(Clearwisdom.net) I began practicing Falun Dafa in June 2002. Like so many other practitioners I've made it through all kinds of difficulties with steadfast righteous thoughts and the righteous belief in Dafa and Master's benevolent care. I'd like to share via the Minghui/Clearwisdom website my experiences of being persecuted and twice escaping the evil's den using righteous thoughts and the help of fellow practitioners.
The first time was on January 10, 2003, of the lunar calendar. Three police officers from the county and city departments broke into my home and illegally arrested me. They took me to the town police station. I refused to cooperate with them or write the three statements. Then they transferred me to the county police station, a detention center. and a 610 Office brainwashing center in turn, finally releasing me after 22 days. During my detention they rudely searched me, monitored me around the clock, and left me with nowhere to sleep but the concrete floor. After all this I was physically and emotionally traumatized. At that time some older practitioners managed to secure their release using hunger strikes, and some were released after they yielded. In that terrible place I chose righteous thoughts over a hunger strike.
The second time was on the night of April 4, 2006. Someone reported me to the Dachang Town Police Station in Dachang County because I was distributing truth clarification materials. Three lurking policemen arrested me and took me to the police station. I had Minghui materials, disks of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, adhesive posters, and other materials with me at the time. The policemen confiscated everything, including a bicycle, a bag, a watch, a scarf and gloves. They handcuffed me spread-eagle to two metal beds and deprived me of sleep. They desperately interrogated me, trying to find out where I'd gotten the materials and with whom I was working. I refused to cooperate, so they transferred me to the County Detention Center.
During the next two months more than ten practitioners were arrested. Steadfast practitioners were sentenced to forced labor camps while others wrote the three statements and were released. I saw so many practitioners physically and emotionally ruined, and some were even driven to mental collapse. My heart hurt so much. I considered going on a hunger strike in protest, but an older practitioner told me that dozens of practitioners had recently been arrested, and they'd all gone on hunger strikes. Her husband, also a practitioner, went on a hunger strike for 22 days and was reduced to skin and bones. The police wouldn't release them but sent them all to the hospital for forced-feedings and transfusions. She told me, "You'd better eat."
Hearing her words, I thought: Hunger strikes can make us weak, cause physical problems, and leave us with no time to recite the Fa, send forth righteous thoughts, or clarify the truth to save sentient beings, so is this worthwhile? Only the minions of the old forces are pleased. Only when we study the Fa well and send forth strong righteous thoughts can we disintegrate the evil. The words from Master's "The Master-Disciple Bond" from Hong Yin II, "When disciples have ample righteous thoughts, Master has the power to turn back the tide" appeared in my mind.
"The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts." ("Drive Out Interference" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)
The so-called test of Dafa disciples by the covert helpers of the old forces actually takes advantage of our attachments. I looked inside and found my shortcomings in cultivation. Between the hunger strike, righteous thoughts, and writing the three statements, I chose righteous thoughts for the second time.
After several days the older practitioner said, "The Dafa disciples who went on hunger strikes were very steadfast, but they were sentenced to imprisonment in the forced labor camps. Look at you, on your present course you'll also be sentenced to a forced labor camp." When she said this for the third time I stopped her. I said, "You shouldn't say that. In the first place we are the true disciples of Master. Our hearts are grounded in the Fa, and my mind bears great righteous thoughts. They have as much power as anyone's righteous thoughts. No matter what loopholes I have, the old forces' minions are unworthy of testing me. Because my path has been arranged by Master, I will go where Master asked me to go. I haven't wasted a thought on 'forced labor,' because our path is the most righteous." My words made the old practitioner smile, and she stopped saying those things. I was detained at the detention center for 25 days. Another practitioner also walked out of the evil's den with righteous thoughts and without hunger striking. This helped me realize the importance of righteous thoughts and deeds. Only if we study the Fa well and eliminate our bad things are we sure to succeed.
If I've expressed a mistaken understanding, please correct me.
Finally, I'd like to share with my fellow practitioners Master's poem, "Don't Be Sad" from Hong Yin II:
"Imprisoned as you are,
don't be sorrowful or sad
Carry on with righteous thoughts and actions,
and the Fa is with you
Calmly reflect on the attachments you have
Remove your human thoughts
and evil will naturally die out"
Heshi.
October 24, 2006