December 20, 2001
(Clearwisdom.net) "I hope that through this Fa conference you will better carry out the work of clarifying the truth, exposing the evil, and saving sentient beings." (From "Master to the Second Dafa Conference in Russia") "At present, the most important mission of all Dafa disciples is Fa-rectification, and the crux of Fa-rectification is clarifying the truth." (Clearwisdom.net Editorial, "Clarify the Truth to the Chinese People Comprehensively, in a Deeper and More Refined Way")
Then, what truth should we clarify to the public?
I think we should clarify the truth in the following six aspects:
1. Clarify the truth about Dafa
Teacher points out in "Definitive Conclusion" (Essentials for Further Advancement), "Dafa can rectify the universe, so it certainly has the Fa's power to repress evil, eliminate disorder, harmonize everything, and remain invincible." "The Fa can reveal all attachments, the Fa can eradicate all evils, the Fa can expose and dispel all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts" ("Deter Interference").
"An everyday person is very weak before a cultivator. Today's humans have in fact had tribulations arranged for them by this system of old forces at different levels, and humans have been controlled by the old forces at different levels. This is why they've become so forceful, why they dare to do things to cultivators, and why they dare to be disrespectful to Dafa"("Lecture on the Fa at the Washington D.C. International Conference").
Many everyday people believe the evil propaganda they hear and go along with it, adding fuel to the flames. The Chinese people have historically been accustomed to following orders from authorities, and doing whatever they are told without thinking about it first. Some days ago, I came across two leaders from the Party and government offices who used to be in charge of dealing with Falun Gong issues. I asked them if they knew anything about the contents of Falun Gong, and they said, "Isn't it just what is said in the documents from the Party Propaganda Ministry?" When I told them about the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, they began to see the light and said, "According to what you've said, Falun Gong is not bad. I shall find a copy of Zhuan Falun to read."
On another occasion, after I talked about the principles of Falun Gong to a retired veteran official, he said, "Jiang Zemin is really messing things up. A practice that promotes good health and teaches people to become good can hardly be a threat to the power of the State. I believe his persecution of Falun Gong is only a diversionary tactic that aims to shift the focus away from those domestic conflicts and problems that cannot be resolved."
"Dafa is indestructible." Therefore, when clarifying the truth about Dafa to the public, we should tell them what Falun Dafa really is so as to bring their Buddha natures into play, thus helping them form righteous understandings of Dafa.
2. Clarify the truth about the slander and rumors on TV
When I clarify the truth to people, they often mention things propagated on TV. I tell them that all those things are false and are not the truth. For example, it was said on TV that Falun Gong had a tight organizational structure, but I have been practicing Falun Gong for four years and I have never seen any such organization. No one has ever put any pressure on me. If I want to practice, I practice. If I want to do something else, I'm free to do so. Also, it was said on TV that Falun Gong advocated worship of an individual, referring to one of the movements of the fourth exercise, "moving both hands downward along the mechanism," as worshiping Teacher. How ridiculous! I showed them the movement, and they all said afterwards, "How could such a great nation be managed in such a ridiculous way? We are finished! Truly finished!"
Only by us exposing the evil, dispelling the lies and clarifying the truth, can people see through the nature of the evil and not be deceived by false appearances.
3. Clarify the truth about why Dafa practitioners safeguard the Fa with their lives
Dafa created the universe and all sentient beings. Dafa is much more precious than our lives. When I clarify the truth to everyday people, I often hear such comments as, "If you think Falun Gong is good, then you can practice at home. Why do you have to make trouble in Tiananmen Square?" I told them the reason why Dafa practitioners go to Beijing to appeal, and the reason why they would rather die than say that they would "give up practicing."
Some were still confused with my explanation, so I gave them an example. I said to a lady, "Suppose your father is a good man, but Jiang Zemin insists that he is a bad person. Wouldn't you go to Beijing to ask Jiang why he is saying this?" The lady said, "I certainly would." I asked her again, "Suppose your younger sister did not do anything wrong, but the police sent her to jail anyway. Would you try to find a place to appeal for her?" She said, "Yes, I would."
I then said to her, "That's right. It is the same principle. Our selfless Teacher has disseminated to us a great Fa of high virtues, which has enabled us to change tremendously both in body and mind. In my heart, he is immeasurably more benevolent than my own father. Dafa practitioners are one body, and no matter which practitioner is being persecuted, it is the same as all of us being persecuted. This is why Dafa practitioners go to Beijing wave upon wave to appeal. They are not here to cause trouble, but to exercise their constitutional rights." Upon hearing this, she was sincerely convinced and said, "Dafa practitioners are truly great. What China lacks right now are people who speak the truth. If everybody practiced Falun Gong, there would be no need to fight corruption."
4. Clarify the truth about how Dafa practitioners risk their lives to distribute truth-clarifying materials to save people
Some people have been deluded by rumors and groundless allegations. When they see Dafa truth-clarifying materials, they tear them up without even taking a look. When clarifying the truth to people, I tell them that Dafa practitioners have taken risks to distribute these materials. If caught, they are beaten, detained or sent to forced labor camps; some may even be tortured to death. Then why do they still do this? This is because they have cultivated benevolent hearts, so they see that all sentient beings are suffering, and they want to save them. When people believe Dafa is good, they have laid a foundation for eternal happiness in their lives. If they think negatively about Dafa, then after the Fa-rectification, they will be eliminated. It is out of unselfishness that Dafa practitioners have put aside their own safety to offer salvation to people.
In addition, I also tell them that these truth-clarifying materials have not come easily. Some practitioners have used their meager incomes, some even sold their family belongings at low prices to make these materials. So they should cherish them, and should pass them on to others after reading them. As for those who tear up the materials, we should reason with them and tell them the principle that "good will be awarded with good, and evil will be met with evil."
5. Clarify the truth of the miraculous effects of Dafa
People love listening to stories about celebrities or those around them. So I tell them the cultivation stories of those well-known people inside and outside China, of those people with PhD degrees and other scholars. They said, "If those people with such a high education level also practice Falun Gong, then Falun Gong must be good."
I told them the miraculous stories of some local Dafa practitioners (without mentioning names). They all believed what I told them was true and convincing.
6. Clarify the truth about the special honor Dafa enjoys around the world
When clarifying the truth, we should tell people about the praise and honor that Falun Gong and Teacher have received in many countries around the world, about the wide spread of Falun Gong across the world, as well as the international condemnation of the Chinese government for its persecution of Falun Gong and human rights violations. We should tell them that Falun Gong does not belong only to China, but that it also belongs to the world, and that the whole world knows about Falun Gong. Tell them that all the governments of the world support Falun Gong except for China.
When clarifying the truth to people, we must keep our minds righteous. We should have confidence in those we talk with, and keep sending forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil control over them from other dimensions. We should use the wisdom Dafa has bestowed upon us to clear out the obstructions in various people, and use reason and wisdom to save those whose minds have been poisoned.
The above is my personal understanding. Please kindly point out anything improper.