On February 5, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from the cities of Tucson and Phoenix in the state of Arizona, took the opportunity of David Bowie’s concert tour date in Phoenix to tell people about the persecution of Falun Gong in China by Jiang’s regime.
David Bowie, a famous British rock’n’roll star, is giving a concert tour around the world. His drummer, Sterling Campbell, who has worked with other famous bands, has been a Falun Gong practitioner for six years.
Local Falun Gong practitioners took this opportunity to tell music fans about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and the detention of Charles Li. Many people got flyers and signed their names to support the rescue of Charles Li. Some people joined Friends of Falun Gong. Some stopped by to ask more details. They were shocked by the situation in China and Charles’ experience. Many music fans were curious about the Chinese words “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” written on Sterling’s drum. They were eager to find out the story behind these words.
The Story behind the Three Chinese Words on Sterling’s Drum
One day, he happened to pass a park in New York where he saw a group of people practicing a very gentle exercise. He was fascinated and couldn’t help joining them. A Falun Gong practitioner gave him a Falun Gong book to read.
Sterling said he was deeply touched by “Zhuan Falun,” the guiding book of Falun Gong by the founder Mr. Li Hongzhi. He said he couldn’t say enough about how “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” in the book had helped him give up smoking and drinking. Falun Gong had not only given him excellent health, but also brought him a big spiritual change. He said he became a happier person. He identified with “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance” so much that he wrote these three words in Chinese on his drum to show his concert audience.