(Minghui.org) On a bright, Saturday afternoon, a large group of people from all walks of life perform gentle exercise movements in unison at Xinyi Square, the plaza across from the Taipei 101 Building. Among them, a college student, a middle-school teacher, and a retired military officer—each happy to explain what brings them to this weekly Falun Gong practice site.
Falun Gong practitioners' weekly gathering for exercises at Xinyi Square across from the Taipei 101 Building.
In addition to practicing the exercises, participants raise awareness about the persecution of Falun Gong to passersby. Many wear bright yellow Falun Gong clothing to send a clear message, especially to tourists from China. Through this, the tourists can see that Falun Gong is freely practiced around the world, and that the CCP's claims about the practice are false.
Young Woman Gains Wisdom
Ms. Li Jiahong says the practice gave her a sense of calm, and clarity of mind.
Li Jiahong's mother brought home a copy of the book Zhuan Falun during her sophomore year in high school. She told her daughter, “This book is quite popular at my company.”
Intrigued, Ms. Li started reading Zhuan Falun, and couldn't put it down until she finished it. The book moved her to tears, and she had a strong desire to practice Falun Gong.
“Today is the beginning of my new life!” she wrote in her diary. Soon after, she found a group exercise site, and watched the nine-day video lecture series. She began to experience what it meant to cultivate the heart and mind in her daily life.
In her senior year, Ms. Li faced the daunting comprehensive college admission examination. While most students were stressed-out, Ms. Li was relaxed. Each day she made sure to read Falun Gong books and do the exercises, while keeping up with her studies.
She said, “My senior year in high school was my happiest year. Falun Gong opened up my wisdom. I realized that as long as I studied well without pursuing success, I studied more effectively.”
Ms. Li was admitted to the Department of Sociology at Taiwan University, one of the most competitive colleges in Taiwan. After graduation, she took the exam for the Political Research Institute of Taiwan University. Even though she hadn't taken any classes from the Department of Politics, she qualified with just three months of preparation.
Ms. Li said, “Practicing Falun Gong helps me stay refreshed and clearheaded. I'm able to understand the curriculum very quickly. This is a reflection of the wisdom given to me by Falun Gong.”
Ms. Li said that she used to be quite spoiled and rebellious. After she began practicing however, she became considerate and tolerant. Her father, who once strongly objected to her practicing, changed his mind after seeing the positive changes in her.
She said, “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) denies the existence of gods and Buddhas. It destroys traditional Chinese culture, and spreads its Party culture. I would like to tell people how wonderful Falun Gong is and help Chinese tourists realize that many people, including many young people in Taiwan, are practicing Falun Gong. So I feel honored to be a part of these activities.”
Grateful for Another Chance
Mr. Wu Yifan
Unlike Ms. Li, Mr. Wu failed to seize the chance to practice Falun Gong upon learning about it during his freshmen year of high school. After he entered the National Chengchi University, he fell behind in his classes and was eventually dismissed for failing too many subjects.
For Mr. Wu, this was a wake-up call, and it led him to finally take up Falun Gong. He later retook the college admission exams, and was admitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Chiao Tung University, where he is now doing very well.
“After I started diligently practicing, I could deal with many things well. Especially during this past year, the classes have even become easy for me. I think this is because Falun Gong has expanded my wisdom,” he said.
Li Yaping attended a Falun Gong seminar when she was a senior at the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology. She said that as she watched the practitioners do the exercises she felt enveloped in strong energy. She immediately relaxed and felt her stress melting away.
She later heard that a practitioner survived cancer as a result of practicing Falun Gong. Ms. Li thought Falun Gong was miraculous, and said, “This is unbelievable! A dying person recovered. It's living proof that Falun Gong is miraculous.”
Ms. Li said of her own experience with the practice, “I used to be tired all the time. After I started practicing Falun Gong, I became energetic and can do more without feeling tired. I'm no longer pessimistic and have a positive outlook. Falun Gong gave me freedom—freedom from illness and freedom from negativity!”
Life's Questions Resolved
During Mr. Jin Hao's senior year in college in 1998, he got into an argument with a group of classmates when he told them to stop misbehaving. Even though Mr. Jin was stronger than the others, he avoided fighting with them and apologized.
He was still upset over the injustice however, and complained to his mother. She gave him a copy of Zhuan Falun. Through the book, he gained a better understanding of the principles of cause and effect, and learned to search within when facing conflicts. Mr. Jin said, “I believe what Master Li said in Zhuan Falun. I have found the answers to many mysteries which I've wondered about since I was a child.”
Boundless Energy
Middle school teacher Ms. Jin Shuheng breezes through 13-hour work days with calm energy from practicing Falun Gong.
Ms. Jin Shuheng is a teacher at a private middle school. Her colleagues lent her a copy of Zhuan Falun and other Falun Gong books in 2001 and 2002. She read them during break times at school and began to practice daily.
Ms. Jin's colleagues say that her temperament improved. She's now more tolerant and considerate of others.
Ms. Jin said, “I teach many classes. I arrive at school at 7:30 in the morning and leave at 8:30 at night. I used to be completely exhausted every night. However, since taking up Falun Gong, I feel energetic and relaxed throughout the day.”
Boundless Inner Meaning
Retired military officer Mr. Wu Xichang says the teachings of Falun Gong changed him from within.
Wu Xichang has wondered about the purpose of life since he was a high school student. His elder sister introduced Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun to him in the spring of 1999. He joined the group book study sessions to get a deeper understanding.
Mr. Wu said, “Master's lectures are very easy to follow. However, the profound inner meaning is boundless. We can only understand bits and pieces of it when we practice well. My biggest change has been that I used to be very selfish. I now have consideration for others and put others' needs first.”
By sharing their own stories, these practitioners hope to help others. They are especially concerned about their fellow Chinese across the strait, and hope they learn the facts about Falun Gong and the persecution, and see through the CCP's lies.
