year, the Chinese Embassy wrote to members of Parliament and asked them not to see the show. Not surprisingly, all the members of Parliament went to see the show. One of them said humorously, "We can hold a session before the show."

Ms. Hong predicted a similar effect on the shows in North America.

Posting date: 12/21/2007
Original article date: 12/21/2007
Category: News & Media Reports
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2007/12/20/168740.html

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On November 28th, 2007, the Chinese Communist Party- controlled court in Lingyuan City, Liaoning Province, secretly held hearings for nine Falun Dafa practitioners. During the four months these practitioners were detained, Lingyuan City Public Security, the Procuratorate, the court, and the judiciary system secretly colluded with each other and knowingly violated the law.

The nine were arrested when they attended a Falun Gong experience sharing conference in Beilu Village on August 1st, 2007. Also arrested was another practitioner, Hu Yanrong. He has already died as a result of torture. The Lingyuan City Public Security Bureau accepted no responsibility for his death. Mr. Liu Jincheng of Wanyuandian, Lingyuan City, was arrested at his home on August 10th, 2007. Authorities claimed he installed a satellite TV receiver for others. Ms. Dong Xiuqin, a teacher at Chaoyang Street Primary School, suffered severe torture at Masanjia Forced Labour Camp. As a result, she experienced a mental breakdown requiring an extended recovery period after her release from the camp.

Lingyuan City court held a secret hearing for these nine practitioners without notifying their families. Some of the families found out about the hearings and applied for admission, but were turned away. Many staff of the public security bureau, the Procuratorate and the court and educational system were given admission to the proceedings. On the day of the hearing, the nine practitioners were handcuffed behind their backs as the police escorted them into the courtroom. They wore prisoners' uniforms, and the men's heads were shaved. Lingyuan City court maintained high security both inside and outside the courtroom and doors were locked. Vehicles were not allowed near the building and staff had to obtain signatures from anyone entering the courtroom, even from two police chiefs. Some practitioners' family members tried to gain admission to the court, but were denied entrance. Ms. Guo Fengxian's 80-year-old mother wanted to see her daughter, but was expelled.

Lingyuan City law enforcement agency staff who participated in the persecution and trial of these practitioners acted as if they were being threatened by an army. They took strict precautions against any claims that they may have caused the death of practitioner Hu Yanrong. They threatened to quickly cremate his body, fearing that his family might take this chance to "cause trouble."

Some of the tried practitioners hired lawyers, but not all of the lawyers attended the proceedings. Ms. Li Jingfang's lawyer received threats that his licence to practise law would be revoked if he appeared in court. He did not dare appear in court. Ms. Guo Fengxian's family received a call from someone claiming to be a staff person at the detention centre and they were told to hire a lawyer. The lawyer they retained was secretly controlled by the judicial bureau and politics and law committee. The authorities would not allow the lawyer to represent Ms. Guo, claiming he was not legally licensed to practise law.

The lawyer for Mr. Liu Jincheng appeared in court, but cooperated with the court. Mr. Ma Yanhua's attorney entered a plea of innocence for him and requested his release, however, the court still handed him over to the public security bureau and informed him he must wait three more days for a decision.

Lingyuan City Public Security Bureau:
Director General Zhang Lin: 86-421- 6883101 (Office), 86-421-2690000 (Home),
86-13304910001 (Mobile)
Deputy Director General Yang Minghui: 86-421-6883103, 86-421-6824813,
86-13904213390

Lingyuan National Protection Brigade:
Chief Wang Guilin: 86-421-6891665, 86-421-6851687, 86-13704917349
Deputy Chief Chen Zhi: 86-13842156895

Lingyuan City Court: 86-421-2316706, 86-421-2306708, 86-421-2316709
Chief Liu Wenxing: 86-421-2316701, 86-13504213089
Vice-Chief Bi Guoyi: 86-421-2316758, 86-421-6825882, 86-13704917494
Vice-Chief Qi Haishen: 86-421-2316768, 86-421-6891292, 86-13842109566

Lingyuan City No. 1 Detention Centre manager Liu Haijun: 86-421-6883215,
86-13500417589
Lingyuan City No. 2 Detention Centre manager Li Dongchun: 86-421-6901835,
86-13942176005

Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2007/12/4/167705.html

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Qingqing Lin

[PureInsight.org] In your living circle, when you are hurt, criticized or humiliated by other people's words, how do you react? Do you lose your temper and curse back angrily or swallow your anger and force it back inside? After that, do you become angrier while thinking about it more and have your mood adversely affected? For an ordinary person, it is very difficult to control his emotions well under this kind of situation. However, as a well-cultivated person, one will be able to face the tribulation with a calm heart and behave with great composure in the face of crisis.

There is a story that goes like this: One day, when Buddha was passing by a village, some people who went out to meet with him talked to him in a very impolite manner, and some even spit out dirty words. The Buddha stood there listening quietly, and then he said: "Thank you for you coming to see me. I have to get on the road because people in the next village are waiting for me. But when I come back tomorrow, I will have more time. If you have more things to say to me, please come again.

Those people couldn't believe what they heard with their ears and what they saw with their eyes. What happened to this person? One of them asked the Buddha: "Did you actually hear our words? We talked about you as if you were nothing, yet you didn't have any reaction!"

The Buddha answered: "If what you want is my reaction, then, you came too late. You should have come to see me ten years ago. I would have reacted back then. However, during the past ten years, I have become free from control by other people. I am no longer a slave and I am the master of myself. I do things based on myself, not reacting according to others."

I have heard another story: One person always buys his newspaper from a particular newspaper stand. Although the newspaper seller has a constant cold and unfriendly face, this person always politely says "thank you" to him. One day, his colleague saw the situation and asked him: "Dose he always look like that when he's selling things?"

"Yes."

"Why do you then still treat him so politely?"

The person answered: "Why do I have to let him make the decision about what my actions will be?"

It's so true! Why do we have to let other people's actions and words make decisions about our feelings? We cannot stop other people's manner in dealing with us, but we can control our own emotions and not let them be influenced by others. Of course, it requires a process of xinxing cultivation to achieve this. Let us start from changing our inner state and let our own emotions be governed by ourselves.

Translated from:
http://www.xinsheng.net/xs/articles/gb/2007/12/5/42002.htm

(Clearwisdom.net) With the upcoming tour of the Divine Performing Arts starting in New York and Baltimore, Canadian VIPs including Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley, Ontario's Minister of Culture M. Aileen Carroll, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie sent greetings and best wishes to the Divine Performing Arts and praised the Chinese New Year Spectacular and its sponsors for their contributions to the spread of traditional Chinese culture and promotion of multiculturalism in Canada.

Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley (photo from the Lieutenant Governor's office)

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley (photo from the Minister's website)

Ontario's Minister of Culture M. Aileen Carroll

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie (from the Minister's website)

On the basis of last year's performance, the Divine Performing Arts has expanded to two troupes. Their seasons will start simultaneously, one at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore and the other at the Beacon Theater in New York. They will give more than 200 shows in 55 cities around the world in the next five months.

Greetings from Canadian VIPs

Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley wrote to the sponsors of the show, Canada NTDTV and the Falun Dafa Association, "I am pleased to send greetings to New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) as you launch the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular.

"This annual event has grown over the past five years to become the largest overseas Chinese cultural production that now tours to over 50 cities worldwide, entertaining half a million audience members. Featuring the Divine Performing Arts, you present traditional Chinese culture and express the purity of compassion, beauty, and truth. For many years Ontario has enjoyed the significant and important contributions of its Chinese community.

"As The Queen's representative in Ontario, I wish NTDTV a wonderful New Year as you welcome the Year of the Rat, a time of creativity and the start of new projects."

Greeting from Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley wrote in her letter, "I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to those attending the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular as you welcome the Year of Rat.

"This grand event is indeed a unique opportunity to enjoy Chinese cultural heritage as an integral part of a multicultural society that is shared by fellow Canadians; therefore, I would like to congratulate the organizers of this annual celebration. They can be proud of the service they provide."

Greeting from Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley

The Honorable M. Aileen Carroll, Ontario's Minister of Culture, wrote in her letter, "I am delighted to offer a warm welcome to everyone attending New Tang Dynasty Television's 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular, featuring the Divine Performing Arts Troupe.

"In just a few years, the Chinese New Year Spectacular has grown to become a hugely successful cultural extravaganza. The Divine Performing Arts Troupe's expressive performance raises public awareness about traditional Chinese culture and heritage and delights audiences across the country. This event is a special way to usher in a brand new year, and I extend my thanks to the organizers of this wonderful production.

"On behalf of Ontario's Ministry of Culture, best wishes for a very enjoyable Chinese New Year celebration."

Greeting from Ontario's Minister of Culture M. Aileen Carroll

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie wrote, "On behalf of myself and the citizens of Oxford I would like to congratulate your group and the many efforts of the members of your community on a wonderful job of showcasing the heritage of your country.

"The 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular is sure to be a special event that captures the spirit of a 5000-year-old traditional culture. In this multicultural society I am pleased to support groups that are doing their part to keep alive the spirit of their homeland through the performing arts."

Greeting from Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie

The Pride of Overseas Chinese

"The Divine Performing Arts' large, world-class traditional Chinese cultural performance is the only one of its kind in Canada," President of NTDTV Canada Dr. Wang Shaojiu said. He called the greetings and support from all levels of the Canadian government "the pride of all the overseas Chinese." "These best wishes are proof of Chinese Canadians contributions to the promotion of multiculturalism in Canada."

Dr. Wang said that the NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular has enjoyed increasing international acclaim since its first show in 2004. The sheer beauty and meaningful cultural content, as well as the artistry of the Divine Performing Arts, have been well received by the Chinese communities, gained widespread recognition and attention from mainstream society, and promoted a positive image of Chinese culture in the West.

Mr. Zhang Zhaojin, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association Canada, which co-sponsors the Chinese New Year Spectacular, told the reporter, "The Falun Dafa Association has been making efforts to promote 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance,' valuable human virtues. The Divine Performing Arts has presented authentic divine Chinese culture to Eastern and Western audiences. Its accomplishments have been recognized and its efforts supported by Western society and overseas Chinese. I hope more people will have an opportunity to see the Divine Performing Arts."

Posting date: 12/7/2007
Original article date: 12/6/2007
Category: Worldwide Support
Translated on 12/6/2007
Chinese version available

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NTDTV's Holiday Wonders performed by the Divine Performing Arts will be shown on December 18th-26th, 2007, at the Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, New York City. New York State Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer issued a citation commemorating NTDTV and the Holiday Wonders Show. Below is the text of the citation.

State Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer

New York State Assembly
Citation
From
Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer
Commemorating
New Tang Dynasty Television
and their
Holiday Wonders Show

Whereas, Organizations and individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the best interest of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

Whereas, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the ethical, social, and spiritual values of their communities; and

Whereas, This Assemblymember is honored to commend New Tang Dynasty Television on their Holiday Wonders Show; and

Whereas, New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) is the world's largest independent, nonprofit Chinese-language television network and a leading voice in the overseas Chinese communities; and

Whereas, NTDTV Holiday Wonders will bring together the Chinese communities as well as all people interested in Chinese culture for an incredible show inspired by the spirit of the holiday season; and

Whereas, NTDTV began broadcasting via satellite in North America in February 2002 and extended its programming to cover Asia, Europe, and Australia in 2003. Headquartered in New York City, NTDTV currently has reporters and correspondents in over fifty cities worldwide; and

Whereas, The Holiday Wonders presents a gift of genuine Chinese culture with a pageant of hundreds of dancers and musicians in a collection of exquisite performances; and

Whereas, On this occasion this Assemblymember is proud to commend NTDTV for brining this wonderful performance together and celebrating the holiday season by blending traditional Chinese performances with western holiday classics; and

Whereas, It is the custom of this Assembled Body to take note of enduring, dedicated organizations and to bring such institutions to the attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Legislator pause to commemorate NTDTV's Holiday Wonders Show, running from December 18th to the 20th at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this Citation, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to New Tang Dynasty Television.

Audrey I. Pheffer

Member of Assembly

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