(Minghui.org) When I was very young, my mother took me to Fa study with her. I am now a high school student.
In today's China, teenagers have their own minds and stress individuality. They are often rebellious and follow non-mainstream culture. Though I live in such a society, I am not influenced by my peers, nor have I been contaminated. This is because I practice Falun Dafa, and know that I need to live by the principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
I sometimes don't do a good job, but I know it's only my cultivation path. I still have many attachments and human notions I need to eliminate. Falun Dafa has always shown me how to be a good person.
When I was in middle school, I became more like an everyday person because I didn't study the Fa diligently. I was preoccupied with various desires and didn't want to study. As a result, I lagged behind academically when I got to high school, and I regretted it very much.
I began studying the Fa diligently once I reached high school. Though I had a tight schedule, I always squeezed in time to study the Fa when I got home from school. I was very committed, even if I could only study a little bit each day. I did not waste my time on having fun, and my grades improved quickly. I was no longer the last one in my class, but was among the top 30 students. This was because I gained wisdom from practicing Falun Dafa.
I am not very smart, but my grades are better than some who are smarter than me. I am very happy thanks to Master, who has never given up on me.
Many students in my class live in a dorm. They only go home once a month. Toward the end of the month, they often run out of money for food. Since I go home every day and always have extra spending money, they all like to borrow from me.
They sometimes just say, “I have spent all my allowance this month. I will share your meals from now on.” I tell them, “Sure. Not a problem.” Some of my classmates ask, “Why do you let them bum meals off you and not pay you back?” I always reply, “We are all classmates. It doesn't really cost me that much. I can't just let them starve.”
I am rather tall compared to most students in my class, so I was assigned to sit in the back among some guys. Since I didn't study well in middle school, I have a hard time keeping up. When I don't understand something in class, I often ask the students near me.
Sometimes they tease me and say, “How could you not even know this? It's okay. It's normal since you have 'brain damage.'” I would have definitely become upset with them if I didn't practice Falun Dafa. But since I do, I take it as a joke.
It is true that I don't understand the material, so it's okay for them to tease me. I just smile and ask them to explain it. Once they do, I get it right away and am very happy. Everyone likes to help me.
One time the students in my class were asked to join the Communist Youth League. My classmates asked why I would not join. I told them, “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is very corrupt. It has killed so many people. You've seen the yuan bills with the message, 'Heaven will destroy the CCP, withdraw from the Party to be safe' on them. Why would I join the Communist Youth League?”
They asked, “Are you a Falun Gong practitioner?” I paused, braced myself, and said, “Yes. That's right. I believe in it.” Many classmates heard me and asked, “What exactly is Falun Gong? Tell us.” I knew that Dafa had given me courage. I told them the facts about Dafa so they would no longer be fooled by the CCP lies. Maybe one day they can also practice Falun Dafa and benefit from it like I have.
Through the ups and downs over the past ten years or so, I came to understand the Falun Dafa principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Dafa has taught me how to be a good person. I will strive to be diligent and continue cultivating in Dafa.