(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Gong on April 25, 1999, so my personal cultivation synchronized with the beginning of Fa-rectification. Because I completely believe in Dafa and Master, I have never done anything against Dafa or Master throughout the persecution. Every step of my cultivation has relied on Master's protection and my understanding of the Fa.
I did not start cultivation for physical health or other pursuits. The first time I read Zhuan Falun, the principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” attracted me. Before I started cultivation, I was very ego-centric, and had a strong fighting mentality. My attitude came from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) philosophy, “You don't touch me, I don't touch you. If you touch me, I will definitely seek revenge.”
After studying Zhuan Falun, I was amazed how it taught one to be good. It was totally different from other books, and I loved reading it. Although I was not a bad person in society, after reading this book, I found myself far from being a truly good person. Although I did not reach the requirement of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” I longed to be able to make it. Touched by Master's profound teachings, I started cultivation, determined to succeed.
I was studying the Fa at home on the day when the persecution started. A veteran practitioner who knew me was worried about me because I was home alone. He called and told me to watch TV. I did, finding that every channel was broadcasting content that slandered Falun Gong. I had no fear, and I knew how evil the CCP was. My first thought was to buy the books right away, as I knew that the CCP would soon destroy all Dafa books. It was raining that day. I walked into a book store and without hesitation bought several complete sets of Dafa books. The bookstore owner said, “You are already slandered as a cult. How dare you buy the books!” I said, “Why not? These are such good books!”
Although I did not know about truth-clarification at that time, I told everyone I met about how Falun Gong teaches people to be good and brings good health. I also told people about my personal experiences. Despite the tremendous pressure of the persecution, I became more and more determined in my belief in Master and Dafa. I was not afraid at all, because we were good people following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It was my own choice to practice Falun Gong. I knew that Falun Gong was not wrong and that Falun Gong practitioners were not wrong.
During more than ten years of cultivation, besides the physical benefit of not needing any medication for all this time, I also experienced dramatic mental improvements. I changed from being selfish to always considering others first. My relationship with friends, relatives, and neighbors also greatly improved.
A neighborhood committee director lived across from my home. He was a very straightforward person. Soon after I moved in, I clarified the truth about Falun Dafa to him, which he accepted. When he was very ill, I visited him with some gifts and 100 yuan, which he refused to accept. I told him that I wanted him to stay safe and healthy, and wished he would accept the gifts. He knew that I was sincere, so he accepted them.
I told him the facts about Falun Dafa and stories of people being rewarded after saying “Falun Dafa is good.” I also gave him an amulet, telling him to say “Falun Dafa is good,” which could bring miracles. After a period of time, he recovered. He told me happily, “I need to thank Falun Gong. That disease is very hard to cure, even for medical doctors. I was blessed by Falun Gong.” I told him to thank Master. During the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the neighborhood committee specified him to monitor me. But he protected me instead, telling others, “Falun Gong practitioners are all good people. They do good deeds. Why monitor them?”
Whenever our neighbors have difficulties, I always try to help. Among my neighbors, there were officials in the police department, officials in the government, doctors, businessmen… I always overcame my fear to clarify the truth to them and help them to quit the CCP. I nobly did what practitioners should do.
One night, a new resident accidentally broke her key in her door lock. I was studying the Fa at home, when I heard her crying downstairs. I immediately went with a flashlight to help. We were not able to get the key out, so I found the phone number of a locksmith and called him. The locksmith quickly fixed it. The neighbor held my hands and thanked me emotionally, “It is so unusual to see a kind person like you. We don't know each other and I didn't ask you for help, but you came to help me. Thank you so much!” I told her that I was a Falun Gong practitioner and that our Master taught us to always consider others. She said, “Falun Gong practitioners are so kind!” I clarified the truth to her and helped her quit the CCP.
I use my actions to validate the beauty of Falun Dafa whenever and wherever I can. I have always helped to clean up the hallway. When people put their trash out by their doors, I take it to the dumpster. My neighbors have said that I am a good person. No matter who praises me, I always tell them, “I am able to do this only after practicing Falun Gong.”
I clarify the truth throughout my daily life. Whoever comes to my home, whether it is to fix something, take the recycling, or friends or relatives, I always clarify the truth to them and help them to quit the CCP. Whenever I go to supermarkets I clarify the truth to the security officers. I always praise them, “You security officers protect the customers. You are good people, so I must tell you the truth. Falun Gong is a Buddha school cultivation method, teaching one to be good following the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and to consider others first. Do not be deceived by the lies of the CCP. You will be safe after learning the truth.” Almost all of them accepted the truth and happily agreed to quit the CCP.
After understanding the truth about Falun Gong and witnessing the actions of practitioners, the director of the 610 Office in our area said, “All Falun Gong practitioners are good people. Bad people cannot practice Falun Gong well.” Thus our area has been pretty good in resisting the persecution. There has never been any brainwashing center here. When our 610 Office got orders to establish a brainwashing center, they always cleverly resisted it.
Speaking about clarifying the truth, I could go on for three days and three nights. However, there is one incident that touched me the most. Before I started practicing Falun Gong, I had gotten a schoolmate from my home town involved in a pyramid scheme. Eventually we both became victims. Because of this, she hated me very much and did not talk to me for years. One day we ran into each other after we hadn't seen each other for years. She immediately started cursing at me with very dirty words. I looked inward, but could not see why she treated me like this.
I saw her at the market on another morning. I wanted to reconcile with her, so I went over to greet her. This time she was even more fierce and her words were even more vicious. Even the vendors at the market joined her in accusing me. I was very embarrassed and felt wronged. I wondered why she still treated me this way even though I never fought back. When I got home, I continued to look inward. I suddenly found the reason. She had been cursing me all this time, why hadn't I clarified the truth to her? She created so much karma by cursing me because I caused damage to her in the past. I was now allowing her to curse me and create more karma. It was all my fault. I found that the reason that I didn't clarify the truth to her was because I was afraid she would refuse to accept the truth and hurt me. Wasn't this selfish?
So I adjusted myself, brought gifts, and asked another practitioner to visit her with me. I was afraid that she would not open the door if I went alone. When the practitioner asked to see her, she opened the door. Once she saw me at the door, she said, “How dare you come to my home!” and pushed me out, but I managed to get into the room. I had asked the other practitioner not to mention Falun Gong at first, since she might not accept the truth because of her hatred for me.
After my sincere apology, I returned the money that I earned from her years prior in the pyramid scheme. I was very careful with my words. I told her that I did so because I was a cultivator. To my surprise, she replied, “I know you are a Falun Gong practitioner.” I then naturally clarified the truth to her. She accepted what we told her and happily quit the CCP. She asked me to stay for lunch, gave me her phone number, and asked me to clarify the truth to her friends. I knew that my sincere wish for saving people had touched her. Master helped me to resolve the conflict, and once again demonstrated the miracle of Falun Dafa.
I also learned the true meaning of what Master said,
“Cultivation is up to you, gong is up to the master.” (Zhuan Falun)
Master has prepared the paths for us to save people. Success will be ensured if practitioners act with righteous thoughts and compassion. Because I was able to let go of my selfish concerns, a former supervisor of mine, whom I clarified the truth to more than ten times, eventually agreed to quit the CCP.
I recently found that because I spent more time on truth-clarification, I became less diligent in Fa study. From time to time, I was interfered with by some attachments. I learned what Master said,
“There used to be a Buddhist saying, the idea of which was: If you can be like you have just begun, all the way from the beginning to the end, you will surely achieve Consummation.” ("What is a Dafa Disciple")
Master's words encouraged me to be more diligent, carry out my mission, do the three things well, and fulfill my responsibilities.
Thank you Master! Thank you fellow practitioners!
